Tag: gmb

March-ing on!

This weather we are having is definitely not condusive to training using a wheelchair. For so many put there, myself included, the cold and for me, especially the low cloud, is a trigger for my nerve and crps pain. So, at the moment, I’m waking up 10 + times a night to get heat packs and take painkillers. Not ideal! The nerve pain I had surgery for post London Marathon is in full swing as well. It kind of feels like a knife stabbing you, which then sets off the crps. So things are a little tricky. The fibro is also acting up at the moment. The pain side of this isn’t a huge bother because the crps pain is so extreme that it kind of masks it (little win there!). But I di get the lethargy, migranes and insomnia. So, in short, training for an endurance event is tough. But I don’t give up easily. So it’s about training on days I can. I know when the weather improves, then my condition will improve with it. So I look forward to that 🙂

Otherwise, things are plodding along. I had a bout of a few donations to my JustGiving page for the Aaron Lewis foundation, but these have tapered off again. So I’m working hard every day I can, plugging away about the event. So, in case you don’t know, on the 21st of August, I will be attempting to become the 1st female to travel the greatest distance in 12 hours using a standard non-sport wheelchair. I will be doing this at Exeter Arena. It is not going to be easy. Have you ever tried wheeling in a standard wheelchair? It’s hard in comparison to the sports versions, who are lightweight and aerodynamic and made for speed and endurance. Your everyday non-sport wheelchair is not! But what would be the point making things easier for myself and doing things an easy way? No one would sponsor me for that! On that subject, there is something I’ve noticed in the media. There is a huge disparity between the nationals putting out stories of men vs. women. I have followed some extraordinary women for years who are doing amazing things, and for some reason, they never make it onto the main news. Yet any male who does anything seems to get there fine. Don’t believe me? Look back at the stories. It is not due to a lack of participation.

Anyway, I’m still plodding along. 3 marathons since Christmas using my everyday non-sport wheelchair (in training). With training ramping up at the end of March, I can only hope the weather behaves 🙏 But if it doesn’t, I will carry on regardless.

Official event poster

I have had some amazing support from well wishers as I’m out and about training. It really is amazing to me that anyone knows who I am at all. 😊 I’m just a person who found themselves with a few chronic pain conditions, who still wants to keep exercising. So why not do it for some wonderful charities?

So, back to training. Prep today for a marathon tomorrow. Cross fingers that there will be no rain and minimal head wind 🙏

The countdown begins…

In 3 days, or 4 including today, I will be taking that trip again to East Grinstead. This time for a few days (5-14 – depending on pain!). I will be having my TMR surgery. I must admit, a fair amount of trepidation this time. I’m not unfamiliar to general anaesthetics, this will be my 10th! Yet for some reason, this time I’m a bit scared! I think it’s because I will be so far from home, and my wife won’t be there when I get back to the ward, which so far, she always has been. But mixed with the anxiety is a ton of hope. Hope that this will work, and I will be able to wear flo (my prosthetic) again. Even if it’s just some of the time! I’d even take 20% right now! I’ve accepted the fact (mostly!!) that I can not run again, and my sports will need to be slightly different, but I can’t accept never walking again.

The above photo was taken last week. Yep, I’m back out there, training for my first half marathon using my wheelchair. On the 5th of September I will be wheeling through Bridgewater in their half marathon. I can’t wait. Then who knows? Hopefully a marathon next! My wife will be running it too, although she will probably have time for a cup of tea and a nap at the finish line, by the time I get there!! But it’s all good fun.

So with the pending hospitalisation in mind, a few people have asked what the most important thing is for one to take into hospital. So I have thought of a few, which I wouldn’t be without.

1) Ear plugs. Hospitals are supposed to be a healing environment, but trust me, you won’t get much sleep, especially post operation. As an ex registered nurse, I can tell you, I was one of those annoying people who would wake my patient at all hours to take their blood pressure! To put in needles, remove needles, pop in tubes, remove tubes, change dressings, check your daily oblutions! You name it, the list is endless. Plus, unless your accustomed to communal sleeping arrangements, you can pretty much expect that half the room will snore! So, ear plugs are a definite necessity.

2) My portable dvd player and a ton of dvd’s. Why do I take this, in this technical age of tablets etc.. Well you may be surprised to know that not all hospitals will let you have their WiFi password, and the tvs can be hideously expensive, up to £20 for 3 days in some places. So as a fail safe, I take my own entertainment.

3) Your own snacks and Tea bags! If your like me, and allergic to gluten, you can never tell what food your going to get. Although I have to say, so far it’s been pretty ok, the snacks are pretty limited. When I’m in pain I struggle to eat, and when I’m nautious, even more so. So I like to have my haribo to hand, which is about the only thing I can stomach when pain and nausea come calling. Tea bags… well, I can blame Piers Morgan for that one. I never used to be a Tea snob, until one morning, whilst watching GMB, good old Piers mentioned he only drinks Yorkshire gold. So one day I decided to see what the fuss was about… Needless to say no other Tea bags will now suffice, and as a result I will be taking in my own bags for a proper cup of tea!

As for other bits and bobs, it’s up to you. I would of course recommend pants and pyjamas, and some good reading. I will be taking in the first part of my manuscript to continue the editing process, which never seems to end! Plus a couple of books to read.

So for the next few days, and for a few before, I am on strict isolation. The boredom is setting in… although I have lots of work to do, I miss riding my hald bike and wheeling. But not long now and if all goes well, I will be back to it. Have a great weekend all 😁