I've got a ballot place! Can't believe it! I'm in total shock! My dream come true.
I have been counting down to the day when I receive the Virgin reject jacket (if you donate your entry fee and don't get a place, you get a Virgin jacket). This is the 3rd year I have applied and a special ballot was held for those who have entered and not got a place. When Flora ran the Marathon, if you didn't get a place 4 years in a row you automatically got a place on the 5th year. Now with more people than ever entering the ballot and Virgin running it (don't know the politics), this is the final year that successive rejections mean anything. SO HOW LUCK AM I?
Not only that, but my "old" training pal has also got a ballot place, so we can support each other through training.
I am hopeful that I will get the support from the medics at King's - but realistically I may have a little battle I suppose, as we're getting my AIH into remission and I'm back into the B&B King's at the end of October to have my stent out (not to be replaced). But everything is looking good and I am incredibly hopeful that all should go well.
So do you know of anyone else who has got a place?
Watch this space for more updates on my training (oh dear, not more things to bore you with, you say!!)..
Running Number 1736 at the ready!!!
Thursday, 30 September 2010
Sunday, 29 August 2010
Bath 'n' Wales
Sunday 22 August 2010
Spending the day at the Transplant Games wasn't the end of my Sunday (22 August 2010) - oh no!
Having said goodbye to Dad and Sue, who had come down from Cheshire to Somerset, we jumped in the car and left Bath, for four days in Wales!
The last time we, as a family, holidayed in Wales, the kids were around 5 and 7, and we camped near Fishguard. A few years older, and having already camped this summer, we chose a beautiful five star Welsh Bed & Breakfast located in the countryside between St David's (UK's smallest city) and Fishguard, Pembrokshire.
The B&B is called Yr Hafan, Park Y West and is really beautiful. Set in 20 acres of rolling countryside, we could open the blinds in the morning and look out towards the sea. The owners, were really friendly, helpful but not intrusive, and together with Miss Summer, we had a fabulous four days.
Alex chasing Summer outside our rooms (left door Alex & Nicole, right door Stav & I)
Our room-modern and contemporary 
Alex & Nicole's twin room
Spending the day at the Transplant Games wasn't the end of my Sunday (22 August 2010) - oh no!
Having said goodbye to Dad and Sue, who had come down from Cheshire to Somerset, we jumped in the car and left Bath, for four days in Wales!
The last time we, as a family, holidayed in Wales, the kids were around 5 and 7, and we camped near Fishguard. A few years older, and having already camped this summer, we chose a beautiful five star Welsh Bed & Breakfast located in the countryside between St David's (UK's smallest city) and Fishguard, Pembrokshire.
The B&B is called Yr Hafan, Park Y West and is really beautiful. Set in 20 acres of rolling countryside, we could open the blinds in the morning and look out towards the sea. The owners, were really friendly, helpful but not intrusive, and together with Miss Summer, we had a fabulous four days.
Views from our room
Alex chasing Summer outside our rooms (left door Alex & Nicole, right door Stav & I)
Our room-modern and contemporary 
Alex & Nicole's twin room
British Transplant Games 2010 - Sunday
Early morning - no time for breakfast! Off to the University of Bath for a day of athletics - the British Transplant Games.
The weather forcast was rain and rain...but WOW....it was sunny!!
Earlier this year the Bath Chronicle published an article about me and the family, particularly the link between athletics officiating and being a transplantee. So today was my turn to show what I was made of, and be one of the timekeepers.
What makes this event - the Transplant Games - so very special, is the mixture of ages and abilities. There are some very competitive and competent athletes, and there are so many more fun loving, have a go, fabulous transplantees - from walking age to "150"!!
The two pictures above show a member of the King's Transplant Team (in the lead).
The children's hospital teams were simply, a delight. These gorgeous little children from Papworth, King's, Great Ormond Street, Guys, Bristol Royal, Plymouth, Edinburgh - and so many other wonderful life saving units - were just inspirational.
Pudsey Bear is always a part of the Games, and the little ones just swarmed round him/her!! On the Saturday I met a family from Kingston. I asked who had had the transplant because they all looked so well, and the little girl aged about 4 or 5 said she had. She had needed a kidney but would not have lived had she had to wait on the donor list. She was however very lucky. Both her parents were compatible - and her dad donated one of his kidney's to his daughter. How lovely is that?Have you ever been somewhere where all you have done is smile all day? Because that is exactly what I did. Just watching everyone trying so hard; marvelling at some of the speeds; and just loving the smiles on everyones faces.
There were only 3 timekeepers including me, but the atmosphere was very relaxed and fun. The longest track race was just 1500m but the morning was very intense with race after race of sprint heats and 800m.
There were even 20m sprints for the under 5s. The picture below is the crowd of people allowed on the track to encourage these little athletes. One little girl ran in a wheeled frame, others with feeder tubes in - can you imagine the cheers??
The day of athletics finished with relay finals of which the King's Team had only managed to qualify into - but they did brilliantly and won Silver.
Well done King's - all of you..
Tuesday, 24 August 2010
Next Stop Bath - British Transplant Games 2010 - Saturday
I'll come back to the Reunion soon - next stop Bath!!
Earlier this year, I was honoured to be featured in the Bath Chronicle. An article which linked transplantation with the sporting world; one of many similar articles published this year in the lead up to the British Transplant Games.
The city of Bath has hosted the Games a few times I am told, and I was invited to officiate as a timekeeper this year for the athletics.
What with Little N in Turkey Jul/Aug, and the Transplant Reunion, it has been akward this summer to fit in a family holiday - and of course, we can't forget our own waggy tailed Summer (our first dog and she is now only 13 months old). So it made sense to try and combine one of the events to a break away.
