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Heidi Nash-Smith
Heidi's Marathon Effort for the Heart Foundation
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Hi all
On 3 November 2013 I ran my first marathon, the New York Marathon, to raise much needed funds for the Heart Foundation. My goal was to (1) complete the marathon and (2) raise at least $7,500 for this great charity. I am very happy to report that thanks to your support I was able to achieve both of these goals!
Running the New York Marathon was, without a doubt, one of the most amazing experiences of my life. Crowds of people line the streets the entire way, shouting words of support, giving you high fives as you run past. It lifts you and distracts you from the mammoth effort of running. The marathon starts on Staten Island and before the start gun fires, they belt out Frank Sinatra's New York New York. You start the run feeling inspired and ready to take on the challenge that awaits.
It goes without saying that its hard work, that there are moments where you just feel exhausted. But you battle on, helped by the other runners, the spectators and the many people back home who believe in you, have supported you and who do not doubt that you will complete the marathon.
I was able to complete the marathon in 3 hours 47 mins and 8 seconds which was much quicker than I had hoped! I am very lucky that everything just seemed to fall into place and I was able to enjoy the experience. I'm pretty sure I was grinning from ear to ear for the first 25kms - and the last 10kms!
I absolutely loved running the New York Marathon. The experience for me was made so much better because I ran it for charity. A year ago I could not have imagined I would be able to raise over $9,000 for the Heart Foundation. I have been blown away by the support you have all given me, not only by donating to this great cause, but encouraging me to take on the challenge in the first place, helping me to think of fundraising ideas and then enthusiastically coming along to support them! Thank you.
Heart disease affects 2 out of 3 Australian families and claims an Australian life every 11 minutes. It is also the number one killer of Australian women. I was shocked to learn that four times as many women die of heart disease than breast cancer and that 90% of Australian women have at least one risk factor, such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure or family history.
The Heart Foundation is working hard to change these statistics. The Foundation aims to reduce cardiovascular-related health and disability by funding world class research, informing and educating the public and helping people who have heart disease by promoting treatment and rehabilitation.
Your donations will aid the Heart Foundation's vital research, education and support projects and as a result, you are helping to save many lives in NSW and beyond. Thank you for helping me make a difference.
TRAINING UPDATE
It has been a great year of training! I completed 3 half marathons this year - the Sydney Half, Gold Coast Half and Blackmores - achieving a PB of 1:39:08 along the way. I was also able to get a new PB for the City2Surf - a 14km run from Sydney CBD out to Bondi Beach. Clearly the training has been paying off! Stepping up the training from 18km runs to 32kms was tough, but I did it! I have to give particular mention to Lucian Hiss and Vicky Doneska who have come out on numerous training runs with me and helped keep me motivated - thanks guys!
How your donations help:
A $25 donation can pay for one of the most basic lab tools necessary for understanding how heart cells work (a key element to preventing and treating heart disease) - a petri dish.
A $40 donation can help a researcher isolate blood cells which can be used to study blood clots. Understanding blood clots and how they can be removed or prevented is key to treating heart attack and stroke.
A $100 donation can pay for a DNA test to help determine the genetic factors that are important in heart disease. This knowledge can help identify people at high risk of heart disease, and lead to new, innovative treatments.
A $500 donation can pay for an MRI scan which allows researchers to examine damage and abnormalities in the structure and function of the heart.
Thank you for your support!
Heidi
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Heart Foundation
The Heart Foundation is Australia's leading heart health charity and is the largest non-government funder of lifesaving heart research in the country. We work to improve heart disease prevention and care for all Australians. Heart disease is the single biggest killer of men, women and children and the Heart Foundation relies on the generosity of everyday Australians to be able to continue its important work. We aim to improve the heart health of all Australians and to reduce disability and death from cardiovascular disease through comprehensive research, education, awareness and support programs.
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