LOOK UP LOOK FORWARD

Together, let's raise awareness and money to help people stay connected while disconnected through Covid-19 and beyond.

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 On the 3rd October 2020, I'll be running a hill repeatedly in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia to climb an elevation equivalent of Mt Everest being 8,848 metres, in the hope I can raise awareness and the same value in donations of $8,848 to support people throughout Australia having a difficult time coping with the pressures of our new way of life.

 

8,848m - $8,848

 

Together we can make it happen!

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Why am I doing this?

 

Apart from the fact I love to challenge myself physically and mentally beyond my beliefs, Vanessa and I know first hand what impacts on life ill mental health has on an individual and the people around them. 

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Vanessa's Dad and my Mum have suffered moderate to severe mental health issues all of their adult life. As a child growing up in this environment it was seen as the 'norm' and we didn't know any different.

 

We saw a dependancy and addiction to prescription medication, with a poor diet and no exercise and little self worth. Sure there were moments of love, affection and laughter in the family but this was often overshadowed with sadness, anger, lack of control and depression. We didn't know any different.

 

In 2015, Vanessa's mum was diagnosed with early onset dementia at the age of 56 and at this time underlying mental health issues were uncovered. She hid her sadness from us, shielded us from what was going on so as not to bother us, which we can't help but feel responsible for. If only we could helped earlier, would her life be any different? Vanessa and I question every day what we could of done to change or alter the course of these events.

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In light of the above, this is a small physical and mental challenge I'll undertake compared to the many challenges people in the community are facing right now. From losing their small business and life savings that went with it, to not being able to see loved ones who may be in different states or aged care. Unemployment, domestic violence and suicide numbers are some of the worst statistics we will see in our lifetime. 

 

I've chosen the Human Connection Project to partner with on this 8 week journey, a small organisation with big dreams of becoming Australia's largest proactive mental health and human connection lead organisation.

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Human Connection Project.png

'The Human Connection Project is a not-for-profit social enterprise working to become Australia's largest proactive mental health and human connection lead organisation. 

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Their vision is to help and empower people to become more resilient and empathetic individuals with stronger connections to their community.

 

The act of connecting as human beings has diminished over the years due to the influx of incredibly busy lifestyles and greater time constraints, the false sense of connection we get from social media, and the rapid and constant change in the way we communicate with each other. 

 

From this human disconnection, we have seen an incredibly alarming increase in mental illness, in particular, the issue of suicide. Social and human connection is fundamental, we not only need it to survive, we need it to thrive in life.'

 

Event Shirts Available

 

Order by Wednesday 23rd September

at connection.org.au here

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The Human Connection Project in partnership with Kustomize it are printing shirts for event day, Order by Wednesday 23rd September to get your shirt on the day. If postage is needed let me know and we can arrange. Here's me being directed by Vanessa to try and look cool modelling one fresh off the press!

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$20 of every shirt sold goes to the charity towards our $8,848 target!

 $3,761.00*

*amount donated based on known donations directly through paypal and with the charity as well as tracked donations via the facebook fundraising page which can be accessed here

Amount raised to date

The link above is donating via Paypal through facebook. By donating here it helps us keep track of the running tally.

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If you do not use facebook, you can donate direct with the charity here.  or go to https://www.connection.org.au/support-us Please let the charity know by emailing connect@connection.org.au of your donation so we can track it against this fundraiser, thank you!

What is Everesting

For what's become a global phenomenon, the team at EVERESTING put it simply:

“FIENDISHLY SIMPLE, YET BRUTALLY HARD. EVERESTING IS THE MOST DIFFICULT CLIMBING CHALLENGE IN THE WORLD.”

The concept of Everesting is fiendishly simple: Pick any hill, anywhere in the world and complete repeats of it in a single activity until you climb 8,848m – the equivalent height of Mt Everest. Complete the challenge on a bike, on foot, or online, and you’ll find your name in the Hall of Fame, alongside the best climbers in the world.

