Just less than five weeks to go now!! I'm not feeling totally confident (it's still very daunting) but I am feeling quite contented. I've been putting in the miles. I've been testing things out. I've learnt so much. I'm nearly ready. Next weekend is the big one before I start tapering: three back to backs. 40:50:40 km each day over the bank holiday weekend. Living out of the bags in some dodgy B+Bs. Completing the Cleveland Way. I do have a very understanding and supportive wife don't I? Back to this weekend though. Where have I been? Maybe Scotland? Maybe Japan? Maybe New Zealand? Or maybe even to Cusco in Peru? No. Just Blighty. All in a day's work on the Nidderdale Way on a 26 miler across to Pateley Bridge. Just a reminder that you can donate to the charities I'm supporting, if you haven't already (and thanks to those who already have!) by clicking or copying the link below. https://www.justgiving.com/team/brucelepetitjog Also, on the ...
So what's that other charity I'll be fundraising for?
I find it difficult to write about this. It is something I've hidden for many years. I had severe ulcerative colitis in my mid 20's and needed my large bowel (or colon) removing. I had a replumbing operation 6 months later called an ileoanal pouch. Only my nearest and dearest or those that knew me at the time when it all happened know.
It was when I was making the decision whether to do the LEJOG run that I had a light bulb moment. It was this that was stopping me. Not the physical challenge itself (although daunting). My catastrophising mind asks how could I share a room with someone I don't know for 5 weeks, with my frequent and explosive ablutions, knowing that if I can't relax, the converse happens and I become a one man abdominal pressure cooker/washing machine, ready to blow? How can I manage to fuel myself during my run, knowing that if I eat anything it immediately makes me want to go to the loo and can be excruciatingly painful with all that jiggling up and down? How can I can stay hydrated when exerting myself for so long when the very thing that reabsorbs all the fluid in my gut is missing?
It is nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed of and what better way of banishing it as a barrier than outing it and normalising it and giving hope and inspiration to others who have a pouch or are about to go through the operation. Life goes on. So that is why I've linked up with the Ileostomy and Internal Pouch Association. We're going to be working on some projects over the months to raise awareness, funds and hope.
Don't get me wrong, it's all been fine and I will cope. The barriers I describe are real but blown out of proportion in my mind - but when something is stopping you doing things you want to do, it's time to address it.
I've probably overshared, not just on this post but throughout my blog, for which I was going to apologise. But I'm not. I'm not sorry at all.
If you feel inspired, please donate to IA (Ileostomy and Internal Pouch Association), the national charity whose primary aim is to support people who need surgery for an ileostomy or internal pouch. IA provides specialist support and guidance through its trained volunteers, telephone helpline, extensive range of literature, and social media.
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