Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

I'm running to raise money for a charity close to home. I want to push my body futher than I ever have to raise money for Infertility Network UK after my wife and I have struggled to conceive for nearly 4 years. With your support to keep me motivated, I hope to raise awareness and money for a very worthy cause.

I've told a more detailed story below so if I can borrow two minutes of your time, I'll tell you a little more...

My wife and I have been together now for near 14 years, so when we tied the knot 4 years ago, and having just bought our first home, we thought we were in a great position to start our dream little family.

We half expected for things not to happen immediately unless incredibly lucky, but as the months rolled on without any sign of conceiving, we started to get concerned.

We'd spoken to those nearest and dearest to us who offered heartfelt advice about relaxing and enjoying our time together and it will happen. We were hugely grateful and appreciative for any advice afforded to us. Yet, ultimately, things still weren't happening.

We sought medical advice after just over a year of trying to conceive, and at first, we were met with the same advice about relaxing, how long it can take following a woman coming off the contraceptive pill and so on. There seemed to be very little literature on the subject of infertility, as if it were taboo. And after lots of blood tests, sperm samples and consultations, there were very few answers in terms of any medical diagnosis of infertility with either one of us. We were however, fortunate enough to be offered treatment on the NHS that would hopefully help us to conceive.

The treatment itself is an uncomfortable experience, my part was little more than mild embarrassment at the end of each treatment cycle when I had to make my "donation". But for my wife, who had to endure day after day of hormone controlling injections, as well as the rather unpleasant and sometimes painful insemination procedure, to have the hope built up each time, only for the signs that we needn't bother taking a pregnancy test to show itself, was pure torture. I felt powerless! This cycle of hope followed by crushing disappointment, we have gone through four times in 2013/14 and it got to us both, physically and mentally.

When we found the Infertility Network, it was like a breath of fresh air. A wealth of information and stories that helped us realise that we weren't alone, and that actually, unexplained fertility issues are more common than public knowledge would have you know. And there isn't just information for us, there are guides and advice for friends and other family members, on what to do to support those facing these issues, and what not to say when trying to comfort and encourage them.

So during this whole story, we did lots of things to try and improve our chances. A few dietry improvements here and there, cutting out caffeine and alcohol, and starting to exercise more. That's where I picked up the running bug. A sport I used to think boring and pointless (not to mention torture!) suddenly became the easiest way to motivate myself to improve my fitness, set attainable goals, and it's even given me a chance to listen to my music more often!

I did the Plymouth 10k in November as a test. It pushed my lungs, and my knees to breaking point, and when I crossed the line just over an hour after I started, I've never felt so many conflicting emotions at once; a huge smile on my face with a lump in my throat and watery eyes. It was that moment that I knew had to push myself even further and do it for more than just my own benefit next time. I am asthmatic, and have one surgically repaired knee, with the other taking most of the strain, this is going to be tough, but I know with your support it can motivate me to succeed.

So, please, follow my journey. I'm here to raise awareness and break the taboo that seems to surround infertility issues in the UK and hopefully raise lots of money to help Infertility Network UK provide the abundent resources that are on offer to couples like us.

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