Story
The National Ankylosing Spondylitis Society (NASS) is an amazing cause which provides support and advice for those who have been diagnosed with the condition, such as myself. Having gone through a bit of a rough patch and come out the other side in just about one piece, I feel it’s about time to dust off my running shoes, stop convincing myself that my health will improve with a high in cake, low in exercise routine, and run my very first marathon in Rutland…all 26.2 miles of it, come November. Shocking.
I can’t put into words how much I appreciate any donation, small or large (Dad, you fall into the latter category – cough up)…whether you know me and salute my total loss of sensibility, you know someone else with AS who you would like to support, or maybe the simple thought of me running on ice (it’s November after all) will have you reaching into your pockets.
If this is not enough for you, I have also roped in my (slightly more athletic) Mum Alison to raise even more money for the cause…
Alison has a somewhat more distinguished sporting career, highlights of which include representing the Royal Navy for swimming, completing many running races and ultra distance events (because sometimes marathons just aren’t enough) and she has even been a member of the British Triathlon team for the last two years.
Alison has agreed to complete her next challenge in aid of NASS – swimming the Hellespont on 30th August; a 3-mile swim which will take her all the way from Europe to Asia! For those who enjoy some historical fact, this is a traditional race commemorating the Turkish victory against the Greeks in the Turkish war of independence in 1922. The first person even recorded to swim the strait was Lord Byron in 1810!