I am terrible at sport. Aged 12 I scored my first ever goal. A stray ball travelling at speed struck my poor gut, winding me terribly. After I stopped crying it became apparent to me that the orb had in fact "gone in the onion bag" (as I'm informed people do actually say). Capitalising on that early success, I am now running a 10k at the (still young) age of 32.

One year ago we were really lucky to have a beautiful baby daughter called Norah. She has inherited my wife's sense of humour, and my coordination. She's an absolute delight. Her birth, like so many, was traumatic. 

The birth plan was ripped up only a few hours into labour when the home birth that was planned transferred to hospital due to high blood pressure. My wife gave birth to Norah using only gas and air even when both a ventouse and episiotomy were required. All seemed well until she developed sepsis a week later and was readmitted to hospital. 

Working through the trauma that has resulted has been a long and at times tricky process. As a couple who had done the NCT course and like to keep informed, we had very little understanding of post partum issues and mental health. It is hard not to feel that a greater awareness of these issues and better funding for services that support women after birth would benefit many thousands of women in the UK every year. So please donate to this charity to support them in their good work.

I have hated every moment preparing for this 10k. I feel like loads of people take up running and it makes me feel like one of the crowd which compounds my horror. Mainly I miss having knees that let me walk in a way that doesn't make people think I have a genital injury. Consequently my training has been limited as will be evident in my race time. 

Hopefully my momentary displeasure will be a small way of helping a new mother get through a really tough time in her life.

Thanks,

David

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