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Running for Cambodia

  • Update for 10/07/2012

      10 July 2012

    Hi Friends Well as you'll all know from my annoying facebook updates, this year began with a desire to do something different and to raise money for Samnang Thang a guide in Cambodia who is teaching his village English, so they can then have a better future. To do that I set myself the challenge to run 12 half marathons in 6 months and I then I thought I may as well throw a cheeky marathon in the mix too. All was going well, travelling the country to different runs, going through the highs and lows of running training and after completing 11 half marathons in 4 months - the ultimate low - injury. Wahhhh - it was my worst nightmare - I tried to roll with the punches and remain positive but after an x-ray, an MRI, physio, two podiatrists, crutches, moon boot and countless hours in the poll aqua jogging - I made it to the Gold Coast to run the marathon but had to watch from the sidelines as just limping the 5 minutes to the spot to cheer people on was my big achievment for the day. So, alas, after a few pity parties for one and countless hours trying to figure out how I was going to reconcile with myself that I hadn't achieved what I wanted I thought - If I can count back to when I ran the Kerikeri half marathon last year and make that my first half, it means I completed 12 half marathons in 6 months and 1 day... Does it count!? I don't know... and I am probably the only one that cares but all I wanted to say was thank you thank you for all your support over the last few months I appreciate it immensely and for all of you that have given to my cause I am indebted. I can't wait to get over to Cambodia to give all the money raised to Samnang Thang - I will definitely be sharing photos and stories with you! The best news is - no more annoying running updates, no more ""no sorry can't make it to dinners/party/drinks/anything that was a good time as I have a run tomorrow! I am proud to say I am more than happy to back dining in restuarants and drining at bars and not just running past them. It was an amazing journey and if you would still like to help my friend Samnang Thang in Cambodia that would be incredible Thanks so much, you've been amazing friends and honestly if you want to go aqua jogging..... I will be in the pool for a few more weeks yet. Anna

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  • Update for 01/05/2012

      1 May 2012

    A bit about Samnang Thang: Sam is a guide in Siem Reap. My friends and I met him when he took us around the temples at Angkor Watt, to the floating villages and event to a Cambodian Discotheque. Being a guide is getting increasingly difficult as there are more and more people competing for the tourists. When guiding is low Samnang lives with his family in a village 18km from Siem Reap. There he teaches his friends and family English. Samang Thang is able to do this as when he was a child he used to sell books to tourists for half the day and so he could pay for school fees and then he would go to school from late afternoon into the evening.? Sam is 26 years old. He is single with no children.? There are about 500 families (around 3200 people) in his village. 70% are people under 25 and less than 10% are at high school now. Samang Thang would like to build a school in his village where he can teach English and Tourism skills to benefit the younger generation - for free! He would like to get foreigners to volunteer at the school as well as work there himself. School is normally very expensive and with no public trasport from his village it is very hard for children to get to. The money raised would go towards more education for Samanag Thang in English and Tourism as well as supplies for his school and a motorbike so he and villagers can easily travel to and from the village to the city. As a result of the teaching Sammang Thang has already done, students of his have been able to get jobs in local restaurants. He is delighted by this success and is keen to keep growing what he is already doing.? Every dollar I raise will go straight to Samnang Thang. I am paying for all my race entries, travel and accommodation. I will also pay for myself to fly to Cambodia so I can make sure that the money is properly used. I hope you can help me help Samnang Thang and his villagers

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  • Update for 01/05/2012

      26 March 2012

    You've heard me talk about my fundraising ambitions and I have shared stories from my running adventures - ?finally here it is - the website! Please help me raise money for Samang Thang... and support me in achieving my goal of 12 half marathons in 6 months and of course the Gold Coast Marathon on 1 July to round it all off.? Acheived so far: Nelson Lower Hutt Pukekohe New Plymouth Cathay Pacific Auckland Coatesville Great Southern Lakes, Wanaka Tauranga Rotorua and the last 3 to go.... Blenheim Huntly Christchurch plus the marathon, Gold Coast Marathon on July 1 Excited!

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