It's with great sadness that I must announce that I have had to cancel the 100 miles for the NRAS challenge.
This is not something that I have done lightly. I had made it to the half way point and over the next three months was going to be taking part in the Great North Run, Royal Parks Half Marathon, Great South Run, Reading 10k, Grand Union Canal Half Marathon and a 5k to get to the 100 miles.
On the 27th July 2012, my wife suffered a placenta abruption and we had a little boy called Isaac. He was born with no heartbeat, after 18 minutes of resuscitation, the doctors decided to call it a day. In one final check, Isaac's heart started to beat, however, he had suffered catastrophic brain damage and passed away in his mothers arms on the 1st August 2012 in St Thomas's hospital neonatal intensive care unit.
We take great pride and honour that Isaac fought so hard for those 6 days to spend time with us against all of the odds, and we also are so very grateful for all of the medical staff that were absolutely superb at St Thomas's.
Obviously we are heartbroken, and at times like this as a family unit my wife and I need to focus on Isaac and what has happened. For that reason I dont feel I can complete the necessary training or be in the correct state of mind to complete the challenge.
For those that have already sponsored me, thank you, your money will really help the NRAS, Im just sorry that circurmstances have meant that I will not be able to complete the challenge.
Thank you for all of your support
Darren x
Wednesday 15 August 2012
Friday 4 May 2012
Sports Relief 6 miles - 25th March 2012
Well, Im sure you've seen the previous post about Sports Relief after the brilliant tv show, with such very sad stories, and the incredibly inspirational charity events done by people like John Bishop, David Walliams, Frank Skinner.
So on the 25th March, it was my turn to take part and try and raise money for Sports Relief and at the same time the NRAS as I finished the next 6 miles of the 100 mile challenge. I have to say it was an incredible day and an incredible setting.
The setting was the Mall, we were running down to Buckingham Palace and then round the fountain and back up towards Horse Guards Parade. As I arrived with the family, Anton De Bec was just giving Anne Widdicombe a piggy back racing against another pair from Strictly Come Dancing.
I was supposed to be running today with two others - my brother - who unfortunatley was unable to run due to being on crutches (unfortunately it also looks like his injury is ruling him out of the first half marathon of the year - the Tewkesbury Half), and Abbey Stead who was taking part in her first event and running a mile.
The key aim for me was just to make sure I ran the whole thing - didnt want to walk at all. The course was flat and 6 mile long laps was all that had to be done and although the legs were really feeling it, especially as it was the longest I had run in 2012, it was all doing very well, until.....................
..............I turned the corner to start the final lap. Minutes earlier running up the Mall I had seen running in the opposite direction a certain boyband with bouncers all round them - yep thats right - JLS were on the route.
Unfortunately as I turned the bend to start the final lap a new set of runners had just started off and were feeding into the route and at the same time on the other side of the track JLS and the ridiculous girl mania that follows them everywhere were just finishing their mile (Given how fit they are you would have thought they would have given 3 or 6 miles ago - obviously they've got no stamina!!!!). It appears that this meant everyone had to get as close to JLS as possible and no matter what people were doing, the girl fans would do anything to get to JLS. This made the start of the last lap very tricky, playing dodgems, avoiding being tripped up and knocked over by crazy screaming girls - and they werent even screaming for me!
Eventually the 6 miles were completed. Abbey had completed her mile and I had finished in a time of 1 hr 13 which I was really pleased with, especially given I had managed to run the whole thing!
Here's the tracking for the day : http://www.adidas.com/com/micoach/WorkoutDetails.aspx?WID=f0fdf373-707b-4a74-a924-a49f79583dc7 and I thought you may like to see a couple of pics too - which are below.
One final thing - got notified by friends on twitter on the way home that I had made it on to the BBC news - eventually managed to get to see the footage - and there I was plodding through the shot :) Atleast it got the NRAS a bit more publicity as well.
The Mall
Abbey and Me after the run
So on the 25th March, it was my turn to take part and try and raise money for Sports Relief and at the same time the NRAS as I finished the next 6 miles of the 100 mile challenge. I have to say it was an incredible day and an incredible setting.
The setting was the Mall, we were running down to Buckingham Palace and then round the fountain and back up towards Horse Guards Parade. As I arrived with the family, Anton De Bec was just giving Anne Widdicombe a piggy back racing against another pair from Strictly Come Dancing.
