Raj's The Spine Fusion page
Raj Mahapatra is raising money for National Axial Spondyloarthritis Society
Story
Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.
I was diagnosed with AS 25 years ago. Quick reminder, Ankylosing Spondylitis is an inflammatory condition that causes alot of pain (often called flares) and can lead over time to the fusion of the spine.
I took up ultra running 8 years ago, I found that it really helped with management of the pain and flares.
Just over four years ago I became the Chair of the National Ankylosing Spondylitis Society (and soon after a Trustee of the Ankylosing Spondylitis International Federation, representing over 30 countries' patient organisations).
About four years ago I heard about the Spine Race. The entire Pennine Way, all 268 miles of it, in one go. But it's run in January, and you have to be slightly unhinged to do it. But there is a short version, called the Spine Challenger. Now as someone with AS there would be a certain irony. But still it's in January and the cold combined with AS, it would really be a huge challenge (like running 100 miles is ever not!).
A couple of years ago the Spine Race organisers announced two new summer races. The Spine Fusion and the Spine Flare (http://thespinerace.com/msff/). And without knowing about AS! I contacted them immedately and a week later we announced that the most brutal race I know of has an official charity, the National Ankylosing Spondylitis Society. To me this is the most appropriate partnership I can imagine.
Tomorrow, I'll be taking on the Spine Fusion for a second time. Last year it was Revenant in quality. this year looks set to be the opposite with a heatwave on the cards.
People with AS are told that AS responds well to moderate exercise. What we aren't told is that everyone's moderate is different. For me, moderate is, by most people's measure, fairly extreme. If you have AS and you are reading this, I'm hoping that by me doing this you will be inspired to find your moderate.
I will be wearing a tracker throughout the race which you can find here, http://live.opentracking.co.uk/spinefusion18/
I'm number 227.
And if you find me on Facebook, I'll be using Facebook Live from time to time.
Please do share this on!
Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.
I was diagnosed with AS 25 years ago. Quick reminder, Ankylosing Spondylitis is an inflammatory condition that causes alot of pain (often called flares) and can lead over time to the fusion of the spine.
I took up ultra running 8 years ago, I found that it really helped with management of the pain and flares.
Just over four years ago I became the Chair of the National Ankylosing Spondylitis Society (and soon after a Trustee of the Ankylosing Spondylitis International Federation, representing over 30 countries' patient organisations).
About four years ago I heard about the Spine Race. The entire Pennine Way, all 268 miles of it, in one go. But it's run in January, and you have to be slightly unhinged to do it. But there is a short version, called the Spine Challenger. Now as someone with AS there would be a certain irony. But still it's in January and the cold combined with AS, it would really be a huge challenge (like running 100 miles is ever not!).
A couple of years ago the Spine Race organisers announced two new summer races. The Spine Fusion and the Spine Flare (http://thespinerace.com/msff/). And without knowing about AS! I contacted them immedately and a week later we announced that the most brutal race I know of has an official charity, the National Ankylosing Spondylitis Society. To me this is the most appropriate partnership I can imagine.
Tomorrow, I'll be taking on the Spine Fusion for a second time. Last year it was Revenant in quality. this year looks set to be the opposite with a heatwave on the cards.
People with AS are told that AS responds well to moderate exercise. What we aren't told is that everyone's moderate is different. For me, moderate is, by most people's measure, fairly extreme. If you have AS and you are reading this, I'm hoping that by me doing this you will be inspired to find your moderate.
I will be wearing a tracker throughout the race which you can find here, http://live.opentracking.co.uk/spinefusion18/
I'm number 227.
And if you find me on Facebook, I'll be using Facebook Live from time to time.
Please do share this on!
Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.