What makes us do the things we do? How often do we get asked this question? Do we even ask ourselves? hmmm We do what we do because we have the passion? A goal? To have meaningful lives? Perhaps fear of life passing us by? Boredom? Bottom line- we all have our own reasons and they will probably fill tons of webpages. I guess deep inside, there is this force that propels us to do the things we do and become the people we are. The force within…sounds Yoda-ish.
Anyhoo…let me weave a tale for you starting with the setting. Picture breathtaking majestic snow capped mountains with sheer drops that could easily snap any mortal’s puny neck. Unforgiving wonders of nature. One in particular stands out. The white mountain – Mont Blanc. The event – The North Face Ultra Trail a most gruelling and punishing 98 kilometre ultra trail race across Courmayeur Champex Chamonix. Not for the faint-hearted I assure you dear readers. Neither is it one to compete in without months of well planned preparation and training even for an amateur runner. The plot of our tale: An ordinary traveller named Peter wanting to discover if he has what it takes to run this excruciatingly tough race for the very first time. But more than that, he wants it to be more meaningful and so he has decided to run the race for Malaysian children born with facial lip and palate problems. These poor kiddies find it difficult to eat, swallow and at times breathe. Sadly they also have not been able to smile. A lot of them suffer from social ostracism. Can something be done? Of course.
Other protagonists in our tale: dedicated team of doctors, Ronald McDonald Children’s Charities Malaysia staff and supporters plus Peter Runs For Charity team of volunteers
The plot thickens….Peter through this run is fighting to raise precious funds so the children will receive their major corrective surgery or surgeries so they can finally SMILE and live happier lives! It is not going to be easy. He has made a goal to try and help around 30 children and that means running 3 kilometers for one precious and magical smile. The time frame barely 2 and a half months to go. Against all odds scenario? Most definitely.
Most important heroes – the ones who can make this possible and give Peter a strong cheering squad to push him across that all important finish line – YOU….YES, YOU DEAR READERS. You can make a choice. It’s up to you. Wanna join and be a part of something bigger than you and I? Click on www.peterrunsforcharity.com, http://www.peterrunsforcharity.com/donate2.php and www.rmcc.org.my to help and donate. Please see Joint Letter of Collaboration between Peter Runs For Charity and Ronald McDonald Children’s Charities (RMCC) Fund of Malaysia. joint-letter-of-collaboration-from-daniel-chan-president-of-rmcc2
Moral support is also great! By sending Peter an email on his website, he will be inspired by all of you who share the same spirit and conviction. You will carry him through the race and won’t that be a beautiful and amazing thing! Learn more about the Ultra Trail Race on www.ultratrailmb.com
Stay tuned for more stories about Peter and his preparation, the challenges (physical, mental, emotional) and every day issues he has experienced all leading up to the BIG event – around 25 hours of arduous running starting on AUGUST 29th. The quest has begun…
If
by Rudyard Kipling
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise;
If you can think – and not make thoughts your aim,
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build ‘em up with worn-out tools;
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: ‘Hold on!’
Or walk with Kings – nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And – which is more – you’ll be a Man, my son!