I was supposed to be running today with two others - my brother - who unfortunatley was unable to run due to being on crutches (unfortunately it also looks like his injury is ruling him out of the first half marathon of the year - the Tewkesbury Half), and Abbey Stead who was taking part in her first event and running a mile.
The key aim for me was just to make sure I ran the whole thing - didnt want to walk at all. The course was flat and 6 mile long laps was all that had to be done and although the legs were really feeling it, especially as it was the longest I had run in 2012, it was all doing very well, until.....................
..............I turned the corner to start the final lap. Minutes earlier running up the Mall I had seen running in the opposite direction a certain boyband with bouncers all round them - yep thats right - JLS were on the route.
Unfortunately as I turned the bend to start the final lap a new set of runners had just started off and were feeding into the route and at the same time on the other side of the track JLS and the ridiculous girl mania that follows them everywhere were just finishing their mile (Given how fit they are you would have thought they would have given 3 or 6 miles ago - obviously they've got no stamina!!!!). It appears that this meant everyone had to get as close to JLS as possible and no matter what people were doing, the girl fans would do anything to get to JLS. This made the start of the last lap very tricky, playing dodgems, avoiding being tripped up and knocked over by crazy screaming girls - and they werent even screaming for me!
Eventually the 6 miles were completed. Abbey had completed her mile and I had finished in a time of 1 hr 13 which I was really pleased with, especially given I had managed to run the whole thing!
Here's the tracking for the day : http://www.adidas.com/com/micoach/WorkoutDetails.aspx?WID=f0fdf373-707b-4a74-a924-a49f79583dc7 and I thought you may like to see a couple of pics too - which are below.
One final thing - got notified by friends on twitter on the way home that I had made it on to the BBC news - eventually managed to get to see the footage - and there I was plodding through the shot :) Atleast it got the NRAS a bit more publicity as well.
Crystal Palace 10k - 4th March 2012
So, event 1 of the 100 miles for the NRAS was the Crystal Palace 10k. Unfortunately the build up to the event was not good, with me being ill for a couple of weeks before hand. Having not been able to do the level of training I knew I needed to do, and with the Sports Relief 6 mile and the Olympic Park 5 mile runs in the next couple of weeks, I knew I had to be sensible and not do anything to risk any sort of injury.
The event was great - not an easy course by any means, but a really well organised event by Wrap Up and Run for Age UK. It was a cold wet day, and after a warm up from a tv style Mr Motivator (I can never do these - if I do - Im too tired to run - thats part of the problem of not really being very fit and being quite overweight!), we were then given a motivational speach by the ex tv celeb who played Tony Stamp from the Bill.
The course was two 5k laps starting in the Crystal Palace athletics track and after running past the track on the first lap, the final 300 metres was back round the track to the finish line. It had some lovely flat section, but these were punctuated with some very short sharp steep hills, which I decided I would walk given the lack of training. As a result it was a very slow time, with some very fast runners! I was overtaken at about the 3k mark by the leader (at the 8k mark!!!) I tried to trip him up but failed miserably.
Eventually managed to finish the race with a time of 1 hr 23 finishing (NOT LAST) in 636th place. No medal for this event, but quite a nice t-shirt which came in very handy on my holidays a few weeks later.
If you want a bit of a laugh, this is the link to the pictures on the day : http://sportcam.net/CompetitorImage.aspx?ID=507&General=No If this doesnt work, then the sportcam website is where you will find them and I was number 507.
Finally heres the ups and downs of the day - and that was it 6.2 miles completed 93.8 to go!!!
http://www.adidas.com/us/micoach/WorkoutDetails.aspx?WID=169b6c67-ee71-4a4c-88ca-b7cb24df5d1c
The event was great - not an easy course by any means, but a really well organised event by Wrap Up and Run for Age UK. It was a cold wet day, and after a warm up from a tv style Mr Motivator (I can never do these - if I do - Im too tired to run - thats part of the problem of not really being very fit and being quite overweight!), we were then given a motivational speach by the ex tv celeb who played Tony Stamp from the Bill.
The course was two 5k laps starting in the Crystal Palace athletics track and after running past the track on the first lap, the final 300 metres was back round the track to the finish line. It had some lovely flat section, but these were punctuated with some very short sharp steep hills, which I decided I would walk given the lack of training. As a result it was a very slow time, with some very fast runners! I was overtaken at about the 3k mark by the leader (at the 8k mark!!!) I tried to trip him up but failed miserably.
