Janine Cruickshank
TEAM Clare & VUK-Amsterdam Marathon 2013
Fundraising for Vasculitis UK
Story
TEAM Clare Journey 2013/2014
The next leg of the TEAM Clare Journey is about to begin, but this time I have got some new amigos on board, to join me in my quest to continue to raise money for Clare’s chosen charity Vasculitis UK (VUK).
During 2011/2012 I met other Vasculitis sufferers through the South East VUK support group organised by one of my new amigo’s Jacqui Moran, who also suffers from Vasculitis, I have learnt about the disease, the many variations of it and how it affects all differently.
I have found it upsetting at times reading about and listening to those who have Vasculitis , what they go through and the struggles they are facing including their families.
The support each of them receive through the amazing VUK network, the continued research and testing that is set up, the pillow and post of the VUK charity, John and Susan Mills, their continued hard work and dedication to the charity is worth so much to the cause.
What I have learnt through my journey mostly is the courage and strength I have seen from Clare’s family since her untimely passing 2 years ago, I saw this when I was sat around a table with her brother Kev, sister in law Leslie, Mom and Dad, Bonny and Ray in Portugal. They were staying in the same area as me at the same time, could it be any more of a coincidence last September.
We shared lots of laughter, and in that moment I was moved by the stories they shared with me, and through them I could see Clare’s personality and why she was so special to firstly her whole family but also the affectionate personality she had and the life and the sole of the party to everyone that knew her.
Recalling my own memories of Clare, and remembering the battles I faced running two marathons in 6 months was now no way near as painful compared to what the many vasculitis sufferers and their families go through on a day to day basis. And for this reason I ask you to join me again on this journey.
I could not have done what I did without your support, your encouragement and above all helping to keep the candle burning for Our Clare, never forgetting, always remembering, the many hearts she touched and most importantly now the strength we all gained through the TEAM we have become, through one person, Clare. For that reason and the many reasons to continue to support VUK, this journey can never end, keeping the hope and Clare’s spirit alive for all the VUK family.
2013/2014 Coach Pete and I have selected 7 races which I will run for VUK towards the Amsterdam Marathon in October, I feel truly proud this year to run with the VUK team along with Clare’s brothers Kev and Steve and Kev’s niece Joanne Jones at the London 10km in July.
The races I will be doing for VUK are: 14 April: Darent Valley 10km, 6 May: Whitstable 10km, 14 July London 10km, 28 July: Harlow 10, 26 August Canterbury Half Marathon, 13 October Julie Rose Ashford 10km; 20 October AMSTERDAM MARATHON with Running Crazy
“We do Can do this !” TEAM Clare & VUK
22nd April London Marathon 2012- Marathon Number 2 completed 3hr 07.48 finishing 105th Woman. It was tough in the last 10 miles, as bad luck would have it I got a stitch at 16 miles, after running through it! had lost some focus, and even though in the last few miles I felt much better it was a race againist the clock by then! The whole expereince has made me have huge hights and huge lows, running for Team Clare and doing something I never thought I could do, by running two marathons in 5 months . Thank you everyone for your messages, your support and most of all your money that you have donated to Vasculitis UK, and helping us to keep on the quest to find a cure for the disease. Clare has often been in thoughts, her true grit and determination will always be remembered, and I honestly believe that when times got hard in both the marathons, suddenly I would feel the sun shine my back and our clare willing me on! Thank you for joining me on my journey. I will never forget this ! XXX photos of london on this link unde rmy race # 406 http://www.marathonfoto.com/index.cfm?action=site.login
With 1 Week to go until my 7 and final marathon !!!! everything is moving forward for Team Clare…. It’s so hard to imagine that it’s been over a year now since Clare has been gone, in every race in 2011/2012 I have reminded myself why I am doing two marathons in 5 months. Its also hard for me to believe that this time last year I had, had a nasty car accidentwhich ultimately could have been so much worse and changed my whole out look on life, the thought of running one marathon was hard to even imagine let alone to run two, but here I am, thanks to you guys who have supported me on this journey. There has huge highs and huge lows but in all I’m just so thankful for everything and to everyone that has helped get me to this point. To the medical teams , the “twenty four” phsio treatments and the sports massages from Leslie and Ian keeping my body in one piece. Inspiration that drives me everytime I run is knowing that Clare is close by when times have got tough, and knowing that the money i raise will go towards Vasculitis UK research into finding a cure for what Clare had.
