Here’s a selection of highlights from the journey…
All posts by Andy Light Runner
SHOW AND TELL NIGHT- 27/11/15…
I’m back and I have some stories to tell! Travel is a great metaphor for life, it has its challenges and its rewards. By setting up some odd rules and with the mission to raise money and spread awareness for Mental Health, I ended up having an epic 3 months.
At the start of my European journey, I realised I wouldn’t be able to do all the challenges, travel and free-wheelin adventure as well as editing together the videos (I would have been stuck in internet cafes the whole time).
So I didn’t get bogged down and instead stayed in the moment, and the result is I had many crazy experiences and have some great stories to tell. Ironically it was also great for my own Mental Health, and I’m keen open up discussions with you like Ive been doing with all sorts of people around the world.
I have photos to help tell the stories, so stay tuned for a venue and what will be included by joining the Event on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1519989064986628/
https://www.facebook.com/events/1519989064986628/
UPDATE- GONE ADVENTURING!!
A brief update, I realised that I wont be able to make all the videos and update this site, while at the same doing all the challenges and capturing the adventures.
So this website is going to be on hold until I come back (when ill put it all together and also do a sponsor drive). For the best updates, you can make a donation (which gives you access to the images in full res), or befriend me on Facebook.
Thanks again for all the support, and please dont be shy to message through requests!
See you down the track…
A new way of getting to Airports
It was a big first day…
My first challenge was simply getting everything ready before I left. Not just preperation for The Light Runner, but also moving out of home and office. After smashing through plenty of work on minimal sleep, the countdown finally ended and it was time to begin. If it wasn’t for my Mum I wouldn’t have got away (thanks ma!).
It was a beautiful winters day.
The run to the airport ended up quite eventful. After a diversion (which was a great bonus along the cliffs), I was genuinely worried for my life. I guess there’s something about the sound of gunfire nearby which is unsettling, along with not knowing if you’re in a safe place.
I got some strange looks from golfers, so I chirped out at the…. “I’m off to the Airport, going to Europe for 3 months!”… it seemed to make slightly more sense for them.
I’d been enjoying the run too much. After months of planning, it was great to just be running. I started getting a bit concerned though about my timing. Stopping to film, take photos and fix up my gear (it started falling apart and I think it will be a while before my rig gets settled) meant I had to run twice as far in half as much time to get to the airport.
I decided not to be too risky, which ended up for the better as my right knee flared up and in the end it was a struggle to keep moving along Port Botany, where I arrived just in time to check in, buy plenty of subway and a gatorade (I hadn’t really eaten enough and didn’t drink much along the way).
So strange to say goodbye to my base of 4 + years. Litterally flying off on it.
Landing in Burnswick Heads it was great to be surrounded by family. As with the intro videos, I decided to exploit the cuteness of nephews for the video. Plus im still not sure how the blogs will work in terms of the tone and feel. Its easier to be natural with others around.
The plan is to do the Gold Coast Marathon early the next morning with Zac my brother in law, but I was already knackered and the adventures and only just begun.
DO YOU KNOW A COMPANY LOOKING FOR A GREAT SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITY?
We’re currently looking for Major and Minor sponsors. The plan for the Light Runner is to create as much awareness and following, which will mean great exposure for Mental Health, as well as companies that have made donations in order to become sponsors.
We want to give as much thanks as possible to our biggest supporters.
Contact us now to see the packages available, including specific details of where and when you can expect recognition. We want to ensure that as well as knowing you’re supporting a good cause, that you also receive great publicity so that it is a good marketing investment for you.
PLEDGES
You can make a pledge based on a certain challenge or milestone being met. For example you might say 50 cents for every km, or $10 for every photo with a thumbs up… you name it, I’ll try and do it!
Make your pledge in the comments below, or via a youtube comment, and I’ll add it to the list. You can pay straight away by donating, or email through your details so that you can pay when everything is done and dusted. We’ll be sure to send you a receipt.
Thanks for getting involved, and having some fun with your donation!
PLEDGES SO FAR
NAME |
COMPANY |
PLEDGE AMOUNT |
CHALLENGE |
To help you know what’s being tracked, below are some numbers:
WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES?
Im open to ideas!
Basically, I’m challenging myself as much as possible, to share as much as I can. The below are my current ideas, but I’m keen to hear your thoughts in the comments so that this list can grow. A big part of the challenge is creating videos on the go, but this is also the way I’ll be logging what I’ve done and what I’m planning… so subscribe and stay tuned.
I only have with me a running pack, a change of clothes and some camera gear. Find out more about The Light Runner and how I’m sharing my passions for running, photography and personal/team development.
100% of donations go towards Mental Health, and I’m very open to work in exchange of donations. You can see some suggestions on the right, or you can also make a pledge based on challenges completed. $1 for every kilometre I run, 500 Euros to take a group out of the office, one million dollars to do a marathon in every capital city of Europe… you name it!
IDEAS FOR CHALLENGES
- Create videos and take requests
- Light paint messages suggested by people making donations
- Draw stop-motion images of a “light runner” to be made into a movie
- Drawing using GPS tracking
- Teach the joys of running to schools and office groups
- Take groups team building
- Run part or all of the Camino trail
- Large scale light painting- from up high, lots of people, big areas
- Set a Guinness World Record (surely there’s something wacky that I could achieve)
- 24hr run
- Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc course
- Circumnavigate Mallorca
- Run around key attractions “…” many times
- Race certain trains, buses etc through cities. Maybe race people to work
- Interviews
- Longest continual run without stopping
- Largest light painting
- Race a horse over a long distance (technically, if given a long enough distance a human can beat a horse)
- Cross every one of Venice’s canals
- Tap into various interest groups to get them involved with a challenge
- Do tasks while running
- Enter marathons, obstacle course races and other events- do something unique in them (skip, wear an outfit, run with someone)
- See how many times a country can be circumnavigated
- Run to Nordkapp (northernmost part of Norway)
- Run the Houtribdijk- dam wall
- Luxembourg- most multicultural country in the world- see how many languages I can find
- Run up San Marino
- Swim with underwater torches… to make night photos
What’s your idea?
MAP OF PLANS AND PROGRESS
Please comment below with ideas of where to go and what to do. If you know people living or travelling in Europe, please share this with them and ask them to contact me with their details. Thanks!