Justin’s Story
I knew what an ectopic pregnancy was before my wife had one, but I didn’t know anything about the dangers of having one, the recovery process, or what it would take from us as a family. My wife had one ectopic pregnancy, then gave birth to our daughter, then had two more ectopic pregnancies when we were trying to have a second child.
Each ectopic was slightly different from the last. Each time there was hope that it was a viable pregnancy, then the sudden realisation it wasn’t from clues like the pregnancy test lines being too faint, or the cramping. Each time she was hospitalised, the realisation that as a father, I could end up raising our child alone, feeling like you’re playing cards, and not knowing whether to stick with what you have or twist and end up widowed.
The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust was there for my wife in her darkest times, with support that she needed that I sometimes couldn’t give her, as I couldn’t understand the same way they could. They were informative and helpful, and they’re part of the reason my wife is six months pregnant with our second child. Without their support, we might have given up that dream.
The race itself was tough. It was physically the hardest event I’ve ever done because I’d injured myself two weeks before, giving myself a Grade 1 hamstring strain. I was ok to race, but I knew that I was likely going to have to retire at some point. I am very stubborn though, so I thought it would be at the run in the end, not in the second kilometre of a 100-kilometre race!
For context, I’d signed up to do the T100 Triathlon in London, which is a massive event and roads from East London to central London are cordoned off. There are professional triathletes with £10k bikes riding along with amateurs and fundraisers with dodgy hamstrings. The distances are:
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2km swim in the Thames
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80km cycle through London
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18km run at the end, along the river
The first kilometre in the water felt good and I felt confident that I could finish. The second kilometre however was a nightmare, and I felt a sharp pain and cramp twist my right hamstring. It felt like it had been grabbed roughly and twisted. I writhed a bit, but I was at the far end of the Thames and still had about 600m to swim. I gritted my teeth and carried on, using only my left leg and arms to swim, until that leg cramped! I swallowed water and thought that was it. I looked over to the lifeguards in canoes and thought about turning on my back and putting my hand up to be rescued but decided that if they were going to rescue me, they would have to save me rather than me just give up. I finished the swim somehow, jog-walked back, and did a load of stretches before setting out on the cycle.
The cycle was ok as I was travelling at a comfortable pace throughout and didn’t push (any time I tried my hamstring cramped), and the run was a success as well, as I adapted my style of running so I didn’t kick my legs backwards. I didn’t stop running either, which was apparently a good thing, as people who had injuries that day who stopped seized up and had to retire.
I completed the race in 6:15 which is a respectable time considering all the drama, and thought about The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust and all the donations I’d received, which helped me power through. We are currently on £1,859 with £431.17 Gift Aid which is incredible.
Thank you, The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust, for allowing me to raise funds for you, and for the T-shirt which was great and got a good showing round London!
Thank you so much, Justin, for sharing your story and taking on the T100 Triathlon. You’ve helped raise both funds and vital awareness, and inspired others along the way. You can see Justin’s fundraising page here.
If Justin has inspired you to take on a challenge of your own and support our work, we’d love to hear from you. Visit our fundraising page, or get in touch with our Fundraising and Campaigns Co-ordinator, Kerri, who’s always happy to help and guide you: kerri@ectopic.org.uk