The First 5 Days
The below this weeks posts written for the participants of the 6km for 6 babies Run for Stillbirth Challenge that started in April 2024.
These are posted daily on the Challenge Hound Platform where the Virtual Challenge is being hosted.
If you want to join the next one, sign up to the newsletter and you will be notified when registrations re-open!
DAY 1
Hi Everyone!!!
So incredibly grateful to have you all here this month to complete the 6km for 6 babies challenge!
You all inspire me, and because of your involvement you have now contributed to stillbirth research and helping us create more Still Billie Boxes, care packages for grief for families in need.
Amazing effort today everyone! Looking forward to tomorrow!
I’ve made you a video message however I’ve just realised I can’t upload it to the feed.
I’ll upload it so you can view it on my Insta @robb_saunders
Cheers,
Rob
Day 2!
I dunno about you, but getting up and out for a morning run when its cold, raining and also the first day back at work after a long weekend is tough. Especially when I would rather be sitting on the couch making my way through a tube of salt and vinegar pringles, but alas I ate them all last night (note to self, need to buy more pringles).
Now that the long weekend is over and the realities of work set back in, finding time to get the 6km done can be challenging. But when the day ends and you hit that pillow having completed it, you will fall asleep satisfied knowing you've given the day everything you have.
And really, isn't that all we can ever do?
Keep up the great work everyone. It's Pringles Time!
Cheers,
Rob
Day 3 - Cementing the Habit
This is the day that makes or breaks us! If we were quitting smoking, today is where the cravings would be really hitting hard, getting us to fold, pull out a winnie blue and bask in flavour country.
But fear not, we are all in this together, you can get out there today and get those km's under your belt and then its smooth sailing until the end of the month...
HaHa... not really. If only life was that simple.
When those days come for you, when you can't be arsed getting out there, and they will. It's important in those moments to remind yourself that without challenges, without the hard days, there can be no growth and resilience.
But also, be patient and kind to yourself. Sustainable growth and resilience is only accumulated through consistent, incremental changes, one day at a time, until its the new normal. New habits, new routines take time to lock in.
Keep up the fantastic work everyone!
Well done!
Rob
Day 4 – These Dang Legs!
I’m sure there a quite a few of you feeling like your legs are seizing up from tight, tender muscles.
I don’t know if I’ve mentioned it enough, but I don’t like running. I’m a couch potato at heart, so adding another physical activity on top of running, such as stretching, I really didn’t want to do.
When I first started running for stillbirth, last year to train for my first marathon, now 6km every day in honour of my daughter Billie and the 6 babies stillborn daily in Australia, I admit I didn’t take the care and attention needed to ensure my body could handle the pounding, and I got a calf injury last year.
So if you aren’t already doing so, I recommend learning from my mistakes, make stretching a must do to assist in the running. I usually get it in at night while watching TV. Currently watching Bobs Burgers on Disney+.
Enjoy day 4 everyone, looking forward to admiring the progress. Also, welcome Clare to the Challenge!
Cheers,
Rob
Day 5 - Slow is Smooth and Smooth is Fast
I first heard this phrase used when I tried out Ice Hockey, and it's something that's stuck with me longer than my time spent on the ice (which wasn't very long and ended with me falling down a lot).
It translates into many endeavours we do in life, I think. Like running for example. In order to improve your speed and endurance, the key isn't to just try and go as fast as you can every time you run.
You need to go slow, build up that endurance, solidify that technique, and before you know it, you'll be moving further and faster than you could have gone trying to go full speed from the beginning.
This helps me when I find myself going too fast sometimes. It's about the distance, not the speed.
Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast.
Happy Friday Everyone!
Rob
