Lisa's 10 x 10k in 10 weeks
– 27th July – Run Richmond Park Race – 58:38
– 3rd Aug – Run through Victoria Park – 56:07
-10th Aug – Run Battersea Park -54:55
-18th of Aug – Regents Park Summer 10k – 53.31
– 24th Aug – Uni of Limerick 10k – 56.21
– 31st of Aug – Run through Hyde Park – 55.56
– 8th of Sep – Wandsworth Park Run – 50.18
– 14th of Sep – Runfest Kew Gardens – 53.01
– 21st of Sep -Olympic Park 10k – 56.19
– 28th of Sep – Windsor Women’s 10k – 53.29
The first time I heard about an ectopic pregnancy was in 2001 when Sophie, Countess of Wessex had suffered this loss and it made the news. In my twenties then, I doubt I even googled it and passed it by. It wasn’t until in my thirties and trying for a baby myself that I googled everything about miscarriages and everything that could go wrong and lived in fear of that until those key 12 weeks had passed. It’s the scariest of times but I found the first 12 to be especially lonely as there is this taboo about daring to tell anyone until you have that first scan, especially with Irish families. I’ve learned over the years that this is probably the most important time to speak with someone close to you and know you are not alone.
I’m not sure exactly how I came to the idea of 10 x 10ks in 10 weeks but it just seemed to be the most manageable. I was actually worried that people would dismiss it, as it wasn’t as epic as a marathon or doing a triathlon. Then as I was booking in all of the races I realised how much of a commitment I was making and had hoped people would see that too. Every Saturday or sometimes a Sunday, no matter what the weather I was up and out the door well before 7.
Silly me thinking I would have decent weather in July, August and September. A lot of wet underwear because of the rain and a few calls of nature in the bushes did not defeat me, thankfully. I found the races tough at first but then as the money continued to rise I was just overwhelmed with it all and the races went by in a blur.
A common question throughout the fundraising weeks was why I set my target so low? For me the biggest achievement was education. When people asked about Ectopic Pregnancy, I got to tell them all the great work this small charity does and what an ectopic pregnancy actually is. Knowledge is key and I really do hope this isn’t the case but someone near and dear to them may suffer this trauma in their lifetime and hopefully they will remember that this charity exists and will be there to support them.
If you feel inspired by Lisa’s incredible challenge and fundraising, please take a look at ways to get involved or email our Fundraising Co-ordinator who is happy to help: jill@ectopic.org.uk.