So on Friday my father and Sue headed south to (near) Bath to my Auntie and Uncle's home, and Little N and I headed to a hotel in Tormarton just north of the city and the other side of the M4 (ever tried booking a pet/family friendly accommodation at last minute in peak summer??!!)..
The Best Western Compass Inn, Tormarton
On Friday night we met up and dined in Chipping Sodbury, a very pretty town on the edge of the Cotswolds (lovely evening.
Saturday became my first ever visit to Bath. I can't believe I've never managed to visit before!? Little N & I hit the shops - of course, first stop Jack Wills and later met with Dad & Sue, and my Auntie (Denise).
The Donor Bus was in central Bath, and Little N wanted to sign up onto the Donor Register. Dad needed to update his card from the one he had help since the '80s to online registration (which everyone should do). Little N had wanted to sign up for years, but I wanted just as much, for her to make the move by herself. I left her to fill out the paperwork with Dad, whilst as a VIP (now that doesn't happen often!!) I signed a special book on the bus (and yes I do hold a donor card).
The Donor Bus pictured with supporters of the Donor Run
Stav, Alex and Summer arrived at Bath Spa Station early in the afternoon (easy journey from home via Reading), and we went our own way until the evening when we met up in Bath for the DONOR RUN.
Stav & I, Alex & Nicole, Dad, Sue & Denise all signed up to walk the 3k Fun Run together. Until Little N decided it was too easy and wanted to run the 5k with Stav. This event also incorporated the Transplant Games Mini Marathon (3 or 5k).
And of course, we couldn't miss someone else out...!!
Sue, Little N, Denise
Sue, Stav, Little N
The "race" had to be delayed by 15 mins due to the number of late entrants so an extended warm up took place (I think everyone there will agree with "extended" being the operative word..)..
Sssssttttrreeeetttccchhhhhhh....
Little N and Stav in group warm up. Dad (648) pictured behind (sunglasses, white hair!)...
Spotted taking sneaky photos....
Just as the race was starting, I spotted two familiar faces from home. Thank you Martin and Sheila for coming to say hello - and well done Martin for winning the siver medal in the Badminton. Fantastic!
Well, then the heavens just opened!! It rained and rained (hence no more photos) - but it was quite warm, so quite nice actually!
Thank you Stav, Little N, Alex, Summer, Dad, Sue and Denise for joining me (Denise is very good at getting people to sign up for the Donor register too..) and also to my cousin Sally, husband Brook and their 3 kiddies for coming along to support us too! It meant a lot.
Earlier this year, I was honoured to be featured in the Bath Chronicle. An article which linked transplantation with the sporting world; one of many similar articles published this year in the lead up to the British Transplant Games.
The city of Bath has hosted the Games a few times I am told, and I was invited to officiate as a timekeeper this year for the athletics.
What with Little N in Turkey Jul/Aug, and the Transplant Reunion, it has been akward this summer to fit in a family holiday - and of course, we can't forget our own waggy tailed Summer (our first dog and she is now only 13 months old). So it made sense to try and combine one of the events to a break away.
So on Friday my father and Sue headed south to (near) Bath to my Auntie and Uncle's home, and Little N and I headed to a hotel in Tormarton just north of the city and the other side of the M4 (ever tried booking a pet/family friendly accommodation at last minute in peak summer??!!)..
The Best Western Compass Inn, Tormarton
On Friday night we met up and dined in Chipping Sodbury, a very pretty town on the edge of the Cotswolds (lovely evening.
Saturday became my first ever visit to Bath. I can't believe I've never managed to visit before!? Little N & I hit the shops - of course, first stop Jack Wills and later met with Dad & Sue, and my Auntie (Denise).
The Donor Bus was in central Bath, and Little N wanted to sign up onto the Donor Register. Dad needed to update his card from the one he had help since the '80s to online registration (which everyone should do). Little N had wanted to sign up for years, but I wanted just as much, for her to make the move by herself. I left her to fill out the paperwork with Dad, whilst as a VIP (now that doesn't happen often!!) I signed a special book on the bus (and yes I do hold a donor card).
The Donor Bus pictured with supporters of the Donor Run
Stav, Alex and Summer arrived at Bath Spa Station early in the afternoon (easy journey from home via Reading), and we went our own way until the evening when we met up in Bath for the DONOR RUN.
Stav & I, Alex & Nicole, Dad, Sue & Denise all signed up to walk the 3k Fun Run together. Until Little N decided it was too easy and wanted to run the 5k with Stav. This event also incorporated the Transplant Games Mini Marathon (3 or 5k).
And of course, we couldn't miss someone else out...!!
Sue, Little N, Denise
Sue, Stav, Little N
The "race" had to be delayed by 15 mins due to the number of late entrants so an extended warm up took place (I think everyone there will agree with "extended" being the operative word..)..
Sssssttttrreeeetttccchhhhhhh....
Little N and Stav in group warm up. Dad (648) pictured behind (sunglasses, white hair!)...
Spotted taking sneaky photos....
Just as the race was starting, I spotted two familiar faces from home. Thank you Martin and Sheila for coming to say hello - and well done Martin for winning the siver medal in the Badminton. Fantastic!
Well, then the heavens just opened!! It rained and rained (hence no more photos) - but it was quite warm, so quite nice actually!
Thank you Stav, Little N, Alex, Summer, Dad, Sue and Denise for joining me (Denise is very good at getting people to sign up for the Donor register too..) and also to my cousin Sally, husband Brook and their 3 kiddies for coming along to support us too! It meant a lot.
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