I hate running. My muffin top fat bashes into my bum fat with each step,
my brain tells my lungs to panic and I can't breathe, my bowels like to tell me I need to find a TOILET RIGHT NOW and I have therefore attempted to avoid it at all costs my entire life. I assure you I am not a sporty or athletic person and this is without a doubt a terrible idea...
But... this year I'm running a half marathon (13.1 miles) on my own birthday of all days (!!!)...

So here's why I'm doing this and here's my attempt to convince you to make a small donation.

In case you don't know, I have Crohn's disease. I was diagnosed a week before my 21st birthday, at which point my insides were so messy I had to have emergency surgery to have my bowel taken apart and put back together again. I spent 10 years before this being told it was 'all in my head' or 'just constipation' or normal 'woman's problems'. I was very much used to living in constant pain and some days total agony, if I'm perfectly honest. I had no energy, took a lot of Tramadol and had a hot water bottle almost permanently glued to my stomach. The idea of running even one mile then, was ludicrous. The surgery changed my life and I promised myself to try and make up for lost time by seizing everyday I wake up pain free with a smile (which now apparently involves running)! 

Throughout all this, Stu was at my side. He came to the hospital every single day (could be something to do with the pretty nurse who had a crush on him...), he carried me in his arms to my commode, he drunk my gross ensure meal replacements and pretended it was me to the doctors (naughty!!) and snuck in my favourite foods instead. 

But then.... PLOT TWIST.... about two years ago, he was diagnosed with Crohn's evil twin, Ulcerative Colitis. True love is matching diseases.... apparently. My heart breaks to see the one I love in pain, suffering - I feel helpless and desperate to do anything that might make him feel better .... ENTER HALF MARATHON. 

So this bonkers birthday run is an 'up yours' to Crohn's and every mile in support of Stu's own brave fight (he managed to get a flipping doctorate despite his own immune system going nuclear on itself!!).

Crohn's and Colitis are debilitating chronic diseases which cause severe pain, exhaustion, diarrhoea, ulcers, and a whole host of un-enjoyable accompanying symptoms. Though we often might not 'look or seem ill' don't underestimate the fighting power and strength of someone with IBD (YEAH! TAKE THAT -FIERCE!). 
 
So a little bit about why I am doing this for Crohn's and Colitis UK.....

They provide information, guidance and support at times when you can feel really lost, scared and alone. Here are just some ways they have helped me.....

1) Before my first colonoscopy (the one that pretty much saved my life) I googled 'do colonoscopies hurt?' and I came across the answer 'It is the most traumatic and painful thing you will ever endure, I had to be restrained on the table'... I freaked out and turned to a forum run by Crohn's and Colitis UK where I was reassured by a network or Crohnies and made to feel SO much better about the whole thing (and a little excited about the sedative if i'm honest :p ). 

2) I was at uni when I needed surgery and this amazing charity gave me a grant of £500 to cover the costs that the time off and disease had left me having to pay. I promised I would pay them back, plus interest, so here I am!

3) Stu is on a whole lotta drugs to control his UC and all my questions about them and their side effects are answered by information sheets made by this charity.

4) They helped me find cheap travel insurance when all the companies wanted to charge me huge fees as a result of my condition. 

5) They share stories of people living happy, healthy lives. They inspire me and make me feel like i'm part of a kick ass community of rock stars. 

OKAY I'LL STOP NOW.... But hopefully you understand why I'm doing this, not just for me and not just for Stu, but for all the other scared newly diagnosed fighters too! 

Please make a donation of whatever you can and I promise to do my very best to cross the finish line without passing out, vomiting or crapping my pants (TBC).