“So what’s next Donna?” This is a question that is being thrown at me repeatedly, from many of you who have been following my Run Donna Run journey. So I thought I’d write this for you all, here goes!
RDR Supporters
I have been so blessed to meet so many beautiful, encouraging, supportive people on this journey that I feel like I have a huge extended family now. My own family and friends have always been there for me, that to me I will always treasure. Now however, I have more special people that are from all over the world that I may never meet in person, but have made connections with through the RDR journey that I will cherish.
Let me start from the beginning of the RDR journey. The idea began on the evening of November 16, 2012. I was walking along Elwood beach on a gorgeous evening when I was passing people on a path that were walking as well as running. I thought to myself, I have been always happy to walk; especially since this was something I was unable to do at the age of 8 years when I had the stroke. So I have since never taken that for granted. But this particular evening I noticed the people running by and I wondered if it were possible that I could do that again. This is something I have clumsily attempted on the odd occasion when I have crossed a road and thought I was going to get run over by a crazy driver…haha…but not very well, thank god they slowed down as I don’t think I could save my life through my ability to only shuffle a few steps, nearly tripping myself over…haha.
So this particular evening I thought; I am going to give this a go! I wasn’t with anybody, so the thought did come to mind ‘What if I fall? Who’s going to catch me?’ but then realising, ‘Don’t be stupid Donna, you’ve fallen plenty of times before and survived! Give this a go!’ So I did! First I started with 20 steps, next was 24, then 25…the last was 30 steps… I didn’t fall but had to stop. I knew I needed help.
So I went home all excited with the idea that I would learn how to run. Well if I managed 30 steps, surely I could increase this. I went home to Deb my housemate and announced as I do, when I think I have a great idea “I just ran 30 steps! I am going to get somebody to train me!…maybe I’ll do a fun run!…maybe I can raise money for a cause!…maybe!…maybe!…”
I don’t know if Deb thought I was crazy at the time, but she smiled graciously anyway, as any good housemate would.
Deb has been a personal trainer in the past, so I put the offer to her first, knowing that she was over the whole personal trainer gig, I asked if she would be willing to help. However, she was busy with other commitments, she declined but suggested to look online for self help training programs …I raced to my PC looking online, feeling overwhelmed at the idea of following some main stream program that did not necessarily suit my needs and knowing that I needed people interaction, not a written program that I found boring and difficult to follow. A thought came to me! Who was that guy that I met at the business seminar I went to in October? He said something about him and his business partner coaching and teaching people to run…
I scurried through my notes from the seminar, as I knew he wrote his name and website down for me and found the gold ticket, so to speak, it was Chris from brewstersrunning.com! I looked at the site and as always went straight to the ‘About Us’ tab to find Shaun Brewster and Chris O’Driscoll. These guys were clearly knowledgeable, qualified and even experienced ultra-runners. So here it began, me writing a carefully written email to see if these guys would help me out.
Less than a half hour after sending this to them, I receive an email back from Shaun:
Hi Donna,
Let’s do it!
I’ll call you tomorrow to discuss it further.
It would be our pleasure to help you and the thousands of people that you will help.
Looking forward to working with you.
Shaun Brewster
Wow! That was quick!
The idea of running a marathon was not even close to my plans for a fun run to raise funds for the Royal Children’s Hospital. This idea came from Shaun in the first phone conversation that I had with him, before he even met me in person and saw how I even walked, let alone run. I thought this guy was crazy, but at the same time I could sense his enthusiasm and willingness to help me and I was appreciative of that.
The words that have always stuck in my mind from that phone conversation with Shaun are “Donna, anyone can run a marathon, it’s all to do with your mindset.” These words have stuck like glue in my mind for the last 11 months.
So as crazy as it may have sounded to my family and friends at first, when announcing that I was going to run a marathon in October, 2012. This was a belief that I held in my mind that I could and would be doing. Bring it on!
So I shared my plans with my good friend Steph who is a super creative woman and more knowledgeable at social media ‘stuff’ than I am. We had worked together on a fundraising project in the past that she had created so I knew she had experience to help. Steph was very excited and even emotional when I told her and gladly hopped on board the RDR team journey, being the chief photographer, social media queen and incredible support and friend. Thanks HEAPS Steph!
So began the roller-coaster journey of the Run Donna Run campaign.
Brewster’s Running has been incredible with their support, coaching, advice and friendship. I will be forever grateful for their belief in me, especially to Shaun for helping me through even some tough personal challenges along the way.
Many of you know the reasons of my challenge. Yes, it is a HUGE personal challenge. It was also to raise funds for the RCH that I will be forever grateful for (saving me from the serious life threatening condition I was in from the stroke and diabetes type 1). My parents were told by doctors that I would never walk again.
The goal was to also use my story to encourage and inspire others. I of course had You as another reason to keep going, the wonderful support from all that followed my journey and encouraged me along the way, I just couldn’t let you down.
Brian and Eli
Another special reason to do this challenge was for my brother Brian, my brother who was always so encouraging of everything I did including my marathon challenge, sadly passed away in March this year from cancer, he was so brave and fought to the end. You may have noticed I wore a black arm band on marathon day and had BRIAN written on my arm, this made me strong and helped get me across the line. I was crossing the finish line for Brian. I miss him every day.
As any marathon runner would know and I hear this a lot, running a marathon is a mental game. There ups and downs, but I was so lucky to have a wonderful team with me Shaun, Chris and John, who I will be forever grateful to have in my life. We also picked up an amazing woman along the way in Albert Park, Athena who stuck with us, thank you also. There are too many words that I cannot even put together in this blog, to acknowledge my appreciation for their efforts on the day. I am saving it for them personally.
The amazing support along the way on the day of the marathon, I need to make special mention to. These are the people who ran alongside me through some tough times, both for me and the crazy weather 🙂 or those who waited to see me pass on the track: Neil Sjostrom, Annitta Macauley, Thomas Macauley, Neetha Nambiar, Will Woods, Laura Scott, Rebecca and Scarlett Hughes, Carla Campisi, Matt Morrison, Peter Iorlano, Carolyn, Matt, Flynn, Oliver and Isla Tiley, Enisa and Trevor Kasar, Kate Jayne and Abbey O’Driscoll. It was wonderful to have your smiles with me even through all of that crazy weather.
The end result was amazing for me. Running on the MCG has always been the image in my mind on the day and even when training for those 11 months to keep me motivated. I JUST made it before the cut off time in 6:53:15 (cut off time being 7 hours) but I did it!
The Power is in Me
There were an awesome bunch of people who waited there for me including family, friends and even my new extended family of RDR supporters, it was amazing and I will be forever grateful for everyone’s support both on the day and all who have followed me online. Thank you! Thank you!
So, getting back to the original question? “What next?” I am still pumped and on a high from my achievement. I will still keep running, as I always say “there’s always room for improvement” and I want to better myself.
I haven’t set another huge challenge yet; I think I still would like the time to enjoy this moment before rushing into something else. I hope you can appreciate that.
I still have media interest even after the event and am being asked to speak at different events, which I love to do, as I want to encourage others to ‘Do!’
The fundraising hasn’t ended; I have a goal to raise $50,000 for the RCH ‘Wish List’ and this I will continue to do. You can help by going to http://rchfoundation.com.au/donna_campisi No matter how small or big your donation, it all is greatly appreciated.
The RDR website and facebook page will still continue to give you updates on what we are up to as well as let you know of any events that come up.
The message through all of this just in case you haven’t heard me say “There’s no such thing as can’t…” and “The Power is in YOU.”
Forever grateful,
Donna
rundonnaran 