Mark Patterson
2 Years Since I Declared..."Its fine I know I have had a Stroke"
Fundraising for Alzheimer's Society
Story
For those who remember, the year was 2012... the Bupa Great North Run.
Following on from managing to do the 2011 Great North Run in 2h17m with only 2 weeks worth of training, I stupidly approached the 2012 GNR having only managed 2 days worth of training... The result?
I collapsed 200 metres from the end... ended up in a mini bus to the emergency first aid tent, got carried into a wheelchair, before declaring to 5 doctors... "its ok... I know I have had a stroke!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Aside from not remembering my name, where I lived, and not being able to walk or feel my face... I even had a volunteer apologise for being so nervous as he had never dealt with a stroke victim before!
I was then placed on a drip for an hour, and to my embarrassment told that the reality was, I was just severely dehydrated - and to go home!
When I was finally reunited with my wife she made me swear that I would never run the Great North Run again.
So, 2014... here I am about to embark on my 3rd Great North Run.
Why?
Well for 3 reasons...
1) The Alzheimer's Society is Inspired's chosen charity for 2014/15 - and the work they do is amazing and humbling. You never know what is around the corner, and when you may need help and this is a charity that helps so many people and their families
2) I can't have my last memory of the Great North Run collapsing so close to the end, and having a stroke that never was!
3) My mum is doing it this year, and it will be so amazing to start the run with her.
Oh... and as you all know... I am STUPID.
Anyway, I have done more training this year and have even lost a bit of weight... So there is hope for me yet.
I appreciate you are always getting asked for donations, but if you can spare anything for such a worthy cause, I will be so grateful.
Thanks,
Mark
Following on from managing to do the 2011 Great North Run in 2h17m with only 2 weeks worth of training, I stupidly approached the 2012 GNR having only managed 2 days worth of training... The result?
I collapsed 200 metres from the end... ended up in a mini bus to the emergency first aid tent, got carried into a wheelchair, before declaring to 5 doctors... "its ok... I know I have had a stroke!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Aside from not remembering my name, where I lived, and not being able to walk or feel my face... I even had a volunteer apologise for being so nervous as he had never dealt with a stroke victim before!
I was then placed on a drip for an hour, and to my embarrassment told that the reality was, I was just severely dehydrated - and to go home!
When I was finally reunited with my wife she made me swear that I would never run the Great North Run again.
So, 2014... here I am about to embark on my 3rd Great North Run.
Why?
Well for 3 reasons...
1) The Alzheimer's Society is Inspired's chosen charity for 2014/15 - and the work they do is amazing and humbling. You never know what is around the corner, and when you may need help and this is a charity that helps so many people and their families
2) I can't have my last memory of the Great North Run collapsing so close to the end, and having a stroke that never was!
3) My mum is doing it this year, and it will be so amazing to start the run with her.
Oh... and as you all know... I am STUPID.
Anyway, I have done more training this year and have even lost a bit of weight... So there is hope for me yet.
I appreciate you are always getting asked for donations, but if you can spare anything for such a worthy cause, I will be so grateful.
Thanks,
Mark