Eventually managed to finish the race with a time of 1 hr 23 finishing (NOT LAST) in 636th place. No medal for this event, but quite a nice t-shirt which came in very handy on my holidays a few weeks later.
If you want a bit of a laugh, this is the link to the pictures on the day : http://sportcam.net/CompetitorImage.aspx?ID=507&General=No If this doesnt work, then the sportcam website is where you will find them and I was number 507.
Finally heres the ups and downs of the day - and that was it 6.2 miles completed 93.8 to go!!!
http://www.adidas.com/us/micoach/WorkoutDetails.aspx?WID=169b6c67-ee71-4a4c-88ca-b7cb24df5d1c
It's time to catch up!
Well, firstly all I can do is apologise for the silence on here. It's been a while and it's time to catch up!
So much to tell you all about, as I'm now 17.2 miles through the challenge, with another 13.1 tmiles taking place in just a couple of weeks time!
So, the next few blogs are a bit of a catch up, to let you know what I've been up to, the good, the bad, the injuries, and to try and drum up a bit of publicity for a few other challenges that are going on as well
So much to tell you all about, as I'm now 17.2 miles through the challenge, with another 13.1 tmiles taking place in just a couple of weeks time!
So, the next few blogs are a bit of a catch up, to let you know what I've been up to, the good, the bad, the injuries, and to try and drum up a bit of publicity for a few other challenges that are going on as well
Saturday 24 March 2012
Sports Relief
Well last night saw an amazing effort on tv with some very inspirational stories and over £50m raised for the charity Sports Relief. As well as some incredibly sad stories, and lots of tears, there were a number of celebrities that really did go the extra mile.
The achievements by John Bishop, David Walliams and Helen Skelton were to say the least awe inspiring, and watching the documentaries of what they managed to do made me realise that as long as you put your mind to it, anything is achievable.
The most inspirational person of the night however had to be Frank Skinner. Something so simple as swimming a length of a pool, for someone that couldnt swim and had a fear of water. The whole show was incredible, some extremely sad stories and an amazing charity that do so so much for so many people.
Sunday, tomorrow, I take part in miles 6.2 to 12.2 of my personal challenge of 100 miles for the NRAS in 2012 by taking part in the Sports Relief mile - 6 miles. Its not been an easy couple of weeks with some significant issues with my calf's that has really got me very worried. A lot of soreness and stiffness and real worry that Im going to get a serious injury. After a lot of thought, Ive gone back and redone the gait analysis and it appears my running style has changed slightly, so new trainers and hopefully all will go to plan tomorrow. Im expecting a very flat route, so would love to get round the course in about 1 hour 10.
My brother was also down to do the event with me, but unfortunately a fall has resulted in a fractured ankle. Thoughts are with him, and hopefully he will have recovered in time to take part in the Tewkesbury Half Marathon in May with me as his first event of the year for the NRAS. (He's also going to be doing the Royal Parks Half with me later in the year).
I will be accompanied by Abbey on the day. She is going to have a first go at running and will be amongst the thousands that are going to be running the Sports Relief mile.
Id always planned to use this as part of the NRAS 100 miles, however, after watching yesterday, I feel I have to try and raise some money for Sports Relief. £5 can make such a difference to this charity, and innoculate a child from illnesses that can kill, so............I know I have the NRAS charity page set up, but if any of you would like to sponsor me for the Sports Relief charity as well I would very much appreciate it:
http://my.sportrelief.com/sponsor/nras100miles
Thanks for any support that you can give me. Even spreading the word helps out so much so if you can I would really appreciate it.
The achievements by John Bishop, David Walliams and Helen Skelton were to say the least awe inspiring, and watching the documentaries of what they managed to do made me realise that as long as you put your mind to it, anything is achievable.
The most inspirational person of the night however had to be Frank Skinner. Something so simple as swimming a length of a pool, for someone that couldnt swim and had a fear of water. The whole show was incredible, some extremely sad stories and an amazing charity that do so so much for so many people.
Sunday, tomorrow, I take part in miles 6.2 to 12.2 of my personal challenge of 100 miles for the NRAS in 2012 by taking part in the Sports Relief mile - 6 miles. Its not been an easy couple of weeks with some significant issues with my calf's that has really got me very worried. A lot of soreness and stiffness and real worry that Im going to get a serious injury. After a lot of thought, Ive gone back and redone the gait analysis and it appears my running style has changed slightly, so new trainers and hopefully all will go to plan tomorrow. Im expecting a very flat route, so would love to get round the course in about 1 hour 10.
