Thank you for visiting our fundraising page for Endometriosis UK.

I (Katie) finally got my diagnosis of endometriosis in 2021, after years of my symptoms being dismissed with nothing more than painkillers. It wasn’t until James and I had failed to get pregnant that any investigation took place. By that point, I had visible endometriomas (cysts) on my ovaries, which meant it had already caused significant damage to my womb and ovaries, so I was unlikely to conceive naturally.

Since then, I’ve had 3 surgeries – including removing both my fallopian tubes - and had 3 rounds of IVF, all of which failed.

Many people don’t get answers as quickly as I did because endometriosis can’t be diagnosed without surgery. Only the cysts show up on scans, and even then, doctors can’t confirm the cause without operating. As a result, people can live with severe pain for years before getting any answers. It’s now estimated that it takes, on average, eight years to receive a diagnosis.

On top of that, I have often felt let down by the care available, and I know many people with this disease feel the same. Even after eventual diagnosis there is currently no cure - my endometriosis and endometriomas have grown back after each surgery.

Five years later and still not pregnant, we’ve decided to take a break from IVF and do something positive together. We both enjoy walking - although we’re definitely the kind of walkers who like to stop for lunch and end up in the pub rather than walk for 14 hours straight - so this will be a real challenge.

Managing my endo symptoms will be part of the challenge. Painful periods can disrupt training and routines, but my symptoms don’t only appear once a month. Flare ups can hit without warning, bringing pain, fatigue, and days where even gentle movement feels difficult. That unpredictability makes it hard to stick to a strict training plan, so increasing my mileage in the lead up to the big day may be tough (James has no excuse though…).

We’re raising money for Endometriosis UK because their support genuinely helps. I’ve used their helpline and attended their information sessions, and I know how much they do for people living with this disease.

Thank you for sponsoring us in a cause so close to our hearts — and, in my case, annoyingly close to every other organ in my body.