Long term Coach Peter Russell said to me after Paddock Wood ½ Marathon that it would take him 8 years to get me to a potential sub 3hour marathon, he wasn’t wrong! under his guidance and support I hope to better my personal best time of 3hr04 and set a new life time best time on Sunday, fingers crossed I can do him and Team Clare proud .
My race number is 406, I shall not be using a tracker on the day, but in my mind I know that each and every one of you will be with me on the day willing me on, I want to take this opportunity to thank u for sponsoring me, your messages, your kindness and support is going to drive me through those last few miles. It has certainly been an emotional journey but come Sunday it will all be worth it!”!”!”
New York City Marathon 6 November 2011
Photos of the ninja in New York 2011 Marathon below: http://www2.brightroom.com/email/82760/7609/129508639
UPDATE.....FINISHED SUNDAY'S NYC MARATHON IN 3 HOUR 13 MINUTES TO FINISH 216TH FEMALE AND 51ST IN MY AGE GROUP, NOT BAD IN A FIELD OF 47,000 RUNNERS ........& 2 MINUTES INSIDE THE CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFYING TIME FOR LONDON 2012!!!!!..........
About Our Clare
Sunday 6th November I will be taking part in the New York Marathon dressed as "Wonder Woman!" This marathon marks the most personal one I will run because it will be in memory of a great team mate and friend Clare Grossman, or as I knew her at Ashford Athletic Club, Clare Soper. Clare passed away after fighting the rarest form of Wegners Vasculitis which is inflammation of blood vessels that affect the lungs, kidneys and other major organs. Wegner's Vasculitis is a life threatening condition and there is no cure for this disease at this stage.
Clare fought Vasculitis for many months, in the end her body couldn't fight it anymore, so hard to comprehend when she was just 38 years old, a mother, a wife, a daughter, a sister, an aunt, a cousin and for me an old team mate and friend who was the focal point on my team, Ashford Athletic Club, she was a true leader, alongside Manager and top dog "derky!".
I learnt so much from her as a young athlete going into the senior ranks when I first competed in the "Big Girls League!!". Clare led a tight rope when we was on our Ostend trips, making sure we stayed out of mischief, I recall her smile, her laugh, her enthusiasm, and her commitment to as Clare would put it "stuffing it up em!", and beating all the other athletic clubs in the league, we'll never get those days back, the team then was the best it ever will be, when we were on the road to UK women's leagues, she made us laugh, Clare was never afraid to say what she thought but that's why we loved her.
When I found out she was ill, I was shocked, although she had not been competing for some years for the club for years to concentrate on family, I still remembered her as the lively, happy Clare, that fighting spirit, the last time I saw Clare she came with mom Bonny to watch us at an athletics meeting, She always had an eye over us all even joked about her comeback and the good ol days!! even though she was not competing, for me Clare was always a part of the team, she never went away, she even was there when the Julie Rose stadium, was under threat of closure with mom Bonny.
Clare's cest for life touched so many of us in so many ways, for me, this 26.2 mile journey is for you Clare!!! and no doubt I'll hear her shouting "c'mon J9, stuff up it em!!" as her and derky often did from the athletic stands!!!!, that’s when I know I must dig deep, that’s what Clare would have done, she would not have given up and fought all the way till the end.
My aim is to raise as much money as possible for more research to be done into finding a cure for Vasculitis, so others don’t have to go through what Clare’s family and friends have had to go through losing her, but we all know she is still there in spirit.
Let’s keep Clare's spirit alive and help me raise as much money on my 26.2 mile journey as we can for Vasculitis UK if we can save one life, then thats better then none.