 
Mount Everest

8 WEEK TRAINING JOURNEY

Week one - 10th to 16th August

Training stats

Distance: 100km

Elevation: 2,328m

Hours: 13 hours

Weight: 78.2kg

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Building - 3 week block

Here we go! 1st week of focused training for Mt Everest. I'm really no stranger to training and juggling other life responsibilities. However adding in the journaling and content producing to raise awareness and donations for The Human Connection Project made me appreciate the need for rest!

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Training get's done, but has to fit in with my 9-5 job at Konica Minolta, running coaching Fit Tribe Oz athletes, run the run club at FitazFK (pun intended) but above all of that my family responsibilities like school and kindy pick up/drop off, Maya's netball, keeping house, general family and some 'us' time with Vanessa, which we definitely don't get enough of!

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What a week, on to the next one to do it all again!

Jamie.

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Week two - 17th to 23rd August

Training stats

Distance: 111km

Elevation: 3,486m

Hours: 14:30 hours

Weight: 77.2kg

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Building  - 3 week block

Alright we made it through week 2! Well I didn't have too many doubts. However it was touch and go getting a few workouts and runs in this week as Emily our 4 year is creating a habit of crawling into our bed throughout the night and using my face to rest her feet! Needless to say sleep has been difficult to find most nights!

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The sun is waking earlier so it's a little easier to get pre dawn sessions in, something I favour as it doesn't impact on family or work time. The lead up to this event is really about time on feet and getting stronger climbing hills. On my easy runs around home I'm looking for streets on an incline and the strength work in the gym isn't too dissimilar to what i'm used to, although I am focusing more on unilateral (single leg) strengthening exercises like single leg deadlifts and squats.

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This is week 2 of a three week building block, increasing distance and elevation each week.

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I had some great conversations with supporters of this journey with Ralph from Trixfi, Phill from Beartrap and Nik from Edge, we have some ideas for event day to make it a little more interesting, until then. Stay tuned!

Week three - 24th to 30th August

Training stats

Distance: 130km

Elevation: 3,708m

Hours: 16 hours

Weight: 76.4kg

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Building - 3 week block

Hello week 3, I knew you were going to go hard on me and that you did. What a big week!  I look back on the week just gone and still try and understand how I can fit it all in.

 

Work has more pressure now that business has improved in confidence, It's gradually warming up with Spring knocking on our door. I was even fortunate enough to get a swooping by a neighborhood butcher bird this week! 

 

I had to get a solid run in on Sunday to build on the last two week, with one of Emily's friends having a birthday party at 9am, Sunday morning so a 3am start on the trails in Mt-Cootha. It's a hard decision to make at the time, but runs like this condition the body and mind to work under fatigue for endurance racing, so it's worth getting in.

 

Maya is joining me on some more runs lately with the distance gradually increasing. She is definitely getting faster on her bike, I try to tie some of my sessions in with the girls throughout the week to get some time with them and get the workout done at the same time. Sometimes it works, other times it's just a lot of laughter!

 

Filming has started with Trixfi and I'm excited to see how all this unfolds over the coming weeks. Thanks for following, on to week 4!

Week four - 31st August to 06th September

Training stats

Distance: 104km

Elevation: 2,172m

Hours: 12:30hrs

Weight: 76.5kg

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Reset week

So we are into week 4 in preparation of climbing Mt Everest ⛰. It was a week to reset and ‘lay off’ the intensity a little before another couple weeks of building. Speed work, hill work and strength in the gym all stil play a part however I deload slightly to realign the body and mind. It’s still a high speed hustle though compared to most training weeks as we are very specific and targeted towards climbing the tallest mountain in the world.

 

I caught up with the team at K2 Base Camp, an adventure store based in Fortitude Valley in Brisbane who offered great advice and fitting of shoes specific to the purpose of utra distance run events with constant elevation change. We settled on the La Sportiva Jackal shoe which will get a solid test next weekend. 

