Emma Timms
Emma's London Marathon 2017
Fundraising for The Air Ambulance Service
Story
On the 23rd April 2017, I will be under taking one of my biggest challenges to date. Since I was a little girl I have watched the marathon in awe of those running and hoped that one day I would take part. It was something that has appeared on my bucket list. Having applied numerous times but sadly never getting a place, I decided that I would apply through the Air Ambulance and raise money for this worthwhile cause.
In 2012 my life changed and until recently it is not something I have not spoken openly about. One day whilst at work I collapsed, my health began to go through phases of feeling well, to feeling like even getting out of bed was an effort. My symptoms were managed but I never felt in control. This all changed in 2014 when a friend and colleague pushed me to seek help from a cardiologist.
In Feb 2015, I was diagnosed with a condition called POTS or Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome. PoTS is an abnormal increase in heart rate that occurs after sitting up or standing. It typically causes dizziness, fainting and other symptoms.
In PoTS, the autonomic nervous system doesn't work properly. There's a drop-in blood supply to the heart and brain when you become upright and the heart races to compensate for this. This effects everyone differently but sufferers struggle to work or work so a marathon is a huge achievement
October 2015, I had a big flare up and was signed off work, there were times when I wondered if I ever make it back to work. I was encouraged along with medication changes to exercise. This started with swimming and then running. Now running is something I love to do but struggled since 2012 to run. Slowly but surely I found my feet and fell in love with running all over again.
In 2016 I successfully completed the two castle Run 10km and very recently completed the Bournemouth Half Marathon. Over the last year I have learnt to embrace my condition and worked very hard to manage it and proved to myself that I am a very determined lady. 26.2 miles is going to be a huge undertaking but one I look forward to for such a worthy cause.
As some of you may know I work, as a Cardiac Nurse Specialist. I have chosen to run for The Air Ambulance Service, as it is a charity whose work I see daily within the busy emergency department that I work. The Air Ambulance Service often brings us our most poorly patients whose chances of survival are vastly improved by the expedient expert care this life saving charity provides. This service saves lives but relies on donations to run and receives no government funding.
In 2012 my life changed and until recently it is not something I have not spoken openly about. One day whilst at work I collapsed, my health began to go through phases of feeling well, to feeling like even getting out of bed was an effort. My symptoms were managed but I never felt in control. This all changed in 2014 when a friend and colleague pushed me to seek help from a cardiologist.
In Feb 2015, I was diagnosed with a condition called POTS or Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome. PoTS is an abnormal increase in heart rate that occurs after sitting up or standing. It typically causes dizziness, fainting and other symptoms.
In PoTS, the autonomic nervous system doesn't work properly. There's a drop-in blood supply to the heart and brain when you become upright and the heart races to compensate for this. This effects everyone differently but sufferers struggle to work or work so a marathon is a huge achievement
October 2015, I had a big flare up and was signed off work, there were times when I wondered if I ever make it back to work. I was encouraged along with medication changes to exercise. This started with swimming and then running. Now running is something I love to do but struggled since 2012 to run. Slowly but surely I found my feet and fell in love with running all over again.
In 2016 I successfully completed the two castle Run 10km and very recently completed the Bournemouth Half Marathon. Over the last year I have learnt to embrace my condition and worked very hard to manage it and proved to myself that I am a very determined lady. 26.2 miles is going to be a huge undertaking but one I look forward to for such a worthy cause.
As some of you may know I work, as a Cardiac Nurse Specialist. I have chosen to run for The Air Ambulance Service, as it is a charity whose work I see daily within the busy emergency department that I work. The Air Ambulance Service often brings us our most poorly patients whose chances of survival are vastly improved by the expedient expert care this life saving charity provides. This service saves lives but relies on donations to run and receives no government funding.
Over the next 6 months I am undertaking a variety of fundraising activities to reach my goal of £2000. I will give weekly updates and will post all my training runs on both Facebook and twitter so you can follow my journey. So please dig deep every single penny counts and this money will help save lives.
Thank you for taking the time to read. If you would like more information about POTS or the Air Ambulance service, please get in touch
Lots of Love Emma xxxxxx