Natalie & Sarah EDS-UK
Coast to Strength - 13 mile run, 5000 mile cycle around the GB Coastline
Fundraising for Ehlers-Danlos Support UK
Story
Sponsoring me on this page will raise money for Ehlers Danlos Support UK, who vitally support and help those with EDS. I volunteer for them as an area coordinator and see the important work they do everyday.
For more information about my challenge and for daily updates please visit - www.zebraonabike.co.uk
13 Mile Run (with Pippa Carter)
5000 Mile Cycle
3 Countries
91 Days
Self - supported
With Ehlers Danlos Syndrome
On the 24th February 2018 I will cycle from Wokingham to Brighton. The next day I will run the Brighton half marathon alongside my sister PIPPA CARTER. Pippa has experience of running a half marathon having done a grand total of one before (one more than me) and I must admit that running 13 miles scares me much more than cycling the entirety of the the GB coastline. The same day as the half marathon I will begin my journey cycling my recumbent trike around the coastline of Great Britain. I estimate this journey to be around 5000 miles and to take 91 days.
Due to my medical conditions I cycle a recumbent trike, this will be fully loaded with all of the equipment I will need for a self - supported trip. I will camp for the majority of the trip but will spend some nights with friends and family in hostels and hotels (where I will hopefully be able to have a warm shower and wash my clothes).
For someone with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and its many comorbidities this challenge is not only a physical one; I have gastroparesis and one of the main challenges will be consuming and digesting enough food to replace the calories I will burn every day. I will have to carry and receive packets of my daily medication along the way (as I can not possibly carry 91 days worth of medication). I will have to manage and deal with chronic fatigue, avoid allergens and keep a careful eye on my heart rate and blood pressure. I will have to manage my bladder and bowel conditions whilst on the road. I might suffer from dislocations the majority of which I can relocate myself. And of course endure and control the muscle and joint pain cause by back-to-back-to-back cycling. At all times I will need to know where the nearest hospital is, especially in the remote areas of Scotland.
This will be extremely difficult, challenging and painful, however many of us with Ehlers Danlos syndrome overcome challenges like these every day!
I will update you every day with a very honest account of my journey.
I want to raise awareness of Ehlers Danlos syndrome and the difficulties we face on a daily basis. I also want to raise awareness of my personal very difficult journey with EDS and how I have improved my quality of life by building my muscle strength to achieve what I thought would be impossible.
I want to raise money for a charity I do a lot of work for - Ehlers Danlos Support UK, who vitally support and help those with EDS.
www.zebraonabike.co.uk
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