Love Mercy

Yesterday we had the honour of attending the 4 th Annual Julius Achon Cross Country run in Okwang. I am lying under my mosquito net watching the sunrise while Eloise is out running for an hour and 45 minutes with Quinto, one of the students we have supported through our sponsorship program. I don’t even feel bad.  I will let her tell you more about the race and the days events, but there is one story that I can’t wait to share. The thing I love about being here is the way that certain people can stand out in a crowd of thousands. I think it must be spiritual; that God gives you eyes for only one person in the ocean of bodies. For me yesterday it was a little girl who would have been 7 or 8 years old. She was in the opening race of the day. The P1 and P2 girls would run 2km, and those who finished in the top 32 were awarded a t-shirt.  Most of the girls were in their school uniforms even though it was a Saturday, likely because that is the only item of clothing that they o

  On my first visit to Uganda in 2010 we met Sunta and her little baby boy, Emmanuel. His name means “God with Us” and he was very sick. She handed him to me and asked if I could pray for him. When I held him he was so light that he felt like nothing more than a bundle of blankets. In January 2012 we returned and Emmanuel had been recently hospitalised, but had returned home to his mother. In August of that same year, we were deeply saddened to learn that he had passed away. Yesterday during our meeting at Barr village, as soon as Sunta entered the building our eyes locked and I felt immense pain. As a new mother, I finally could relate to the pain and suffering she felt, and the weight of her burden hit me square in my chest. I couldn’t contain my tears. Luckily I was wearing a traditional Ugandan dress that the women had made for me last time, so I could discreetly mop up my tears with my puffy sleeves. When we spoke with her outside, she was full of joy a

Cait & Lucky We have arrived in Lira after another long day of travel. Eloise and I always joke that coming to Uganda is a “test of endurance". Starting with the 14-hour plane trip to Dubai, each moment is about getting through the present time in order to wake up and tackle the next challenge. Flight, airport, flight, drive, hotel, drive, hotel, drive… and then finally, the reason for which we have traveled for over 48 hours… people, relationships, community, projects. I always snicker to myself when someone asks me why I am involved with Love Mercy. I wish that the answer was that I was just one of those people who was born with Africa ‘on their heart’, that I grew up firmly planted in the knowledge that one day I would end up here. Quite the opposite is true. It is hard for me to come here. It’s daunting, scary, worrisome, and all the more so now that I have a little cub of my own back home in Aus. But here I am anyway, on the other side of the w

Spare seat from Syd to Dubai... see you in 14 hours! Day One. What has messy hair, dry skin, skanky teeth, blurry eyes, cotton mouth and a freckle mo x2?... Caitlin and I are on the last leg of our plane route to Uganda. It will be our first trip back since 2012 when we went there to officially open the Kristina Achuma Achon Health Clinic, and our first trip since we both became mothers. We've been reflecting that for us personally, the lead up to this trip to Uganda has been different to any other. There were more than a few tears leaving our respective babies at home, but, for my dear little India - the fridge and pantry is filled with all of her favourites; hommous, mini ravioli and tiny teddies. Plus, she has a Daddy that would rival Mrs Doubtfire for father of the year, a loving family and cousins that will give her all the kisses and hugs she needs, and then if all else fails, she has Peppa Pig at 5.45pm every afternoon. Really, I'm living in hope that she thin

Pre-Race Tips:   Eloise with Ugandan Olympian Julius Achon who will be running the Sutherland to Surf for Love Mercy. With the race only days away, follow these tips for optimal pre-race prep for runners and walkers: How you fuel your body is crucial for performance in a running race. Be sure to allow yourself good, slow release carbohydrates 24 hours before the race. I usually have a rice or pasta meal (with tomato based sauce) with salad or vegetables. Hydrate by drinking at least 1.5L of water a day. For a morning race I will always have a couple of pieces of toast and half a banana to keep me well fuelled for what's ahead. If you find you can't stomach anything before running then experiment with GU gels in your training.   Have just one before the race as this will help fuel your muscles when you start to deplete your glycogen stores.  For those that sign up to run with the Love Mercy Foundation we will have a FREE breakfast waiting for you at the f

Photo credit: Love Mercy Foundation Week 6 This is the last week of our 6-week training plan. Thanks for following along! Beginner: Walk 1 minute, then jog for 6 minutes. Repeat x 5. Do this workout three times per week Intermediate: Interval session: 8x3 minutes hard pace Tempo run: 2x15 minutes at tempo pace with 1 minute rest Long run: 80 mins at easy pace Tip: Before and after each run it is important to stretch your muscles. Recent studies have revealed that dynamic stretching is best before running - so think leg swings and back rotations- and static stretching best after running- for example a hamstring stretch with your foot up on a chair with your legs straight holding the stretch for 30 seconds.

