For Mum
In February my mum passed away from cancer. Like so many families, ours felt the weight of this disease far too closely. Losing her has made me reflect on how widespread cancer is. Nearly one in two people will be diagnosed by the age of 85. That’s a statistic that affects almost every family in some way.
In July I’ll attempt something that feels suitably ridiculous: running the SUM50 Ultra Marathon in Sydney which is 51 km long and has over 1,500m of elevation! I’ve never run a half marathon, let alone a marathon, so this feels like a suitably ambitious stretch goal.
For me, the journey is just as important as the race. I started training earlier this year and I’m slowly building toward July. By the time the event arrives there will have been around 1,000 kilometres of training, much of it out in nature. This is something Mum always loved.
This run is my way of turning grief into something positive. Pushing my own limits while helping support the fight to beat cancer through research and treatment.
If you’re able to support the cause with a donation, I’d be incredibly grateful. Every contribution helps move us closer to a future where far fewer families have to go through what so many do today.
With gratitude,
Rupert
My Updates
700 kms of training complete!
Monday 25th MayIt’s funny. I usually look forward to training right up until the moment the alarm goes off. Then it’s dragging myself out of bed, half asleep, putting on shoes in the dark, making some quick food and heading out alone before sunrise.
Most of my weekday runs are still just laps around a field. No music. Just repetition. I’ve been doing that deliberately to keep shin splints under control and to focus on cadence and efficiency to minimise injuries. The good news is that it’s working. I’ve now gone weeks without injury, which honestly feels like one of the biggest wins so far.
Training is starting to shift now from simply building fitness to fine tuning for the race. I’m beginning to work on the smaller details, trail poles, more trail running, nutrition, hydration and trying to get everything properly dialled in before race day.
That said, after finishing an 18 kilometre long run recently, the reality of running 51 kilometres still feels a very long way away. But that’s part of the challenge. You don’t really know if you can do something like this until you commit and give it a go.
“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” — Winston Churchill
And another one that keeps ringing true during training:
“The moment you want to quit is the moment you need to keep pushing. The pain you feel today will be the strength you feel tomorrow.”
Thanks again to everyone supporting me and donating to the Cancer Council. It genuinely helps on those dark early mornings when motivation is running a bit low.
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300 training kms complete this year
Wednesday 25th Mar Id like to start with a HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who has helped me raise $1,170 so far. Id also like to say a heartfelt thanks to all the kind words of sympathy ive received as well as words of encouragement.Thank you to my Supporters
$211
Rupert Townsend
$106.12
Laura Greenan
You can do anything you put your mind to! You're like a dark wizard in that way... :-P
$106.12
Ollie Salman
Good on ya mate
$106.12
Liz Mathews
Good Luck Rupert, your mum would be proud.
$100
Tanya Norton
$55.18
Thomas
A wild undertaking! Perfect fit for you mate. Good Luck!
$54.12
Matthew Ellison
$54.12
Christian Malouf
Your a legend mate! Typical you ALL IN! Did the same in memory of my dear old dad for the 24 CTS its a wondeful feeling. Good luck my friend and Fuck Camcer!
$54.12
Tobi Kingsley
Go get em tiger
$54.12
George Lamb
Awesome effort buddy. A charity and cause close to your heart. I know you’ll smash it 👊
$54.12
Malathi Kingsley
Commendable, all the best Rupert.
$54.12
David Tait
$54.12
Raj Pathak
You are doing amazing. Keep up the great work and finish strong
$54.12
Roger Chapman
$54.12
Natalie Wilson
Love, love, love that photo of you and your Mum Rupert. What a fitting and meaningful tribute to her and such a worthy cause. Well done and good luck!
$54.12
Yy Kwon
go the floppy hair
$50
Samantha Fergus
Best of luck! I’m sure you’ll do an incredible job and make a real impact. Remember to never miss a Sunday long run.
$27.83
Rob H
Good luck!!
$27.81
Bhaskaran V G
Great Rupert! Your Mom will be with you always. All the very best!! :-)
$25
Rob Burns
Good on you Rupert! Good luck and all the best
