Dana & Lynda's Edinburgh Marathon fundraiser for Crohn’s & Colitis UK
Dana Genocchio is raising money for Crohn’s & Colitis UK
Story
Running whether it be for fun or as part of an event no matter the distance is an achievement for anyone. Running for charity makes it mean so much more.
Me:-
I enjoyed running up until I had my two children. After that it was hard finding the time but mainly the motivation. Didn't help that I had started enjoying walk to the snack cupboard more than pushing myself to get back into fitness. Now 5 and 3.5 I am getting back into the swing of things. Even the kids are helping with getting my fitness back, with weekly walks. They have worked up to doing 6 mile loops.
Lynda became a friend after meeting at a local village ladies day, she had mentioned she was training for a 1/2 marathon, so without actually participating I thought and asked if I could join her on some of her training runs. My thought being - "why not get back into running, help someone achieve their goal and along the way make a friend." Quick the enjoyment of running was coming back.
In honesty most of my running with people consists of me talking 90% of the time. Those who know me won't be so surprised.
One day during a playdate with mine and Lynda's children, Lynda mentioned the crazy idea now that she had done her 1/2 marathon - in a great time of 2hrs 20min, she was ready or at least willing to go for a marathon distance. Having got my mojo back I decided to ask if it was ok for me to join her in the training and participating of the Edinburgh Marathon.
Before Christmas we signed up and were jointly signing up to fundraise for Crohn’s and Colitis UK.
Running in memory of a friend:-
Ian Dryden, a work colleague and friend. A man who made me laugh daily when we did our walks at lunchtime. We worked together for a short time but even when we didn't we met up and he would say he wasn't a man of wisdom, but a man of good story telling and listening ear. Thanks to his family they have shared his story:-
Ian was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis age 20. Flare ups caused periods of illness but he still lived life to the full and loved adventure. He continued to have regular check ups by way of colonoscopy. He had a diseased part of his large bowel removed when he was 56, sadly biopsy results confirmed it was be cancerous. He made a great recovery but the cancer returned 5 years later. At this point he had his large bowel completely removed and he underwent chemotherapy.
He embraced his stoma and said it saved his life. He called it his “bag for life”. He declared with a smile that he no longer had ulcerative colitis due to not having a colon! He was back to hillwalking, golf & dancing at family celebrations in no time!
Five years later he went on to develop problems with his kidneys due to scar tissue from his surgeries. After numerous hospital admissions he suddenly became very unwell due to sepsis and a rare infection in his small bowel, clostridium enteritis. He died 2 days before his 66th birthday in January 2023 with his family by his side. He was a great man and one of faith and stayed strong, positive and loving, right to the end
I am sure every step of the way he will be watching over me.
Training and plan
I will try to update weekly on progress. Myself and Lynda have been still running even on the colder and sometimes winter days. We are increasing our distance slowly and we are still enjoying the training. Not sure how much Lynda enjoys my constant chat but so far I haven't run out of things to talk about.
Our collective goal is to complete the marathon, be it unharmed and still be smiling at the end. We are looking to raise £1000 between us.
We wholeheartedly acknowledge it is hard to consider to help out charities when personal circumstances can make already tough times, tougher. Your support, be it sharing this post, encouraging shout outs and even sharing of any personal dealings with Crohn’s and Colitis is greatly appreciated.
If you are able to donate to myself or Lynda's (link below). We will ensure we think of you all throughout our training and event day.
Lastly anyone else who is running the event for charity, this one or another - Good luck and we will see you at the finish line.
