I took up running in 2018 and up until now have selfishly just run for myself and my own personal goals. However this year I want to do more. 

So, I am running the Great North Run for Crohn's and Colitis UK in order to raise awareness and funds for the charity.

Since 2013 I have been living with a condition called Ulcerative Colitis, with what I perceive to be relatively minor symptoms as I have learnt to normalise them.

At the start of May 2020, at the height of the pandemic, I suffered my worst flare up and pretty much spent a weekend sat on the toilet, going over 50 times day and night, which was exhausting and very painful. Once I had got through the weekend I managed to get in contact and receive assistance from my IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease) nurses and got my condition back under control through medication. I know I am lucky that I have only had one flare up of this size, but know it could happen again and there are people out there that have it much, much worse.

My condition is now well managed by taking daily medication. However, I live with the concern that a flare up may be just around the corner and not being able to find a toilet at short notice if I am out in public and suffer from an attack. When it comes to my running my biggest concern on a long run is not how long it will take me or how far I am going to run but will I make the distance without having the uncontrollable need to go to the toilet. I consciously plan my routes with this in mind. 

I am fairly lucky in that my condition is well managed, but others unfortunately not, currently there are around 500,000 people in the UK suffering with an IBD so I am keen to raise awareness of this condition.

During my 2020 flare up I discovered Crohn's and Colitis UK and realised just how many people also suffer with similar or worse conditions than me. But more importantly I discovered that people can and do live normal lives and do inspiring things and as such I want to do the same.

Crohn's & Colitis UK are the UK's leading charity for Crohn's and Colitis. Right now, an estimated 500,000 people in the UK are living with a lifelong disease that many people have never heard of. I am taking part in the 2022 Great North Run to support Crohn's & Colitis UK, and your donation can help Crohn's & Colitis UK's mission to improve diagnosis and treatment; to fund research and raise awareness.

Thank you for taking the time to read about my story, I know times are tough financially for everyone right now, but I would be very grateful for any donations big or small to help fight this disease!

UPDATE:

Thanks to everyone who has donated so far,  in happy to say I finished in a time of 1hr 46m 50s a 90 second PB 🥳