Sixty games of ten pin bowling over 12 hours and up to 1500 lunges await Federation University lecturer Chris Mesagno on Good Friday when he attempts to raise $10,000 for the Royal Children's Hospital Good Friday Appeal.
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Colleagues in the university's Exercise and Sport Science Rehab Clinic are helping Dr Mesagno prepare physically for the bowling marathon, but mentally he's looking after himself as a lecturer in sports psychology.
The physical preparation is crucial because the marathon idea came out of Dr Mesagno's desire to see if he is "back to normal" after suffering a slipped disc in his back about 18 months ago that prevented him from bowling for about six months.
"They've been working with me to get me to strengthen my upper and lower body to be able to endure 12 hours of bowling," Dr Mesagno said.
Because it's a lunging action when you bowl, I've calculated that if I bowl 60 games it will be anywhere from 750 to 1500 lunges on the one leg ... depending how many strikes I get. The more strikes I get the less times I have to bowl.
- Chris Mesagno
Dr Mesagno has bowled for 35 years, including competitively at college in the US, and kept up the sport when he moved to Australia 17 years ago. About 10 years ago he took part in another 12-hour bowling marathon during which he completed 51 games.
"When I bowled 51 games the body parts that were sore the most were my quads, particularly around my left knee, the forearm of my right arm and my butt/glutes because of the stress of bending the knee," he said.
"Because it's a lunging action when you bowl, I've calculated that if I bowl 60 games it will be anywhere from 750 to 1500 lunges on the one leg ... depending how many strikes I get. The more strikes I get the less times I have to bowl."
And each lunge will be carrying a 7.5kg bowling ball.
"The main reason I'm doing it is to see how I am physically and make sure I'm back to where I was before I slipped a disc in my back," he said.
And raise money for the Royal Children's Hospital.
"My wife and I have been blessed with two relatively healthy kids and I figured I could help others by helping the Good Friday Appeal.
"I feel lucky to be able to help the charity out without having to go through some of the things that other people we know, and friends, have gone through with their children."
Dr Mesagno is seeking donors through his everyday hero account to pledge money toward the Good Friday Appeal. He will complete his 12 hour tenpin bowling marathon at Zone Bowling in Frankston on Good Friday.
Also on Good Friday raising money for the Royal Children's Hospital appeal, a family fun day will be held at the Ballarat Greyhound Racing Track. Market stalls, music, singers, dancers, rides, auctions and food vendors will be on site from 11am to 3pm. Entry by donation.
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