Blog

London marathon here I come!

by mtozer

I’m currently in training for my first London marathon.

This marathon will be my tenth and my first one outside of Australia. I can’t wait to be on the start line especially after having a place in 2020 and 2021 and having both cancelled due to covid.

I will be running to raise funds and awareness for autistic people and for those with fragile X syndrome, the leading gene cause of autism. I will be raising funds for the National Autistic Society and for FXAA – the Fragile X Association of Australia.

Follow the links below to donate

2020 – Keep Calm and Run Happy

by mtozer

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I’ve been having a look at my 2020-21 running goals. It certainly has been a challenging year for racing. Of course, there are way bigger challenges for so many around the world.

Normally, I race 1 or 2 times a month. So far this year I haven’t raced since the Sun Run on February 1st. It has given me a deeper appreciation of the importance of enjoying training.

I’ve reconnected with Brooks’ Run Happy mantra. I’ve realised that even though I love racing, what I really love is running fast and connecting with other runners.

During Covid, I’ve had to find new ways to do that outside of racing. I’ve continued my speed sessions on m own, and enjoyed keeping up with other runners on Strava.

I was scheduled to run the London marathon in April. This was to be my first marathon outside of Australia, and I am still hopeful that they race will go ahead on the rescheduled date on October 4th.

I’ve been closely following the London marathon website and announcements. This past weekend, Hugh Brasher, the race director, said they are working hard to try and make the race happen. It will require ingenuity and new ways of socially distanced racing.

The other factor, even if the race goes ahead, is whether I can get to London. Australia looks unlikely to lift international travel. My backup plan, if I can’t get to London, is to run the Sydney Blackmores marathon in late September. With Australia doing such a good job of flattening the curve, this looks likely to go ahead. 

Other races I have planned, depending on restrictions are:

  • September Manly fun run ( aiming for a 4th win in a row!)
  • City to Surf – reschedule for October 18th
  • Carcoar Cup – 8th Nov
  • Central Coast half marathon

2021

  • Sun Run
  • Port Macquarie Half Marathon
  • 2021 London marathon in April 

How are you approaching future goals at this time?

Fast suit guy transforms to fast doctor!

by mtozer

Having broken the world record for the fastest half in a suit Mike is now transforming from Fast Suit Guy…..to Fast Doctor and attempting another world record: The fastest half in a doctor’s uniform.

He is inspired by his son who has Fragile X Syndrome. He has been through so much. From the highs of learning to bike ride to major meltdowns.

They have been supported by so many amazing doctors. He sees 4 doctors regularly. So now this is their way of saying thank you.

Mike is running the Sydney Blackmore half marathon on Sunday 15th September 2019.

You can donate to the Fragile X Association here:

https://manlyfunrun.grassrootz.com/fragilex/helen-s-fundraising-run

Fast suit guy hits the streets of Sydney!

by mtozer

This Sunday, I will run the Sydney marathon in a business suit! I’ll be running to raise funds for the Fragile X Association of Australia, an amazing nonprofit which provides vital support to families with Fragile X syndrome.

I’m personally inspired by their work as my son has fragile X and several others in our family are also affected. Being diagnosed with a genetic condition is a huge moment for a family and the association are there to help people in this tough time and beyond.

For this run, I’ll be taking on the record for the fastest marathon in a suit. I am the current record holder for the half marathon; now I’m looking to go twice the distance.

I’d like to invite you to get behind my crazy challenge and give whatever you can. My Everydayhero page is here. I am aiming to raise $3000 and am half way, after also raising funds and awareness at the City2Surf.

The more people that know about Fragile X Association of Australia, the greater their impact, so please also spread the word by sharing my page with your friends and family.

Thanks for your support!

 

 

Katrina running for fragile X in the City2Surf!

by mtozer

Katrina is one of the fragile X team running in the City2Surf this year in support of raising awareness for the Fragile X association. https://city2surf2017.everydayhero.com/au/katrina-city2surf-fragile-x
Name: Katrina Weir

