Journey to healthy ageing
As midnight struck on New Year’s Eve, many people may have pledged to lose weight, quit smoking or find a new hobby, but Victorian couple Alan and Janette Murray had something bigger and better in mind.
As midnight struck on New Year’s Eve, many people may have pledged to lose weight, quit smoking or find a new hobby, but Victorian couple Alan and Janette Murray had something bigger and better in mind.
The New Zealand born couple (pictured), who are aged in their 60s, have begun their journey Running Raw Around Australia marathon which involves running around the country for 365 days, covering more than 40 kilometres each morning.
The couple sometimes have ‘support’ vehicles following them on hot days or if they are ever to be faced with potential danger.
They first hit the pavement on 1 January at Melbourne’s Federation Square, and the determination to stick to their New Years’ resolution is stronger than ever.
When contacted by DPS News last week, Alan, 67, didn’t stop to answer our questions – instead, he continued running while speaking with us about he and his wife’s thoughts on healthy ageing.
“I think keeping healthy is a huge thing – and it can be done at any age,” says Alan, who admits he didn’t start his health kick until the age of 45.
The couple, who have been married for 43 years, are internationally acclaimed endurance athletes and inspirational speakers who have travelled and lived worldwide.
While the dreaded buzzing of the early morning alarm clock is enough to pull the blanket over our heads, Alan and Janette, 63, greet their 4.15am wakeup call with enthusiasm – and a banana or two… or 10!
Alan and Janette have enjoyed “unlimited energy” for the past decade on their 100% low fat raw vegan diet.
A vegan diet is based on fresh, ripe, organic fruits and vegetables with no animal products. A 100% low fat, raw, vegan diet comprises 80% of carbohydrates, 10% protein and 10% fat derived from fresh, ripe, organic fruits and vegetables.
By eliminating all acid-forming foods, Alan and Janette claim to have attained a higher level of optimum health, improved physical fitness and an increased performance level.
Alan and Janette have also run the length of New Zealand – covering 2,182 km, running 50 marathons in 50 consecutive days. They have collectively participated in more than 60 international marathons and ultra runs.
At 52, Janette was diagnosed with breast cancer and the prognosis was six months or possibly a year with conventional chemotherapy and radiation treatment.
Forgetting the needles and chemicals, Janette chose to head down the natural path with the support of Alan and her family. They believe it has resulted in an inevitable journey to healthy living and the passion to share their knowledge and experience with others.
Now the couple want to lead by example and hope to inspire others to believe in themselves, follow their dreams and achieve goals by making more conscious lifestyle choices.
“We can be living proof of what can be achieved by making conscious life choices. We are healthier, more physically fit and have unlimited energy at beyond 60 years of age than in our earlier years,” Alan says.
Despite being “pretty knackered” by the end of the day, Alan confides that the “joy of being fit” is enough just to put his running shoes on and do it.
“It really doesn’t take a lot of effort. Once you get a certain fitness level, you can do anything,” he adds.
Alan and Janette’s typical daily menu may include:
On rising and before a 15km training run: Pure spring water, one banana
Breakfast and after short run: Green smoothie (fruit, greens and water), more than five bananas
Lunch: Either 20 mandarines, 10 oranges, 1 melon, 1 pineapple, five or more bananas and/or other fruits
Dinner: Either a large green salad with savoury fruits; tomato, cucumber, courgette, capsicum etc or a large fruit smoothie, or 1 large fruit such as a melon, papaya, pineapple etc
Snacks: Any fruit or a freshly squeezed fruit or vegetable juice
Before a long (15+km) training run: Water, fruit smoothie, two to five bananas
During a long (20+km) training run: Water, dates
After a long (20+km) run: Breakfast plus extra fruit (especially bananas)
Alan and Janette’s Running Raw Around Australia marathon is raising charitable funds for Animals Australia, Australian Paralmpic Committee, Kids Under Cover and The Gawler Foundation (a foundation dedicated to health, healing and wellbeing). Show your support and donate to any of these charities.