Caitlin and Haddie with Lauren and Evie – Photo by Bird and Bee Studio Week 5 – July 3 rd We are nearing the end of our training program with the Sutherland to Surf just weeks away! Keep training and get fundraising to meet your goal and win some amazing prizes. Beginner: Walk 1 minute followed by a jog for 5 minutes. Repeat this x   5. Do this workout three times per week Intermediate: Interval session: 2 sets of 4, 3, 2, 1 minutes hard all with a 2 minute rest Tempo run: 30 mins Long run: 75 mins Tip: Try and keep your running to soft surfaces like grass, trail, or an athletics track. It’s ok to have one run a week on the road or esplanade because this is the type of the surface of the Sutherland to Surf race. The Sutherland to Surf is a great race for people of all ages and abilities. Join in the fun at the finish line with face painting for the kids, and a free breakfast! www.lovemercyfoundation.org

Eloise Wellings and Jock Campbell from Jock Athletic. Photo by Bird and Bee studio June 26 th We are more than halfway through our training plan now. Keep up the good work! Beginner: Walk 1 minute followed by a jog for 4 minutes. Repeat   x 5 . Do this workout three times this week Intermediate: Interval session: 10x2 minutes with 1 minute rest Tempo run: 25 minutes at tempo pace Long run: 70 minutes at easy pace. Tip: Running is the most effective ways to lose weight. If you’re trying to lose weight as part of your program, try going a week without eating ANY processed foods- eat clean, lean protein like fish and chicken, plenty of fresh fruit and veg plus good fats like in avocado and almonds. Get a group of friends together and aim to raise $1000 for healthcare in remote northern Uganda.  www.lovemercyfoundation.org

Week 3 Cronulla Mums and Bubs - Photo by Bird and Bee Studio Hopefully by now you are starting to see an increase in fitness by following this Sutherland to Surf training plan. Beginner: Walk 1 minute followed by a 4 minute jog. Repeat x 4. Do this work out 3 times per week Intermediate: Interval session: 7x3 minutes hard pace with 90 seconds rest Tempo run: 20 minutes at tempo pace Long run: 65 mins at easy pace Tip: If you find it hard to run for 4 minutes straight without stopping, just go for as long as you can and make that your benchmark for each rep. Are you a new mum too? Ask your mothers group to join you and walk together for a purpose! www.lovemercyfoundation.org

Eloise stretching with Ryan and Kate – Photo By Bird and Bee studio Week 2 – June 12 th Welcome to week 2 of your Sutherland to Surf training plan! Following on from week 1, if you are a beginner: Walk for 1 minute then jog for 2 minutes and repeat x 7. Do this work out 3 times this week Intermediate: Interval session: 6x3 minutes hard pace with 2 minutes rest Tempo run: 15 minutes at tempo pace which should be hard but comfortable Long run: 50-60minutes at an easy pace Tip: In between your running days- spend 20 mins doing some core and strength exercises just with your body weight. These will help your running form and efficiency, keeping yo u safe from injury. Try some walking lunges, squats, plank and pushups. Register to fundraise for the race at www.lovemercyfoundation.org

To get you from Couch to 11km! Welcome to my 6-week training program in the lead up to the Sutherland to Surf! This program will cater to both beginners and intermediates who would like to get in shape to run the race. You can help us save lives in Northern Uganda. We’d love to have you join our team and RUN WITH PURPOSE, head to www.lovemercyfoundation.org and register to fundraise. Beginner: If you’ve never done a fun run before and don’t often jog, but have a moderate level of fitness, e.g. you might play team sports or go to the gym Warm up for each session every week with a brisk 5 minute walk. Following your session cool down by walking for 5 minutes, followed by stretching. Start week 1 with the following: Walk 1 minute then run 1 minute. Repeat this x 10. Do this workout three times per week Intermediate: If you already run 2-3 times per week. Session 1 – Tempo run – these build strength and endurance and should be faster than a long

Grab some friends and enter a team! Yet again we are dusting off those joggers and getting motivated for our biggest fundraiser of the year, the Sutherland to Surf! Love Mercy has built up a legacy over the last 4 years of running an amazing event during the Sutherland to Surf. We have consistently raised over $50,000 three years running, and as a result we have been able to build not one but TWO remarkable medical facilities in a remote area of northern Uganda with no previous medical facilities. The WHY... Just last week, Julius Achon, our founder and Ugandan Olympian, traveled to the clinic to meet with staff and plan the upcoming stages of construction. When he arrived, he was told that a very sick man had arrived at the clinic for treatment after walking for many hours. He had been ill for two weeks, but was unable to seek out medical care closer to his home. His bladder had burst, leaving him covered in urine and in great pain. After our staff assessed him and made