Suburb: Lane Cove West

Have you run in the City2Surf before? Yes
What has inspired you to participate in City2Surf?
 The fast-forward to 2017 version: “I can definitely say I’ve caught the running bug because once one has completed an event such as City2Surf as a runner, it seems imperative to keep re-registering for the same event…simply as a personal challenge to better one’s previous PB!!”
Below is the rewinded version:
The very first time I did it in 2012 was because of a fundraising promotion for my employer – an aged care NGO, and they were recruiting representatives from all their work locations… so I thought “why not? I’ll give it a go!” I was in the ‘Back of the Pack’ then…. with definitely no running aspirations. I had never even considered running as a viable exercise activity for me. That was until 3 years ago – I was inspired hearing the running journey of a long time distant friend who began in her 30’s and within a few years was running marathons which seemed unfathomable to me. After dabbling in little bits & pieces of jogging/running, getting breathless, walking etc etc, I joined a running club in July 2015 on the recommendation of another friend… not at all considering I could call myself a runner, but again “Why not give it a go!”… Since then I haven’t looked back… 7km runs on Saturday mornings soon became highlight of the week (Whilst I do disclose that the cafe time following does aid the motivation of consistently getting up early on a weekend, there is definitely a ‘feel-good’ adrenaline benefit that makes running so catchy!!). 
So in 2016 I registered for a 2nd City2Surf this time as ‘runner’…. and I even surprised myself with actually doing some of the running club’s training runs of the city2surf route. (Being in my mid 40’s, I was totally flabbergasted- “was I having a midlife crisis???” … well if so, it has definitely been a good one!!). In the outcome I ran the course (well chunks of it- albeit the heartbreak hill of course!) in just under 2hours. Fast-forward to 201’7 I can definitely say I’ve caught the running bug because once one has completed an event as a runner, it seems imperative to keep re-registering for the same event… simply as a personal challenge to better one’s previous PB!!”

Why are you running with the Fragile X Association team?

I want to show my support for wonderful long time friends of mine Helen & Mike Tozer, who have a son who has the fragile X syndrome. With my background of midwifery I was a support person for Helen & Mike at the time of Josiah’s birth in 2011 in Hong Kong (at the time we were all full time volunteers, working together with another charity based in HK). Thus I have known Josiah since Day 1 and would love to support this family as they continue to raise him to achieve his fullest potential.
Are you honouring someone in this year’s run?
Josiah
Can you talk us through your fundraising efforts so far for this year’s race. Anything else you have planned?

I’ve sent an email to some friends and I do plan to pass on the info to some of my Saturday am running club companions.  
What are your goals for the 2017 City2Surf? 

Run the course in less than 1hr & 50mins. 
What challenges have you set yourself?

I’ll do a post or 2 on facebook this week… especially as a way of linking this fundraiser to those in the running club I’m also part of. I’m not much of a ‘facebooker’ so I consider this a challenge enough for this week!!
Longer term running challenge: do 12-14km runs on at-least a monthly basis between now and August 2018.  
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City2Surf angel!

by mtozer

We’ve just reached 10 people (or ‘angels’ as we like to call them!) in our Fragile X Team which is pretty exciting! We sat down with Maria, one of the team, to ask her a few questions about her run. She’s a star! 

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Name: Maria Comino
Suburb: Asquith
Have you run in the City2Surf before? No
What has inspired you to participate in City2Surf? I was challeged to complete a triathlon with a friend earlier this year as it was on her bucket list to do. Surprisingly I did it, and it was fun, and on finishing it, my friend said ‘what’s next? Let’s do the City to Surf’. Her husband, Mike was forming a team to run the City to Surf to raise money and awareness for the Fragile X Association of Australia, so I agreed to join the team.
Why are you running with the Fragile X Association team? I know Josiah Tozer and his family who are affected by Fragile X, and am so happy to be able to support them all, including doing the City to Surf for the first time. I am keen to support the foundation to raise awareness, and help to support others affected by Fragile X.
Are you honouring someone in this year’s run? Yes, Josiah Tozer and his amazing family.
Can you talk us through your fundraising efforts so far for this year’s race. Anything else you have planned? I have shared my details for fundraising on Facebook and instagram, and will continue to send reminders in the weeks to come in the lead up to the race.
What are your goals for the 2017 City2Surf? What challenges have you set yourself? To complete the race, and have fun doing it. I am not a huge running fan (I prefer to swim!), but am keen to take on the challenge and comple it well, even if it is as a gently jog! I watched Mike complete a half marathon (and get into the Guiness Book of Records!), and loved watching all the people completing the race, and was inspired that anyone could have a go- even me! So, if I can do it, hopefully I can encourage others to challenge themselves to complete something that seems impossible to them, but they really are keen to do, too.

Fragile X Awareness Day

by mtozer

Very excited to be playing a part in raising awareness about fragile X syndrome this weekend with fragile X awareness day. 
I was involved in recording a series of videos for doctors and the one featuring me has just gone live. Seeing it brings back all the memories of the recording!

