Can't hear? Can't see? Run!

$6,905 raised

From 84 Donations

TARGET $4,000

Please support this cause

AUD

I can see and hear actually, a little bit of each! I have Usher's Syndrome which means I have deafness and deteriorating vision. My goal is to raise $4,000 for Seeing Eye Dogs Australia by running a half marathon! I know I know, loads of people do half marathons, but remember...I have a few more challenges than most people! Try running with ear plugs in and wearing tunnel vision goggles and you'll get an idea of what it's like! You'll see me training early mornings in the CBD in my oh-so-attractive "PARTIALLY SIGHTED" high-vis vest, with my colleagues who are supporting me in this goal. I'm lucky because I have Yarra and I'm forever grateful to the amazing people at SEDA who gave her to me and put in the time to train us so we can become the awesome team we are now. That’s why I’m hoping you’ll support me in reaching my goal by donating today! The half marathon I'm running is Brimbank Park on Sunday 19th March 2017.

Update

03 Mar 2017

Has it really been a month since I last did an update?! Well to be honest there wasn't much to say, I was out of action for a couple of weeks due to ankle pain and then was hit by the worse head cold in history, it really knocked me out! And now the half marathon date is looming! Only 2 weeks to go! SHUT UP Rach and I headed out for a run on Monday night in 34 degree heat...do not try this at home kids...I really struggled! It was clear that my fitness had taken a nosedive so now I'm racing to get back on track. I didn't help myself by having a glass too many of wine on Wednesday night, then met Rach at 7am the next morning for a run. Again, do not try this at home kids...running with a hangover is NO FUN. But I'm pretty impressed that I a) actually got out of bed and b) managed to push through and finish the run! No more mid-week drinking for me! I still can't believe it's nearly upon us...that 6 months of training has FLOWN by! I'll get one more update in before the run. Please keep telling your friends and sharing my page - I know we've smashed my target but the more money raised the better!!

Update

04 Feb 2017

Well what a week! I've hit my target! I'm so overwhelmed by the generous support I'm receiving. It's been very motivating which has been helpful as I've been without my running partners for a while (Rachel on holiday and Tamas injured) but I have not been resting no no no. Here's what I got up to this week: Monday: 70 floors fast walking, 4km treadmill jog Tuesday: 70 floors fast walking Wednesday: 35 floors run/walk alternate floors, 4km treadmill jog Thursday 10km treadmill jog Friday 70 floors fast walking Saturday 10km treadmill jog (was meant to be 15km but I had one too many wines on Fri night) Oh and also started a 30 day planking challenge. Jeez that works your tummy muscles! I think I'll have a rest day tomorrow!

Update

30 Jan 2017

My ankle is ok! Hooray! A couple days of rest and it's back to normal *touch wood* so I've been doing some light treadmill and stair stomping activity...which may have to continue for a few more days as the wonderful Tamas has managed to injure himself whilst performing a mono on a mini dirt bike. The things people get up to on Australia Day!

Update

22 Jan 2017

All these epic matches playing out in the AO have inspired me...today I ran 15km on the treadmill! (Ok ok I did allow myself some walking breaks) I worked out I can watch my tablet so I watched that movie The Recruit. I don't know what was more boring...the movie or the running! Anyway, I did it! Pretty pooped now!

Update

20 Jan 2017

So Melbourne's turned on a great day...for ducks! Plus trainer Tamas was at the tennis last night enjoying refreshments of the liquid kind, so I roped in my lovely colleague and friend Kylee to tackle the stairs again. After 1 set of 35 floors she elected not to do them again, so I flew solo. Wierdest thing, although it's a little spooky and lonely in that stairwell...it was actually really empowering for me to be able to do an activity on my own. All I could really see was the step in front of me, but I didn't need Yarra or a guide person, so it felt pretty awesome. This half marathon training is throwing up all kinds of new experiences for me :)

Update

18 Jan 2017

This morning I was held up on the tram and by the time I got into the city, there was no time for a run, so Tamas and I climbed the stairs in our office building. All 35 floors of them, and then we did it again. 70 floors! It was good actually, it works different muscles in your legs, and boy did I get puffed! That marks 4 days in a row of training, I think I'm allowed a rest day tomorrow!

Update

16 Jan 2017

2nd interval training session today! We ran shorter distances this time, which seemed to make it easier. I didn't lose my vision, but...funny story...did almost lose my white stick! It was folded up and lying on the ground while we were doing our sprints - and the rubbish-cart men picked it up while we were down the other end of the park! Tamas spotted it was gone and hoofed it off after them to get it back! What made no sense was the fact they'd not picked up one other bit of rubbish in the area...just my stick! Anyway, Tamas saved the day. All hail Tamas. ps my legs hurt. A lot.

Update

15 Jan 2017

Just got off the treadmill after a 12km slog, seeing stars and feeling pretty fatigued but so excited to see my sponsorship total is 35% of my goal already! Thankyou to everyone who's donated so far. You're the ones keeping me going through this training. I sure don't want to let anyone down!

Update

12 Jan 2017

So today Tamas said we were going to have some fun. Yeah, I know right? "fun". We took a break from the normal jog along the river and did our first interval training session! That's where you sprint your guts out and stop, then sprint again, and stop, and sprint again, over and over till you drop, or spew. Fun it was not. I didn't actually drop, or spew...but I did lose most of my vision! An unexpected side effect of exertion! So the jog back to the office was pretty slow! But it feels good. I'm sure it wont tomorrow...ha ha!

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DONATIONS84

Neeha Avasarala

Sat, 25 Mar 2017

$ 50

Hi Sophie, congratulations on your marathon, what a great effort to raise money to a good cause. So proud of you! Cheers Neeha xoxo

$ 50

Rachel Fancoli

Sun, 19 Mar 2017

$ 50

We did it Soph!!!! So happy to have achieved this goal with you xox

$ 50

K S

Sun, 19 Mar 2017

$ 20

Anonymous

Sun, 19 Mar 2017

$ 50

Karen Deignan

Sun, 19 Mar 2017

$ 50

Go Soph! Lots of love from Dublin xxx

$ 50

Jo Chubb

Fri, 17 Mar 2017

$ 300

I'm so proud to be your sister. You are amazing. Love you so much. Wish I could be there to be your cheerleader.

$ 300

Alison Watts

Thu, 16 Mar 2017

$ 150

Good luck Sophie - great cause!

$ 150

Lindsay Eaton

Thu, 16 Mar 2017

$ 100

Very inspirational Soph!! Love Linz & Jaz

$ 100

Katie Barry

Wed, 15 Mar 2017

$ 20

This is so impressive Sophie - well done on all your efforts and good luck on the day of the run. Listen to the crowd - it's amazing what some cheering from the sideline can do!

$ 20

Sara Lingwood

Wed, 15 Mar 2017

$ 20

Well done Sophie !! I think you're amazing. xx

$ 20

Raising funds for

Seeing Eye DogsOur mission is to enhance the mobility and independence of people who are blind or vision impaired throughout Australia by providing Seeing Eye Dogs, mobility training and rehabilitation services free of charge.

About fundraiser

Sophie Thomas

Prahran, VIC

Created Jan 2017

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$6,905 raised

From 84 Donations

TARGET $4,000

Please support this cause

AUD

Raising funds for

About fundraiser

Sophie Thomas

Prahran, VIC

Created Jan 2017

disability marathons & runs