When I was a baby my parents noticed I had problems crawling. They discovered I had a disability to my pelvic bones. With treatment and as I grew, the disability was corrected. I have been able to live an active life and enjoy physical exercise.
Being a keen keep fit enthusiast, I decided a couple of years ago to set myself a challenge so I could help someone who was less fortunate than myself. The challenge is called the 3 Continents Challenge because I will run 2 marathons, London, (Europe), New York, (USA) and climb Kilimanjaro, (Africa). My goal is to do all three in 1 year (April 2011 - March 2012).
I work in the hospitality industry and at a lunch event in 2010 I met organisers from The Queen Elizabeth's Foundation for Disabled People. I was deeply moved by the work they do and decided I would like to use my challenge to raise money for this charity. The charities work is very special to me because I once had a disability which I had to overcome. The QEF provide Residential Care, Independant Living Services to help disabled people develop practical life skills, Mobility Services, Neuro Rehabilitation Services and Vocational Service to provide training/retraining.
The QEF enables and supports disabled people living with physical and learning disabilities to increase independence, improve life skills and to achieve their goals for life.
The money I raise will be used to build a new development for Vocational Services providing more facilities for training/retraining.
Please help and support me on my challenge.
I completed The Virgin London Marathon on Sunday 17 April 2011 in 4 hours, 49 minutes and 29 seconds. It was a great day although it was very hot by lunch time and the last 6 miles was tough for everybody. I am delighted with my finish time, I ran the whole way, met some amazing people and had a fantastic day.
I completed The Ing New York City Marathon on Sunday 6 November 2011 in 4 hours, 13 minutes. Not only did I beat my London time but I ran the race of my life. 6 weeks before New York I hurt my leg running a local half marathon in Windsor. I had been running well and on target for a 1 hour, 35 minute finish. At 10 miles I hurt my leg and walked the last 3 miles. I was in tears but I remembered why I was doing this challenge and I decided I would still go to New York whatever happens. I knew I had the determination and I was not going to let anyone down, especially the people who have inspired me at QEF. I started a 6 week course of physio and training. Fortunately I was not injured but I could not run. So I did cross training and cycling. I also stretched like I had never done before and learned some great new techniques. I knew I had to run again before New York. As 6 November moved closed I was realising I was facing the biggest battle of my life. A battle some people face every single day of their lives. 5 days before New York, I ran for 20 minutes. This was the first time I had ran in 6 weeks. On Sunday 6 November I stood on the start line for the Ing New York City Marathon wearing my QEF vest and I was very nervous. I kneeled and prayed. Durning the first mile, I heard a voice in my head. It was my gran and she told me she would see me at the finishing line. I was running well and my training was paying off. I remembered everything I had learned. My pace was indicating I was on for a great time. I was aiming for 4 hours, 30 minutes but my pace was quicker. Every mile passed and I felt great. I quickened the pace and was on target to finish 4 hours, 15 minutes. As I reached the last 200 metres I found the energy to speed up and when I crossed the finish line it was 4 hours, 13 minutes. I had ran the race of my life and I was delighted. At the QEF, disabled people are achieving goals for life. This is exactly what I did. Thank you to everyone who has supported me so far, I really do appreciate all your messages of good luck and kindness.
I have had a great time so far and achieved some personal bests; Asics London 10k in July, 45 minutes (previous was 48), Burnham Beeches half marathon in August, 1 hour, 36 minutes (previous half marathon was 1 hour 42), Spitfire 20 mile, 2 hours, 29 minutes (previous was 3 hours, 3 - YES I was 34 minutes faster which was mind blowing) and the best of all, The Ing New York City Marathon, 4 hours, 13 minutes beating my London time by 36 minutes. During my training I have fallen on tarmac, hurting my knees and for most of September, every muscle in my body hurt. I have been very fortunate not to have had any injuries. A big thank you to my personal trainer, Steve Dowse (Definition Lifestyle and Fitness) and physio, Claire Lake (Flames Physiotherapy) who have helped me so far.
In June, thanks to this page, I met a beautiful lady called Teresa. We started dating and Teresa will now join me for the final part of my challenge. Teresa has been very supportive of my training and has been a rock to me when it was tough. She is an incredible person who means the world to me - Thank you Kochanie (sweetheart in Polish) xxxxxx
We will climb Mount Kilimanjaro in February 2012. We leave London on 15 February and start the climb on 17 February for 6 days. We summit on day 7 and then come down in 1 day. We complete the trip with a Safari.
Over the winter months Teresa and I have been busy training and preparing for the trip. To start training again was tough enough but to maintain the training has been the toughest part of the challenges. After aches, pains, tears and vaccinations, the great news is we are ready, fit and healthy.
We have chosen to climb the Lemosho route which is a longer route but will help us to acclimatise. No training can prepare us to know how well we will acclimatise, however the longer we are on the mountain, the better the chances we have to reach the summit. Our bodies and fitness will be put to the test on Summit Day when we climb for 15 hours while temperatures fall to -20.
We both want to raise as much as we can and Teresa is joining me to help with my target of £5,000.
I have self funded the Challenge and so all the money donated will go to the charity.
3 Continents Challenge 2011/12 - believe in it and you will do it
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