As the old proverb goes, there’s more than one way to skin a cat. This proverb is probably more applicable in 2020 than it ever was in the 1800s, as now alternative is the new normal. Imagination, creativity and innovation are the order of the day and Breakthrough Cancer Research have come up trumps with The Race that Nearly Wasn’t.
It’s a 2km walk or jog a day for 20 days, the equivalent of a marathon, before the end of April. It’s a lockdown challenge for anyone who would like to support the cause and – technically – run a marathon.
Former Irish international track and field athlete David Gillick from Dublin is supporting the challenge, while self-isolating with his wife Charlotte and children Oscar (four) and Olivia (one), pictured left.
“Eoghan O’Sullivan is the head man at the charity and I’ve known him for the last couple of years. I did the Ring of Kerry fundraising run previously, but that was cancelled this year so Eoghan got in touch about the virtual race,” says David.
He explains that you can download the app – Your Virtual Race – on your smartphone, register for €20 (you can add more to the donation if you wish) and use the app to track your progress.
“The idea is that it’s 2km every day for the month of April. It’s really to get people out for a bit of activity and fresh air and maybe get their families involved as well,” says David. The race is open for the month of April, so even late-comers are welcome to join in and do what you can.
Exercise for the mind
David is no stranger to a run, having represented Ireland at world athletics for years and setting national records in the 400m outdoor in Spain (2009) and 400m indoor in England (2010). He retired from elite athletics a couple of years ago and it’s only now that he has found the true value in keeping fit.
“Most days I would try and do something, but that could range from a run or cycle, or just going for a walk with the dog. I’m lucky enough that there’s a park just down the road from the house and there’s a couple of weights at home I can use.
“To be honest, right now, it’s more about trying to keep the kids entertained,” he laughs.
Other accolades
Being good at what he does has come in handy for David during lockdown, as some will know that he was the Celebrity MasterChef champion in 2013.
“I have been doing bits in the kitchen, but my angle is to include the kids whenever I can. I cook a lot of one-pot dishes that we’ll all eat. I’ve been messing around with Oscar in the kitchen, and trying to keep the food fresh and colourful. It’s trying not to snack, that’s the hard part.”
David says that the advice he would give to people is “be aware” of what you’re eating. Don’t ban yourself from nice things – by just by being aware, food intake is much easier to control. “It’s trying to strike that balance,” says David, “if you can get out and burn off those calories, that’s just added benefit.”
Lucy Fahy (right) is a cancer survivor and has also had to modify her means of raising much-needed funds for Breakthrough Cancer Research, as prior plans have been halted due to social Government regulations.
“As someone who has had cancer, I’m in the high-risk category for COVID-19, so I had to postpone the completion of my planned walk from west Cork to Dublin to raise funds for Breakthrough. Now I have to stay at home cocooning.
“It’s a lonely time, without much focus, so I love the idea of The Race that Nearly Wasn’t. It’s something to plan for each day and it will ensure that I keep a focus on being healthy during this time.
“I’m lucky as I live in the countryside so keeping my social distance is easy for me anyway. Some days I’m going to do laps around the field next to my house, and if the weather is bad, I’ll clock the kilometres inside by walking lengths of the corridor.”
Unfortunately, at the time of going to print, Lucy had once again had to put her plans on hold, as she is injured. Everyone at Irish Country Living wishes her a speedy recovery.
Support
Breakthrough Cancer Research hopes to raise €40,000 for ground-breaking cancer research by encouraging 2,000 people to sign up.
The idea is that everyone who registers should nominate five other friends or colleagues to do so also.
The Race that Nearly Wasn’t follows on from Breakthrough Cancer Research’s other innovative recent initiative, The Shop that Nearly Wasn’t, that saw the world’s first shop 100% stocked and staffed by cancer survivors open in Temple Bar.
Breakthrough has already supported nine new treatments moving from the lab to clinical trial, and they have numerous more new treatments in the pipeline.
Sign up today for The Race that Nearly Wasn’t on www.theracethatnearly
wasnt.ie and nominate five people to join you. For more see www.breakthrough
cancerresearch.ie
Read more
Avoid the lockdown blues and keep on moving!
