Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page. If you can't be bothered to read through all the blah blah then just give me some money, please thank you bye!

What's this all about?

Many of you will know that the past 11 years have been a bit tricky for me healthwise as I have struggled with chronic pain, stiffness, fatigue and seemingly random bouts of unconsciousness.

My general fitness hit rock bottom in 2010 until finally, in 2011 I received the diagnosis of Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (and the related PoTS syndrome). You can read about these exciting and exotic conditions here: 

http://www.ehlers-danlos.org/index.php/ehlers-danlos-syndrome-mainmenu-17

http://www.potsuk.org/

Getting the right diagnosis allowed me to access the specialist NHS services which have helped me tremendously. I will continue to need to use a wheelchair / rolator / walking stick some of the time and for some activities and there is no cure for EDS or PoTS but I know that with careful training I could get a lot fitter. 

In Autumn 2012 I began swimming regularly for the first time since Blur battled Oasis for the top of the Hit Parade and by July 2013 I felt ready for my next challenge. The Tri-together triathlon is the perfect event for me as it is open to people of all abilities whatever their impairments. 

Leonard Cheshire Disability do fantastic work campaigning for disability awareness and disabled people's equality as well as providing over 200 projects that make a practical difference to people's lives. 

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please sponsor me today and WITNESS THE FITNESS!

 

My inspiration

These are some of the people who have inspired me to give this a go:

*My friend Billie Leicester who took up triathlons to get fit enough to have a baby. She's currently spending most of her time under her twin baby girls so triathlons must be powerful things**. 

*My friend Judy Grundy who climbed Ben-y-Vrakie in Pitlochry during the final months of her life in 2011 and was an inspiration to all who knew her.

*The world champion paratriathlete Jane Egan (who lives just down the road in Kilbarchan) has been helping me understand how training and chronic pain need not be mutually exclusive. http://www.lcdisability.org/?lid=22990

*Paula - I met Paula at the Tri-taster day in early July. At that point I was still unsure whether to attempt the triathlon or not. Then Paula told me that not only was she trying ALL the sports in the run up to the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow 2014 but also that she is aquaphobic. Respect. You can read more about her personal challenge here: http://www.paulamusttryharder.co.uk/

*Donna - Like me Donna lives with multiple chronic conditions, including EDS. Her 'beating limitations' philosophy has had a huge influence on me over the past year: http://www.beatinglimitations.com/

 *My friend Kat Mitchell who has spent the past couple of years transforming her (admittedly already super fit) form into that of a body builder. She has shown me how powerful the simple acts of eating the right things and lifting up heavy stuff can be.

My sporting distinctions to date are:

- Came 2nd in Portway Junior School egg and spoon race circa 1986. Mum says I won. I'm sure I would remember that. Looking at the picture I fear I may have been given penalty points for not having my other hand behind my back. 

- FAILED cycling proficiency test in 1988 and became legendary as the first person to do so in my school's history. Never got my triangular tie pin. 

- Didn't learn to swim until age 19 and can still only do breaststroke with my head poking out the water like an old lady trying to keep her perm dry.

If I make my fundraising target I will share pictures of me training in a tri-suit!

I'm not sure how much of an incentive to donate this actually is....

 

This is probably the only body I will ever have. Let's see what it can do...

 

**NEWSFLASH** Billie has decided to join me on the triathlon! You can sponsor her here:

http://www.justgiving.com/Belinda-Leicester