 

This quote resonated with me well this week

 

’Things may come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who hustle’ Abraham Lincoln

 

Stepping into the darkness for week 5 and 6 they are big weeks ahead! I’ll see you on the other side! 

Week five - 07th to 13th September

Training stats

Distance: 153km

Elevation: 4,249m

Hours: 19:30hrs

Weight: 76kg

Building - 2 week block

Week 5! Still in one piece. Coming into week 5 I new was going to be a physical and mental battle. It was programmed to be my biggest week of training in leading up to this event. It actually turned out to be my biggest week of training in my history of running...period! 

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Ok so if I was an elite athlete doing this full time this type of load would be sustainable. But I'm a family man, have a full time job and all responsibilities that come with being me day to day, so this is seasonal training specific this event. Next week will be similar, then I'm definitely looking forward to pulling it back before the big dance. 

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In three weeks we are conquering Everest!!!

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'It isn't the mountains ahead to climb that wear you out; it's the pebble in your shoe'

Muhammad Ali

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Week six - 14th to 20th September

Training stats

Distance:

Elevation:

Hours:

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Building - 2 week block

Week seven - 21th to 27th September

Training stats

Distance:

Elevation:

Hours:

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Taper week

Week eight - 28th September to 04th October

Training stats

Distance:

Elevation:

Hours:

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Event week

 

Trail running - what's not to like!

 
Mountain Goat Trail Runners

Corporate Sponsors and Supporting Partners

Edge Electrolytes Logo - 201909 - Black.
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Event details

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The trail of choice at this stage is Scorpion Trail in Mt Coo-tha, a popular running and hiking trail in Brisbane, with a steep 1 kilometre climb to the summit from the creek bed at the bottom. The trail head of scorpion meets Sir Samuel Griffith Drive making it convenient to set up a checkpoint at the top of the trail. I plan on starting around 2am Saturday morning, with an estimated finish time of 7pm,  an event is set up on facebook HERE for October 3rd, come run a lap or two with me!  

Mt Cootha Trail

174 metre elevation per climb

Strava Scorpion Trail

2.06km round trip

Mt Cootha lookout

51 laps - 105km's

Instagram Feed

There will be regular updates and announcements on IG. Look forward to connecting!

Got some question? Here's some answers

Q1: Great cause! I've donated, how else can I help?

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A: The Human Connection Project would love to hear from you! They run many programs including group community walks and school mentoring programs. contact them for more information.

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Also, are you a business that wants to get behind to support this initiative? Contact me on jamie@fittribeoz.com.au for a chat.

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Q2: Can I run as well? At the event or training?

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A: Absolutely, hit me up on the socials or fill out the contact form below. I'd love some company on some training runs and on event day. Even if it's just for a lap or two, you are welcome. I'm launching a facebook event in the coming days so keep an eye out there for updates

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Q3: I'd like to chat to someone about my mental health and support, not sure where to go.

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A: There are many supporting organisations that are there for everyone, no matter your background or situation. Mental Health Australia have a comprehensive list of organisation and contact details on their website here

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Q4: I'd love to get into running, but don't know where to start, can you help?

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A: Music to my ears! There are so many running clubs around, two great Brisbane based clubs are: 

Queen Street Run Crew hosted by Lululemon, 5:30pm Wednesday nights, suitable for beginners

Mountain Goat Trail Runners 7:15pm every Wednesday night on Brisbane and Gold Coast Trails

FitazFK Run Club every Tuesday and Thursday mornings 6:15am in Capt Burke Park Kangaroo Point, free for gym member's or get your free 7 day gym trial to join in and test it out

OR

Get in touch with me - jamie@fittribeoz.com.au if you need help finding a run club in your local area to get started

Like what you've read and keen to help? Click below to donate to the

Human Connection Project