Story
In March, I’m running 126km across Gran Canaria. Starting in the north at Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and finishing in the south at Maspalomas. Climbing over 6500m of elevation, it will be the furthest and by far the most challenging run I've attempted to date.
I’ve always wanted to raise money for a cause that is meaningful and close to my heart. My lovely sister comes to mind, for she is so beautiful and strong, and has been living with endometriosis for most of her life knowing something wasn't right until she was diagnosed in 2018. Off the back of this, she didn’t let it defeat her or lessen her ability, she turned to raising awareness and being an advocate for peoples stories with endometriosis. She has done amazing things whilst living with this debilitating illness, and it only feels right to advocate for her. Doing my small part, running a small event, all for a important cause.
My lovely sisters story,
I started my periods when I was around 15 years old and from the onset, they were excruciatingly painful. I would be bedridden or housebound for days in pain, I would miss school or university and need the max amounts of over the counter painkillers and even they didn’t work. I was back and forth to doctors constantly, yet no one would listen. I was very often told that my pain is “normal”, and met with comments like “you’re one of the unlucky ones” and “it’s just something you have to deal with as a woman”. I was even asked “are you sure you are not over-exaggerating?”. It wasn’t until I started getting chronic pain in December 2018, that Endometriosis was finally questioned, after a 10 year battle of pain. When I eventually had an MRI in April, I found out I had severe Endometriosis all over my left ovary, with my bowel being attached to both my uterus and ovary. I went on to eventually have major Endometriosis excision surgery in December 2020. Endometriosis was found on my ovaries, all over my bowel, kidney ureters and severe inflammation in and around my bladder. Since having my surgery I’ve been doing better and have amazingly gone on to have my daughter, Evelyn, our little rainbow baby. But there’s always an underlying worry of when will it return and when will I need surgery again.
Endometriosis is a lifelong, debilitating condition that affects 1 in 10. It affects not only the physical health of someone with it, but their mental health, social life, career, fertility and so much more. Its impact is huge and we need more funding, more answers, more support and diagnosis sooner than the 8 years average it currently sits at.
As some extra impetus to dial in my training and get me through the day, I’m raising money for The Endometriosis Foundation. They are an organisation dedicated to raising awareness, educating and supporting people affected by endometriosis. This is for my sister, all the strong women in my life affected by or experience endometriosis, and all the role models surrounding the women experience it.
Anything, big or small is greatly appreciated. I will be doing fornightly update on my substack, if you'd like to follow trianing.
https://joshburge.substack.com/
With love,
J x