I will never forget my first time running with a properly functioning heart. I was late to meet Joe (as usual) but didn't want to get the bus because I like being able to move and so I was speed walking down the road and thought, lets just give it a go. It had been a few weeks since open heart surgery and I was meant to still be a careful. So I tentatively transitioned into a gentle jog. A couple of minutes went passed and I was still going. And I wasn't out of breath, my breathing was steady, was effortless. There was no wave like feeling through my body of exhaustion. It was so surreal. It felt amazing. These bodily sensations that I was so used to in 30 years of playing sport, cycling, running for trains or whatever I was late for, even just walking upstairs to the toilet in our house tbh, were completely different. It is the most magical feeling that I can't do justice to, it was like being in a totally different body, an upgraded one. I was so excited I called joe (still running) to tell him “I’m running and speaking to you! At the same time!! I’m not even out of breath, I can just keep on going!”. After that I’d have loads of little runs, from the station to my mates house, from my house to big Tescos, the park to home. It was like having this new toy to play with or like a new super power or something that held so much promise and that I still now don’t know the edges of. I feel invincible when I run (even with severe hip cramp,as I had from mile 13 onwards of the marathon 😬)
It is only through sheer luck of where I was born, that I was able to get access to world class health care in an environment where I was safe, where my friends and family felt assured that I would be getting the best care possible, that I was able to recover. That’s why I wanted to run for
@doctorswithoutborders who work tirelessly to provide healthcare to countries all over the world even when it means putting themselves in danger. Good health is a gift, living a life of dignity and safety in a country that isn't being bombed while much of the world turns their back on you is a gift. Thank you to everyone who donated and everyone who's helping in whatever way they are able ❤️❤️❤️
