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Following my twin boy, Ethan's operation at Alder Hey Hospital in November 2009 I wanted to find a way of giving something back to this fantastic hospital. I can't speak highly enough of the treatment Ethan received and the care and understanding shown by all the staff from the moment of our first consultation.

At birth we noticed that the shape of Ethan's head wasn't right. It certainly looked very different from his twin brother Archie's. We weren't taken seriously at first, but we persevered and eventually the doctors arranged for a scan. This showed that one of the bones in his head had already fused meaning his growing brain would force his head shape to continue to become more pronounced in one direction (his forehead was already protruding even at this early stage). It could ultimately lead to learning difficulties due to lack of room for the brain to develop fully. The condition is commonly known as cranial synostosis. We were referred to Alder Hey Hospital in Liverpool and seen by a great team of specialists and nurses, led by Mr Paul May, a world renowned surgeon. He explained that Ethan would need an operation at around 5 months and would spend up to a week in hospital. The good news was once he had been operated on he would need no further treatment.

Ethan's operation in early November took 3-4 hours and went as well as could be expected. We were told that after day 2 his head would swell up, he wouldn't be able to open his eyes and it would be a difficult couple of days and nights for us all. His head did start to swell up, but the day after that, it had disappeared completely, so much so that only 3 days after the operation he was allowed to come home. All the doctors and nurses remarked that they had never seen a baby or child recover that fast from such an operation. We went back for a check up 2 weeks later and he was seen for less than a minute. His recovery was that good. Now we are just waiting for the scars to heal fully, but he's back to being a normal little baby boy, even, we think, happier in himself since having the operation.

So, having done some running quite a long time ago and when a colleague at work mentioned to me the Liverpool Half Marathon, I thought I might try to get back into it. So, the following Saturday morning, having been woken up at 4am by the boys for a feed, I couldn't get back to sleep for thinking about giving the running a go and doing some fundraising for Alder Hey. So much so, that I said to Fiona "I'm going for a run". 

It was 5.30am at this time. It was dark and cold as I set off down the country lanes that surround our house in Acton Bridge. So dark that I couldn't really see where I was going, ended up on the grass verges a few times, stumbled over some speed bumps in the road, but I kept on going. I'd said to Fiona that I'd do 15 minutes then turn round and run back again. But I got to 15 minutes and thought I'd carry on and do a circular route as it felt about the same distance to get home. Turned out to be a bit further than I expected. I eventually staggered down our road and home in a shade over 48 minutes. Straight into the bath for a hot soak and I didn't feel too bad....at that point. I checked on Google Maps and worked out that I'd run 5 miles, which is over a third distance of the Half Marathon. Made me feel a bit better again. Later in the day, though, the pain started to kick in, all over!! But by then I'd decided I would enter the half marathon, so there was no going back.

So, there you have it, my (and Ethan's little story). I'm now in full training and aiming to complete the course in under 2 hours. That's my personal goal for the run, but I also want to raise as much money as possible for the Alder Hey Hospital and I know that the more money I see pledged the more determined it will make me to train hard and finish the Half Marathon. So, please take the time to donate some of your hard earned cash to a really really worthwhile cause.

Training Update - 4 weeks to go - I knew it wasn't going to be easy!!

I knew I would find it hard training for the half marathon as running is something I've never enjoyed, but I didn't consider I would be injured and unable to run for 2 months. Shortly before Christmas I suffered a calf strain and instead of resting I tried to run on it again. With hindsight I should have rested for a few weeks, but I was impatient to get out and increase my miles each week. I've ended up effectively losing about 8 weeks of training as a result. But, the last 2 weeks I've started up again and touch wood, been pain free. Now, with only 4 weeks to go until the race, I'm concentrating on building up the distances each week, with a target of reaching 9 miles the week before the big day. That way I'll know I've done 75% distance and hopefully be able to make it the final 4 miles. If I can't run the full distance, then I'll walk it. I'm more determined now than ever to complete the race.

It's Done!!

Well, I managed to complete the course. In fact, I covered the 13.2 miles in 1 hour 58 minutes and 2 seconds, which was better than I had hoped for. The first 9 miles was fine as I'd trained up to that distance. At that point I decided to go a bit faster because I reckoned a sub 2 hour time was possible. Unfortunately, the last 4 miles were into a stiff sea breeze so it was really hard work. But I kept pressing on and did my time, though the pain in my legs lasted 2-3 days afterwards (going down stairs was especially painful).

So, thanks again to everybody who has already donated, your money did give me a big incentive to keep going. Without I may just have packed up with the injury I had and maybe not pushed as hard during the race.

If you haven't donated yet, please take the opportunity now...every penny counts...and pass the link onto your friends as well please.

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So please dig deep and donate now.