Anthony Don is about to embark on one of the biggest challenges of his life.
After proudly playing 152 first grade games for the Gold Coast Titans, the task he faces on Sunday will be nothing like any 80 minutes of footy that he's previously used to tackling.
Taking part in the Gold Coast Marathon to raise money for the Joseph Pouniu recovery fund, it's a cause close to Donny's heart given his close involvement in the Future Titans program.
In his final week of preparations before the 42 kilometre trek on Sunday, the 35-year-old admits his training leading up to the event hasn't been the best, but that won't deter him from crossing the finishing line for the good cause.
"It hasn’t been smooth sailing. I’m a bit under done but I gotta’ give it a crack and hopefully, I’ll get through," Don told the Gold Coast Bulletin.
"I’ve had a bit of sickness and injury but I’m coming good at the right time. I’m definitely under-done, didn’t quite get enough training in that I’d like but I’m going to give it a red hot crack.
"It sounds cheesy but sometimes when I am running [in preparation], Joseph does cross my mind just because I know how tough he is doing it and if I’m a little bit sore or a little bit tired I can just try and keep pushing for him and get the race done."
The Titans' most prolific try-scorer will call on his years of gruelling pre-seasons in the NRL to help him with the mental challenge that some say is even more tougher than the actual physical demand.
"It’s probably the only advantage I’ve got. I’ve been in tough situations physically before but the marathon is a completely different beast," Don said.
"People say the race doesn’t start until the 30 kilometre mark and it’s a distance I’ve never been past so it’s going to be interesting to see what happens.
"I look forward to the challenge. Hopefully, it’s nice weather. It’s a sold-out event. So it’s going to be a good day no matter what. Hopefully, I can finish."
Don will also lace up the boots early next month in the Titans' charity All Stars match against the Dolphins All Stars - a curtain-raiser to the Coast's Round 19 clash at Cbus Super Stadium.
The game which will also feature NRL stars Preston Campbell, Matt Geyer, Dallas Johnson, Brad Meyers, Chris Walker, Danny Nutley, Shane Perry and Nathan Friend - just to name a few - will also help raise funds for Big Joe, who continues to recover from the serious spinal injury he suffered earlier this year.
"He’s definitely improving and it’s a very long road ahead," he said.
"He’s getting all the best treatment he can get up in Brisbane. It’s a long road but by all reports he’s attacking everything he can.
"If they want him to do three sessions a week for physio, he’s asked him for 10, so if anyone’s going to recover, it’s him. But like I said, it’s a difficult injury and it’s a severe injury. It’s going to take a long time to recover."
