THANK YOU ALL!

OMG - It is with much sadness that the 2012 Namib Desert Challenge is over. After being 'disconnected' from the 'world' for the last week I have come back to find not only a MASSIVE amount of donations that have been added towards SOSA; but also incredible words of encouragement and support. I cannot describe to all you amazing people how much that means to me - words really don't suffice. Thank you all so so so so much for your generosity and support; for keeping tabs on my progress, for being interested in the event, just for everything. I have learnt so much, experienced trials and tribulations galore and survived - yay :) ... Having 'tasted' the world of adventure racing/ultrarunning/challenges has left me very 'hungry' for more.... will keep everyone updated with the 'next' experience on the list.... :)

I will put together a race report etc. when I return but again, thank you all so much for your support.

Will keep everyone posted and provide further updates upon my return to Aus.

Jo :)

Thank you to The British Workingmens Club!!

Thank you to the British Working Men's club for facilitating the Saturday Night Rock and Roll raflle - the support of all jumpin n jiving rockers helped to raised $400 towards SOSA. THANK YOU!!

Physiozone Rocks and Thank you Road Runners!!

The world is really full of amazing people - Thank you so much Marion Turner, the world's best physio and Physiozone (www.physiozone.com.au) for your sponsorship! Also Ben Hockings and the amazing running community for your fundraising ideas. Really really appreciate all the support and help with the Namib Challenge and fundraising efforts!!

Thank you Salisbury City Council!

Thank you Salisbury City Council for your amazing sponsorship towards the Namib Desert Run!!! Sincere appreciation for supporting the members of your community. Thankyou!! :D

Yurrebilla 2011 56 km Ultra

Progress Update:
Had the honour of participating in the Adelaide's main ultramarathon, the Yurrebilla 56 km trail race this Sunday. Was an EXTRAORDINARY event; commencing at Belair Railway Station in the south, the trail climbs 1865 metres and descends 2060 metres before it reaches its destination at Ambers Gully, Athelstone. The weather was perfect for the event and the running community was absolutely awesome. Amazing support by all the volunteers, organisers and fellow runners. Managed to win first place female and third overall all as well as the 'queen of the mountain' award - SUPER STOKED.
The hills were great preparation for sand dunes to encounter in Namibia...
Thank you so much to everyone for all your supportive comments - they provided me with an overwhelming amount of strength :)

Thanks Athletes Foot!

Thank you Athletes Foot Elizabeth for the awesome anti-blister socks - very much appreciated by my feet :D

Thank you Bikram Yoga Adelaide

Thank you Amy for your fantastic dontation on behalf of Bikram yoga Adelaide!

Amazing training facility - especially in getting ready for that Namib Desert heat :D

60 km Saturday Run

Saturday's training complete - 60 km backpack run through the beautiful 'burbs' of Adelaide... followed by a much needed Bikram sweat session...
Love it!!!

Adelaide Marathon 42 km Done

Woo hoo - Today's long run was the Adelaide Marathon, 42 km of beautiful springtime weather for a fantastic run with a great show of fellow runners. Another km closer to the ultimate goal :)...

Thank you 'Tshirts R Us'

Big thank you to 'Tshirts R Us' Elizabeth for providing me with a custom running top - love the local support, Thank you! :)

Thank you Jacqui and Di

Thank you Jacqui and Di - Two beautiful ladies who made very generous contributions to SOSA! Amazing :)

Thank you Global Fitness Institute

I would like to send a HUGE thankyou to Global Fitness Institute (GFI) for sponsoring my preliminary registration fee for the event!! The dream is now becoming a reality!

THANKYOU!!
www.global-fitness.com.au

The Challenge Begins...

Hi All!!
The next challenge has officially been set....
What am I doing?
On March 26-30th 2012 I will be embarking on the Namib Desert Challenge, a 220km multi-day extreme endurance footrace where competitors test themselves against the elements. The five day event involves exposure to extreme heat, rugged terrain, rocky-mountains, the famous Sesriem Canyon, culminating by summiting two of the highest dunes in the world, namely Dune 45 and “Big Daddy".

Why am I doing this?
Because I am blessed to be in a position to choose what I do with my life and follow my dreams and passions. Unfortunately there are many out there that due to intellectual disability are never given the opportunity to follow and honour their dreams. It is only thanks to charities such as Special Olympics Australia that intellectually disabled athletes are able to realise their amazing potential. So in honour of these athletes I embrace this challenge with a hope of raising money with the help of all you lovely people which we will donate to Special Olympics South Australia on completion of the endeavour.

How can you help?
Simply by making any donation, however small, to support this effort and therefore charity. All money raised via this site will be donated to Special Olympics South Australia. If you can’t aid financially I would be honoured to receive any moral support or hear inspirational stories about your experiences which I can draw on when running under the blistering Namibian sun.

To do this event I will also be searching for Sponsorship. If anyone would like to sponsor me to complete this challenge or recommend any companies/individuals/organisations who would be interested in providing any form of support (financial/equipment/flights/advertising etc.) please let me know. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you all!