Some of you may have heard that I actually managed to bring back not just one but THREE medals from the World Transplant Games.
I was very relieved and very proud to get my first medal, a bronze in the 3km - a big 'phew' as I so wanted to do well as a big thank you for all the support the club has given me. This was followed by a silver in the 1500m & bronze in the 400m. I was up against some tough opposition e.g the best time in the 3km for the women was 14 mins and it was actually a 2.3 miles run around a hilly country park.
I had a great time in Sweden and met some amazing fellow transplantees. The most important thing is that we were able to help raise awareness about the desparate need for organ donation and just how fit and well people can become after facing death's door and receiving a life saving transplant. Registration tends to go up by 30% after these kind of events.
I have also managed to get EVRC on local radio and in the papers as well - so bonus!
I feel very honoured to have been accepted by all you 'proper' runners. I was always that 'slow' kid struggling to 'keep up' but didn't know I had a heart condition. I then spent 17 years being very ill when my condition really showed itself. It means so much to me now that I can just about manage to keep up on a wednesday night!