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Alex Kidman

Five Peaks Virtual Challenge

I'm taking Canteen's Five Peaks Virtual Challenge...

…a month-long challenge to cover 68km in March - the combined trail distance of Australia’s five highest peaks. 

Plus 2km, because my own OCD likes doing nice round figures for these kinds of things.

If you've followed my running, chances are that you've seen I run in a bandana. Partly to soak up sweat, partly to keep the top of my head as unburnt as possible... and 99.99% of the time, that's been a Canteen bandana.

But Alex, I hear you cry, you're... not exactly a teenager.

Well, yes, that's true... but the reality is that every year, 23,000 young Australians face the mountain that is a cancer journey. 

Whether facing their own cancer diagnosis, or dealing with a loved one’s cancer journey, climbing that peak means feeling isolated, lost, exhausted, and confused.

It’s terrifying, and no one should face it alone. That’s why I’m taking part!

Please sponsor me today and make every km count! 

All funds raised will help young people, facing their hardest climb, get free access to Canteen’s cancer counselling, peer support and specialised in-hospital care.

Thank you for your support!

My Activity Tracking

25
kms

My target 70 kms

Please Help Me
Reach My Goal

Raised

$666

My Goal

$1,000

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$65
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So far, I have conquered

25.0KM

43km until I conquer Australia's five highest peaks

My goal

70.0KM

My Updates

Didn't want to run... but I did it anyway

Monday 10th Mar
Distance to date: 25km
Distance added today: 5km
Time taken: 37:44
Funds raised so far: $614

I had planned on adding more than a few kilometres over the weekend, but a nasty (but seemingly short term) viral bug put a stop to that, and I didn't end up running anywhere at all.

So today's run was more than a bit of a struggle... but struggle I must if I'm going to make it up these virtual peaks! 

While I continue to struggle, you can always (hint, hint) donate to this very worthy cause. I know there are some suggested amounts that may not sit well with some -- that's totally cool, every dollar counts so donate what you can, it's all good!

Early Starts

Thursday 6th Mar
Distance to date: 20km
Distance added today: 5km
Time taken: 41:55

A slower run today, but that's because I started it at 5am, when the lights are very dim and as a result I had to take it a little easier on the public paths I run on. 

Breaking a leg is good form in acting, much less so in running.

Getting to 20km also puts me past Mt Kosciuszko and onto Mt Bartle, where it's likely to be a tad wet and windy over the next few days. 

Just like I'm trying to stay safe on early morning runs, stay safe if you're in that part of the world.

The kilometres add up... all I now need are the donations!

Tuesday 4th Mar
Distance to date: 15km
Distance added today: 5km
Time taken: 36:12

A late afternoon run, not my time of choice but it was bucketing down with rain this morning so that was a non-starter -- and it still managed to rain on me from halfway through my 5km!

So I'm making distance progress, but not fundraising progress... which is where you come in. Yesterday I was in 17th position with a desire to get to 10th or better... and today I'm slipping down to 21st. 

The link is right there; if you can afford to donate, please consider doing so!

Running in the rain

Tuesday 4th Mar

Tackling Mt Kosciuszko, 5km at a time.

Monday 3rd Mar
Distance to date: 10km
Distance added today: 5km
Time taken: 35:39

Saturday's 5km was, by itself, enough to take down Tasmania's Mount Ossa, which means today I move onto Mt Kosciuszko's trails. Oddly enough, this is the only one of the (virtual) peaks that I've actually been on in real life -- albeit that I was much younger, got driven there in a car and a family member wandered around in shorts and a t-shirt in the middle of winter, because we're either hardy or foolhardy like that in my clan -- take your pick.

But while you're being judgemental, don't forget to donate! Many, many thanks to those who have already done so; you've inspired me to keep on running and also to get a little more competitive with my placement in the donation tallies. I didn't realise that Canteen also posts a leaderboard of fundraising -- and right now, as I write this, I'm in 17th position overall... and it wouldn't take a whole lot more fundraising for me to crack the top ten.

Doesn't that sound nice? It's all up to you now -- get to donating!

First 5km? DONE.

Saturday 1st Mar

It all starts on Saturday!

Wednesday 26th Feb
Not that I control that kind of thing, but because Saturday is the 1st of March, and that's when I plan to clock up my first 5km at Galston Parkrun. Come along and join me, or just clap or point and laugh -- but remember to DONATE first!

But wait, there's more! Because I've been running for some years now and totalling up the kilometres as I go, generally 5km at a time. This Saturday, the Alex Exercise Speedometer (tm) clocks over to 5,000km!

Thank you to my Sponsors

$158.25

Pru Quinlan

$105.50

Salvatore Di Muccio

Great work for a great cause Alex. Go you good thing!

$73.85

Paul Wayper

Great running for a great cause Alex - keep up the good work!

$68.58

Alex Kidman

$68.58

Brian Grinter

Good luck!

$65

Miles Goodhew

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$52.75

Allrite

Good on you!

$52.75

Joanna Forbes

Keep conquering those mountains :)

$21.10

Daniel Tyson