Living Life: how to be good with money
Coronavirus: Irish farm census deferred
As the old proverb goes, there’s more than one way to skin a cat. This proverb is probably more applicable in 2020 than it ever was in the 1800s, as now alternative is the new normal. Imagination, creativity and innovation are the order of the day and Breakthrough Cancer Research have come up trumps with The Race that Nearly Wasn’t.
It’s a 2km walk or jog a day for 20 days, the equivalent of a marathon, before the end of April. It’s a lockdown challenge for anyone who would like to support the cause and – technically – run a marathon.
Former Irish international track and field athlete David Gillick from Dublin is supporting the challenge, while self-isolating with his wife Charlotte and children Oscar (four) and Olivia (one), pictured left.
“Eoghan O’Sullivan is the head man at the charity and I’ve known him for the last couple of years. I did the Ring of Kerry fundraising run previously, but that was cancelled this year so Eoghan got in touch about the virtual race,” says David.
He explains that you can download the app – Your Virtual Race – on your smartphone, register for €20 (you can add more to the donation if you wish) and use the app to track your progress.
“The idea is that it’s 2km every day for the month of April. It’s really to get people out for a bit of activity and fresh air and maybe get their families involved as well,” says David. The race is open for the month of April, so even late-comers are welcome to join in and do what you can.
Exercise for the mind
David is no stranger to a run, having represented Ireland at world athletics for years and setting national records in the 400m outdoor in Spain (2009) and 400m indoor in England (2010). He retired from elite athletics a couple of years ago and it’s only now that he has found the true value in keeping fit.
“Most days I would try and do something, but that could range from a run or cycle, or just going for a walk with the dog. I’m lucky enough that there’s a park just down the road from the house and there’s a couple of weights at home I can use.
“To be honest, right now, it’s more about trying to keep the kids entertained,” he laughs.
Other accolades
Being good at what he does has come in handy for David during lockdown, as some will know that he was the Celebrity MasterChef champion in 2013.
“I have been doing bits in the kitchen, but my angle is to include the kids whenever I can. I cook a lot of one-pot dishes that we’ll all eat. I’ve been messing around with Oscar in the kitchen, and trying to keep the food fresh and colourful. It’s trying not to snack, that’s the hard part.”
David says that the advice he would give to people is “be aware” of what you’re eating. Don’t ban yourself from nice things – by just by being aware, food intake is much easier to control. “It’s trying to strike that balance,” says David, “if you can get out and burn off those calories, that’s just added benefit.”
Lucy Fahy (right) is a cancer survivor and has also had to modify her means of raising much-needed funds for Breakthrough Cancer Research, as prior plans have been halted due to social Government regulations.
“As someone who has had cancer, I’m in the high-risk category for COVID-19, so I had to postpone the completion of my planned walk from west Cork to Dublin to raise funds for Breakthrough. Now I have to stay at home cocooning.
“It’s a lonely time, without much focus, so I love the idea of The Race that Nearly Wasn’t. It’s something to plan for each day and it will ensure that I keep a focus on being healthy during this time.
“I’m lucky as I live in the countryside so keeping my social distance is easy for me anyway. Some days I’m going to do laps around the field next to my house, and if the weather is bad, I’ll clock the kilometres inside by walking lengths of the corridor.”
Unfortunately, at the time of going to print, Lucy had once again had to put her plans on hold, as she is injured. Everyone at Irish Country Living wishes her a speedy recovery.
Support
Breakthrough Cancer Research hopes to raise €40,000 for ground-breaking cancer research by encouraging 2,000 people to sign up.
The idea is that everyone who registers should nominate five other friends or colleagues to do so also.
The Race that Nearly Wasn’t follows on from Breakthrough Cancer Research’s other innovative recent initiative, The Shop that Nearly Wasn’t, that saw the world’s first shop 100% stocked and staffed by cancer survivors open in Temple Bar.
Breakthrough has already supported nine new treatments moving from the lab to clinical trial, and they have numerous more new treatments in the pipeline.
Sign up today for The Race that Nearly Wasn’t on www.theracethatnearly
wasnt.ie and nominate five people to join you. For more see www.breakthrough
cancerresearch.ie
Read more
Avoid the lockdown blues and keep on moving!
Living Life: how to be good with money
Coronavirus: Irish farm census deferred
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