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January 26th, 2013

1/26/2013

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27th January (ignore the contrary Post signs, American timing I think)
Feeling orgasmic this morning! Plenty of "Ooh"s and "Aah"s with every step, as my leg muscles scream out. I got there though, 4 hours and 55 minutes, second-to-last guy home, and only 3 full-out biting-the-dusts. What a pain-in-the-ass the trizillion rocks were, as far as trying to crack out a reasonable time goes! I had to slowly reverse down rock faces, on all-fours; and hated all of the downhill sections because I couldn't put them to good use. It's the front-of-leg muscles that hurt most, from all that downhill braking. I had thought of wearing a helmet, and if I ever tried to improve my time I think it would be necessary - and maybe a full suit of armour. I pretty-much ran every metre I could, but that would be way-less than half the distance others can/could.

Still, what grand scenery - if you can walk/are mobile, I highly recommend either/both the Waihohonu Track (26kms from Tukino Rd carpark to Chateau Hotel, crossing the glorious Ohinepango Stream midway), or/and the Taranaki Falls Track (a 6km loop of stupendous scenery, out and back from the Chateau Hotel), all up at the Tongariro National Park.

Well done Angelo, my bus-seat partner on the way to the start-line, a great time of 3hrs 21mins. I need to touchbase with you to find that Mother Theresa quote (no joy Googling it this - sore - morning).

And thanks to the event staff, all concerned about my wobbly gait throughout the run, and at the finish line. I heard staff advising others that "I think he's deaf", which was a new twist on the impact a MND'ers slow, nasally speech, one that also lacked much puff after 26kms, makes on other folk. 
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1/23/2013

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M(i)ND Games

6th January, 2013
If I didn’t already love the world, and life, then perhaps I would say having a supposed death sentence hanging over you like Motor Neuron Disease brings greater appreciation for each (extra) minute on this good planet. 

A definite benefit that MND does bring, though, is the massive challenge. I admit I'm unsure how to beat this disease, but I initially figured I could live with it. When first diagnosed in late '09 (after a year of tests), I immediately put in place a simple, simple plan - plenty of sun (surely ‘life’?), eat healthy, ditch all and any mental stress, while engaging in enough physical stress to remain fit and ‘able’/mobile (and to massage the ego?), and keep on smelling the smallest of roses…..

However, having now 'survived' 3 years – not record-breaking, I know, but tidy when you’re told death could be as little as 6 months away, and on average 2 years from the stage I was at – I'm keen push my boundaries a little. As in, try to do more, particularly ‘good’. Obligate myself a little more, bugger the stress. And in doing so, laugh at my Mistress MND - non-arrogantly - a lttle louder.

And that’s where the real challenge kicks in. Even before diagnosis, when I kept dropping things and my speech slowed-up, I felt plain knackered. A bit shit-house. Now, I often feel fully shit-house! As though I'm completely enveloped in this monstrous globule of dark, super-sticky snot or glue, spat by some huge and unwell overhead creature.     

Every time I stand, that globule is stretched, but never broken - sill affixed in multiple places to the floor. Turn my head towards a small gap, suck in a breath of air. Concentrate, concentrate – walk straight, not as I feel.

So here begins the sporadic and I’m sure tangent-filled tale of very average Tony attempting to step up from his simple, pacifist, and purposefully private “I’m happy to live with MND, providing it doesn’t kill me” plan, to a (just to me) more arduous, 'naff the fatigue', and ‘public’ (by virtue of writing these thoughts) plan/challenge. If I help one other MND'er, directly or indirectly - or anyone - by doing this website, and keeping running, then cool, that's the aim/hope. 

7th January, 2013
I have no plan to write every day, so relax reader! I just wanted to record that after writing the above entry yesterday, I ran 22 kms. Well, not quite – I walked a total of maybe 500 metres to a km while eating my banana and nut bar, plus drinking water, not being able to swallow safely while running (even at my pathetic pace). 3 hours, give or take a few minutes; around 8 and a half minute kms, better described as a stumble!

The last 3 kms were very, very painful; it took 30 minutes or so before I could swallow water without feeling as though I was drowning.

21st January, 2013
In between the 7th and today, I ran 18kms without stopping. Yeehah! It's taken the legs awhile to come right, but today I managed 13kms in 1hr45mins, despite it being bloody hot. And I got down some small gulps of water while still trotting. Handsome! So I'm eyeing up an event this Saturday called the Tussock Traverse, a 26kms jaunt from Tukino around to Whakapapa Village in the Tongariro National Park. Figure if I can trot for at least the more runable parts, and do my best over the rocky stuff, I'll crack 5 hours. Or thereabouts.





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    Tony, age 54, of Taupo. 
    Very happy to converse with anyone, on any subject, by email or text, or over a coffee if you are ever in Taupo.

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