Looks like I’m running a marathon!

This year I will progress to tube feeding into my bowel a huge physical and psychological challenge. I am determined not to be beaten & continue to encourage others to keep doing their thing, the best way they can to LIVE with rare disease.

Manchester Marathon is one of my 2 challenges for 2026- the second is to run 12 half marathons across 12 months- which will span the before, during & after phase of tube feeding… I hope you can support that challenge too.

Here’s my story…

As many will know I am diagnosed with end stage Achalasia, which essentially means the medical and surgical options for managing this rare swallowing disorder are pretty much exhausted. I have a limited soft diet which is supplemented by prescription nutrition which give me the nutrients I cannot swallow and absorb from food.

My oesophagus (food pipe and stomach) neither works to push food down or prevent food, drink and saliva coming up. This means I frequently experience choking and aspiration in the night, leading to chest infections, poor sleep & fatigue. Food & drink just doesn’t go down or stay down!

I run to keep fit, strong and maintain bone density, to help regulate breathing and lung capacity, to keep routine meet other people & support my mental health!

I run in races like this to raise awareness & funds for Achalasia Action and to encourage others to give what they want to do a go & live your best life! At some point I may not be able to do this, so I’ll do it while I can!

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