SickKids Warriors Q&A: Maurizio Donatelli
It doesn’t matter how busy you are, how slow you run, or if you can even run at all. Running is a learned skill – not a natural talent. Acknowledge where you are. The biggest mistake you can make in the beginning is over-estimating your abilities, which only leads to injuries and can make you want to give up the goal altogether. Go out for a really easy run today. Don’t wait. The excuses are already building as you read this sentence. To increase the momentum, you need to get started – now. Create an achievable weekly goal. Get out your calendar and find 3 blocks of time each week when you can run. I recommend running in the morning because you are more likely to succeed early in the day. Run short distances with plenty of walk breaks.
Photo caption: Maurizio Donatelli showing his support to SickKids
The real key to training for a long distance run is to make running easy and fun. Do what it takes to maintain your love for running as you train. If you hate training, what are the odds you will one day cross the finish line? Variety is key. Run on the roads, trails, treadmills, and in your living room. Don’t forget yoga, strength training, and other sports like volleyball. Cross-training is great to make you a better overall athlete – and a better runner. Slowly increase your long runs. Pick one day a week when you will do a long run. I like Saturday mornings. Start with a long run around 3 miles and then slowly increase that distance each week.
"I wanted to give back to SickKids for doing everything they did for me when I was younger."
WHY SICKKIDS? WHY BE A WARRIOR?
I wanted to give back to SickKids for doing everything they did for me when I was younger. I was born with Hydrocephalus and was brought to SickKids. I spent the first 3 months of my life there. Understanding the positive impact that SickKids has on so many young children and babies, it was a logical choice to give back.
The Warriors program is a great way to allow people to enter the world of compassion. It allows you to understand where your funds are going through seeing progress at a grass roots level. Being part of the funding decision process, for me, creates a relationship with SickKids that goes beyond just signing a cheque.
YOU'RE A FUNDRAISING MACHINE. ANY TIPS FOR NEW FUNDRAISERS?
The best tip and advice I can give is to never to underestimate yourself. It’s amazing what you can accomplish with the help of the people around you. If you have an idea and approach that you share with your friends, and they help spread the word by telling their friends, all of a sudden you have a working group. Suddenly, fundraising is not so overwhelming.
Maurizio Donatelli was a SickKids patient who now runs the Toronto 5K as a SickKids Warrior.
Thanks, Maurizio, for sharing your Warrior point-of-view.
