18 November 2015
My New York Adventure – Jenny Reedman
“Eight weeks ago on my way to work I heard Ash, Kip and Luttsy talking about Youngcare’s Change Course event and the opportunity to win a trip to New York. I couldn’t believe my ears … I reflected on what it would feel like to be back in New York City exactly one year after running my very first marathon right there! I entered the competition that night.
I had decided that my 50th birthday would be spent running my first marathon. I tend to dream big and therefore it was natural to pick the world’s biggest marathon as my maiden event. Much of 2014 was spent training, but with some injury setbacks just three weeks before the race I thought I would never finish. Those worries were however unfounded thanks to the incredible crowd who lifted my spirit with cheers, funny signs, and the powerful kindness of strangers. If it hadn’t been for those people my dream would have been over at the halfway mark. It was then I knew that one day I would have to return the favour… I just didn’t know it would be so soon!
During my running and fundraising for the competition entry, I quickly became connected to the cause. Youngcare was providing young people with high care needs a genuine choice in where and how they lived; a choice that all young people should have. After seeing the beautiful new purpose-built Wooloowin accommodation, I knew I had to run harder…the residents I met were so happy in their new home. My efforts paid off and soon I was jetting off with my daughter and the whole team to the Big Apple!
The day of the marathon, my daughter and I got up early and walked Tim and the boys to the buses. I knew whatever happened, the crowd (which we were about to join) would get Tim and the boys to the finish line, just like it had done for me. There was no doubt they had heard us as we urged them on at the 13 and 23 km marks, though unfortunately in the chaos of Central Park we missed seeing our finishers until the next day. Tim was officially a marathoner and Ash, Kip, Luttsy, Lofty and trainer Ricky had achieved the incredible. Thank you Suncorp Insurance, Nova106.9, Channel 9 and Youngcare from the bottom of my heart, I will cherish the memories of 1 November 2015 for a very long time.”
Don’t miss the documentary “Live Young, Run Hard: 10 Years of Youngcare” which follows the story of Tim and the New York Marathon crew Sunday, 22 November at 4.00pm on Channel Nine!
