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He’s only going to use one pair of runners and one pair of socks and, by his own admission, he’s a “bit of an idiot.”
But that’s not going to stop Martin Hauck and his buddy, Jeff Kirkeby, from setting off around the streets of Steveston Friday night to run four miles, every four hours for two days straight, until late Sunday afternoon.
That’s right, at 8 p.m. Friday, school teacher Hauck and personal trainer Kirkeby are limbering up to run the equivalent of nearly two marathons as part of the global, David Goggins’ 4x4x48 Challenge.
And it’s all in the name of cancer research, something which has touched Hauck several times in his 44 years and also something he will use to drive him on when the going inevitably gets tough on Sunday.
“It started as challenge to myself to push my boundaries. I’m so-so fit. This is terrifying me, I’ve never run a marathon before,” said Hauck, who cycles 30 kilometres a day from his Seafair home to and from his school in south Vancouver.
“For the last three years I’ve been doing the Ride to Conquer Cancer; cancer research is something that’s very dear to me.
“The ride was cancelled last year, so I wanted to push myself a bit more and raise some money for a good cause.
“My mom and aunt both survived breast cancer. They fought hard, but if it wasn’t for the BC Cancer Foundation, I think it would have been a very different story.
“I also had a colleague, who was very influential to my teaching practice, diagnosed with inoperable brain cancer. He was given about three months to live. It hit me pretty hard when he passed away four years ago. I think about him a lot. They will be top of mind all weekend.”
Hauck said he and Kirkeby plan to pitch a couple of tents in his townhouse backyard for the duration of the challenge, where they will have a propane fire to keep them warm while they eat, rest and, hopefully, nap, in between runs.
“We wanted to challenge ourselves with the elements a bit more,” added Hauck, noting that it should take about 40 minutes per run, allowing for a few hours rest in between each leg.
“Having a buddy with me is huge, though. We will get into deep, philosophical discussions I’m sure.
“We’ll have lots of sugar, small meals, electrolytes, ice packs and a roller.
“I live near the West Dyke Trail, so during the day we’ll be running along there. We won’t go there at night due to the coyotes.
“At night we’ve got three other routes, down Railway and through the neighbourhoods. We’ll get our headlights on and chalk up the miles.”
Hauck said he hopes to raise a few dollars and awareness for the BC Cancer Foundation.
“If I suffer a little bit in the process, it pales in comparison to what people go through with cancer,” he added.
And if anyone wants to join the pair, Hauck said they are more than welcome, joking that “we’re more than happy to set a slower pace. We will be slower by Sunday.
“The last run should be 4 p.m. on Sunday. Depending on how we’re feeling, we may try and hammer out one more at 8 p.m., just for fun.”
To donate to the BC Cancer Foundation in Hauck’s name, go online to the BCcancerFoundation/events/bcride