My brother was also down to do the event with me, but unfortunately a fall has resulted in a fractured ankle. Thoughts are with him, and hopefully he will have recovered in time to take part in the Tewkesbury Half Marathon in May with me as his first event of the year for the NRAS. (He's also going to be doing the Royal Parks Half with me later in the year).
I will be accompanied by Abbey on the day. She is going to have a first go at running and will be amongst the thousands that are going to be running the Sports Relief mile.
Id always planned to use this as part of the NRAS 100 miles, however, after watching yesterday, I feel I have to try and raise some money for Sports Relief. £5 can make such a difference to this charity, and innoculate a child from illnesses that can kill, so............I know I have the NRAS charity page set up, but if any of you would like to sponsor me for the Sports Relief charity as well I would very much appreciate it:
http://my.sportrelief.com/sponsor/nras100miles
Thanks for any support that you can give me. Even spreading the word helps out so much so if you can I would really appreciate it.
Sunday 11 March 2012
Its been a while!
Well, as you may have gathered, its been a while! But with good reason......
Unfortunately at the end of January as the training continued, 5 minutes into a training run, over my music I suddenly heard a pop, and with a lot of pain realised the pop was from my calf! What happened next was unfortunately nearly a month of recovery time to be able to start running again, so everything went a bit pear-shaped!
At the same time, we had lots of fun and games in the personal life as well, with numerous visits to doctors and A&E with Simone, who unfortunately has been suffering superficial thrombosis!
But, after a month off, Ive slowly started running again, not many runs yet, and its going to take some time, but desperately need to get back into it.
Just to throw myself back into it, on the 5th March, after just two training runs back, I had the first of the planned events for the 100 mile challenge. Initially I decided that I hadnt done enough training so was going to give it a miss, however, as it was only a 10k, I decided that I should be able to get around the course with walking as necessary.
So, on the 5th I turned up at Crystal Palace athletics track and took part in a two lap 10k, involving numerous very steep, but very short hills which were absolutely knackering. The event was really well run, with about 500 people taking part, and I eventually crossed the line in 1 hour 23. A pretty awful time, but given the injury I was more than happy with that, and now its time to get back in to the training properly, the next event is two weeks today with the Sports Relief mile, which I will be doing 6 miles at.
There is still plenty of chance for anyone that would like to take part in it as well, and you can look at running/walking/hoping/skiping, 1 mile, 3 miles or 6 miles!! So why not join in???
Will be keeping the blog going again now, so expect lots of updates with details of the weekly training, and hopefully a few friends may pop on to write a blog about their experiences with RA as well!
Unfortunately at the end of January as the training continued, 5 minutes into a training run, over my music I suddenly heard a pop, and with a lot of pain realised the pop was from my calf! What happened next was unfortunately nearly a month of recovery time to be able to start running again, so everything went a bit pear-shaped!
At the same time, we had lots of fun and games in the personal life as well, with numerous visits to doctors and A&E with Simone, who unfortunately has been suffering superficial thrombosis!
But, after a month off, Ive slowly started running again, not many runs yet, and its going to take some time, but desperately need to get back into it.
Just to throw myself back into it, on the 5th March, after just two training runs back, I had the first of the planned events for the 100 mile challenge. Initially I decided that I hadnt done enough training so was going to give it a miss, however, as it was only a 10k, I decided that I should be able to get around the course with walking as necessary.
So, on the 5th I turned up at Crystal Palace athletics track and took part in a two lap 10k, involving numerous very steep, but very short hills which were absolutely knackering. The event was really well run, with about 500 people taking part, and I eventually crossed the line in 1 hour 23. A pretty awful time, but given the injury I was more than happy with that, and now its time to get back in to the training properly, the next event is two weeks today with the Sports Relief mile, which I will be doing 6 miles at.
There is still plenty of chance for anyone that would like to take part in it as well, and you can look at running/walking/hoping/skiping, 1 mile, 3 miles or 6 miles!! So why not join in???
Will be keeping the blog going again now, so expect lots of updates with details of the weekly training, and hopefully a few friends may pop on to write a blog about their experiences with RA as well!