It took a few takes as the first one I did off the cuff with just a few notes in front of me. But I made one mistake and had to re-record. Then I struggled to re-create all that went well for the first take as well as correct the mistake! I got there in the end. 
I hope this will help along with all else that is happening for Fragile X this weekend – events, buildings lighting up, social media posts – to share this important condition with a lot more people. 
If you’d like to take some action after hearing of fragile X then please head over to my City2Surf fundraising page. I need to raise $100 each day between now and August 13th to hit my goal of $3000.  
Link here: https://city2surf2017.everydayhero.com/au/mike-tozer

Highs and lows of fragile X

by mtozer

Yesterday was a real day of contrasts. From the highs of winning a race and speaking about fragile X, to the lows of not sharing it with my family, back up to the highs of having a photo shoot that worked perfectly for our son’s special needs.

The day started at the Festival of the Feet in Georges Hall. I entered the 14km and was pushed all the way by David Riches. At almost twice my age I hope I’m running as fast as he is in my 60s! I finished first in 51:21.

A friend and former colleague did a great job MC’ing the event. At one point she got all the kids to run forward if their parents had the smelliest running shoes. I’m pretty certain I would have won that prize if my kids had been there!

Sadly attending such events is close to impossible with our kids. We can just about do it with intense planning and backup from grandparents or a friend. But it is really stressful.

It’s certainly not the fault of the race organisers. If anything this was one of the most accessible events, with parking close by, speakers not too loud and ramps instead of steps.

But for Josiah, what are typical noise levels for most people can be like a war zone for him. The bombardment of sounds, light, people and sensory input just gets too much and he runs off banging his head in frustration.

What are typical noise levels for most people can be like a war zone for him

I had a few minutes on the stage to share about fragile X. I mentioned my son and that it was fragile X awareness month. I shared about my upcoming fundraiser at the city to surf when I’ll be running in a suit. (Link here if you want to get behind me!). It was a privilege to have a few moments to raise awareness among the runners and their families.

In the afternoon we were visited by a photographer and his wife who came to take photos of our family. We know them through the Fragile X Association and they were very understanding of Josiah’s fragile X symptoms.
They spent time making Josiah feel comfortable with them and came to our home so he would be relaxed. It really worked! We had photos with him and his sister, with our family of 4 and also with his grandparents. Josiah was so chilled out we even had time for some shots of just Helen and I!

Even though some experiences are challenging or close to impossible for us, fragile X has also enabled us to have some amazing experiences as a family. Just as some doors have shut, others have opened and we have met some amazing people through the association.

At the end of the afternoon, the kids happily played while the adults sat down at our kitchen table. All 6 could point to specific ways they had been impacted by the work of the Fragile X Association. Whether attending a seminar, meeting others who are affected or interacting with the handful of tireless staff in the office, everyone had a story to tell of how they had been touched by its work.

If you’d like to support the work of the Association or are inspired by my crazy running antics please consider giving $20, $50 or whatever you can to my fundraiser.

https://city2surf2017.everydayhero.com/au/mike-tozer

World Record attempt and City2Surf run!

by mtozer

I am currently training for two events in August and September 2017. Both of these I will run in a business suit. Yep. That’s right. Sounds a little crazy, but it’s for a fantastic cause.

I’ll be running to raise funds for the Fragile X Association of Australia, an amazing nonprofit which provides vital support to families with Fragile X syndrome. I’m personally inspired by their work as my son has fragile X and several others in our family are also affected. Being diagnosed with a genetic condition is a huge moment for a family and the association are there to help people in this tough time and beyond. They are a small, nimble nonprofit with a staff of 3 but have a huge impact.

My first run is the City2Surf in Sydney. I’m aiming to be the first costumed runner over the line. Apparently, superman is going to give me a good run for my money. Perhaps I’ll look like Clark Kent when racing him!

The second run, just a few weeks later, will be a world record attempt. I’ll be taking on the record for the fastest marathon in a suit at the Blackmores Sydney marathon. I am the current record holder for the half marathon; now I’m looking to double that. This means double the distance but far more than double the effort with the hot sweaty suit – a 3 piece suit to be precise – weighing me down.

I’d like to invite you to get behind my crazy challenge and give whatever you can. My Everydayhero page is here. I am aiming to raise $3000 and have a long way to go. Thank you in advance for your generosity, it means a lot!

We have an awesome team of people running in Team Fragile X at the City2Surf please get behind them too – or consider running with us – it’s not too late to signup!

The more people that know about Fragile X Association of Australia, the greater their impact, so please also spread the word by sharing my page with your friends and family.