Throughout 2016 and 2017 I had been building up the distances I was running and had completed a number of ultra distance races. The ultra was a type of race that I was enjoying. I enjoyed the challenge of running the distance, the varied scenery that you’d see along the way, the friendliness of the runners and the overall sense of achievement.
My last official race was in March 2018 and was the EcoTrail de Paris 50 mile. I had completed it just 5 days after having surgery for a perianal abscess, a complication of Crohn’s Disease, and not long after I was hit by a Crohn’s flare up. The races suddenly stopped and I was barely able to run a parkrun. I resigned myself to not being able to run until I got things sorted out after which I would start again, no doubt from the bottom.
On April 28th, 2019 it will be 3-and-a-half months since my proctosigmoidectomy and I will be attempting my first timed race – the Gozo 10K in Malta. I want to use this race to raise money for Colostomy UK through their Team Colostomy UK initiative who provide support for people with New Bums (aka stomas) and people who are pursuing active lifestyles. Even though I’ve only just started running again, I’m proud to be affiliated with the organisation and the community of Active Ostomates and would be delighted to help support them by completing this race.
I originally signed up for the race before I elected to have surgery and at the time was hoping that medication would fix the flare up. Things changed and as the date for surgery was pushed back I wasn’t sure whether I would even be able to run in Malta. My recovery has been good and I have started running again.
I have managed to run some 5k and 10k training runs in the last couple of weeks and whilst tough, I have managed to complete the distance. I originally signed up for the Half Marathon but I think it’s wiser to step down to the 10k distance. I would rather try and enjoy the race than struggle and hate the longer distance.
Support Me
If you would like to support me, and Colostomy UK, we would be very grateful for any donations.
About Colostomy UK
Colostomy UK is a national charity that offers support and advice to people living with stomas, their families, carers, and friends. They’re here if you have questions, need support or just want to talk to someone who lives with a stoma.
They also run projects to empower ostomates to return to sports, hobbies and other interests and give them the confidence to take up fresh challenges. They are advocates for ostomates’ rights and their voice on the bigger issues.
Their campaigns raise awareness and encourage organisations to make their facilities more inclusive. Supporting and enhancing ostomates’ wellbeing is at the core of everything they do.