Tuesday 24 January 2012
Charity Page Up and Running and an interesting newspaper article
So, this is it, its time to start getting serious! Just thought I'd let you all know that the charity page is now fully set up after a few technical glitches! So, if you would like to sponsor my challenge this year, have a look at this website : http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/NRAS100miles
I always planned with this years blog not only to talk about training, but to try and give a lot more information about the NRAS and what Rheumatoid Arthritis is really all about as I know from personal experience just how little people know about RA and how there is such misunderstanding about the illness. I'm hoping along with Simone, a few others that suffer or help those with RA may well at some point write a little bit for the blog to give their personal experiences (hint hint - you know who you are ;-) )
In todays Daily Mirror, they have a very informative article about RA and the affects it can have on the lives of those that are affected. So, hopefully, without breaching any copyright laws(!) I thought I'd copy it into the blog so that everyone can have a read. Well, I will leave you to have a read, and I will head off for a 30 minute run! The thought alone - I have a feeling it could be a tough one tonight.
Rheumatoid Arthritis leaves one in three feeling depressed and lonely
Exclusive by Lachlan Mackinnon 24/01/2012
I always planned with this years blog not only to talk about training, but to try and give a lot more information about the NRAS and what Rheumatoid Arthritis is really all about as I know from personal experience just how little people know about RA and how there is such misunderstanding about the illness. I'm hoping along with Simone, a few others that suffer or help those with RA may well at some point write a little bit for the blog to give their personal experiences (hint hint - you know who you are ;-) )
In todays Daily Mirror, they have a very informative article about RA and the affects it can have on the lives of those that are affected. So, hopefully, without breaching any copyright laws(!) I thought I'd copy it into the blog so that everyone can have a read. Well, I will leave you to have a read, and I will head off for a 30 minute run! The thought alone - I have a feeling it could be a tough one tonight.
Rheumatoid Arthritis leaves one in three feeling depressed and lonely
Exclusive by Lachlan Mackinnon 24/01/2012
SEVEN out of 10 people with rheumatoid arthritis avoid parties because they are in too much pain, research has shown.And two-thirds decline friends’ dinner invitations due to their condition, the poll on behalf of drugs firm Roche found.
One in three said the illness made them feel depressed and lonely.
Around 690,000 Brits suffer RA and half of affected adults stop working within a decade of diagnosis.
It is an incurable condition in which the body attacks itself - particularly the joints, meaning symptoms are much worse in winter.
Jo Lloyd Baker, 42, who lives near Salisbury, Wiltshire, knows first-hand how challenging RA can be at this time of year.
She was first diagnosed in May 2008 when her children Henry and Elouise were only one and three years old respectively.
The reality of the physical limitation of RA was brought home to her during a cold snap shortly after her diagnosis.
She said: “I was in the car with the kids and my daughter was excited by the prospect of snow and asked me to help her make a snowman.
“With silent tears rolling down my cheeks, I suddenly realised that she may have well have asked me to climb Everest.
“I couldn’t imagine a time when I would have the energy or agility to build a snowman.”
Research has not established a clear link between joint pain and weather but many people with RA find their symptoms get worse when it is damp.
Jo said: “My survival strategy for the winter involves lots of early planning, online shopping and building downtime into your schedule.
“The kids still need to be outside at this time of year and rather than mention that I am having a bad day I will just suggest we do some
arts and crafts or my husband, Ewan, will take the kids out to burn off some energy.”
arts and crafts or my husband, Ewan, will take the kids out to burn off some energy.”
Aside from the physical restrictions, RA can also take a significant emotional toll and Jo can identify with the survey’s findings of a link between RA and depression.
Jo said: “I gave up my high powered city job to have the children and my experience with RA has prompted me to start training as a counselor.
“An RA diagnosis is devastating and while I welcomed the relief from the physical symptoms, I was shocked with how little emotional support was available.”
Jo turned to the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society - using their “online forum almost every day for reassurance and support”.
NRSA boss Ailsa Bosworth added: “The survey brings into focus the many challenges that people with RA can face during the winter period and beyond.
“The joint damage in RA often begins early in the disease, so it is critical to treat as early as possible and maintain treatment to reduce symptoms and stop irreversible damage before it occurs.
“With the right management there is no reason for 2012 not to be a happy new year for people with RA.”
NRAS can be contacted via their helpline on 0800 298 7650 and via email to helpline@nras.co.uk
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