From LEJOG to LePause
On 5th September 2022, full of excitement for what lay ahead, I began my run from Land’s End to John O’Groats to show others that despite life throwing curveballs our way we can still achieve. I intended to cover a distance of 40-50 miles a day for 20 days, a total of approximately 855 miles, aiming to become the world’s fastest female, with single-sided deafness, to complete this journey by foot. However, after 4 days of running in continual torrential rain, things went very wrong on day 5.
Unfortunately, I was forced to withdraw after 169 miles, with acute tendonitis, shin splints, bone oedema and a suspected stress fracture. Having discussed this with my coach and physio, it seems that my balance issues most likely played a part in this; to reduce my ‘swerve’ I had been over compensating with my right leg, which in turn has put immense pressure through my left leg, which clearly protested!
UPDATE! Not one to be defeated, LEJOG part 2 will begin on Sunday 26th March 2023!!
I will be following the original route, but extending the journey by one day, to allow for shorter days towards the end.
Below is part one of my mini documentary, How We Rise, documenting the ups and downs of a world record attempt after brain surgery!
However, I really do need your support; I have not been able to secure any financial backing for this, and so I am raiding my savings in order to complete the challenge. Once again, I need a little help with hiring a support vehicle – somewhere I can take a break during the day, and sleep overnight as well as covering some of the other expenses (campsite fees, fuel etc.). Please click here to find out how you can help.
In the meantime, you can continue to follow my journey back to running on social media by following the links below.
When I can return to the challenge, I hope to continue raising funds for the British Acoustic Neuroma Association and Manchester Skull Base Foundation (FBT). Both of these organisations have been a great source of support and this is my way of giving back to them in some way. I also hope to raise funds for Brain Tumour Research. This charity. Their vision is to find a cure for all types of brain tumours. Imagine just how amazing that would be!
Brain tumours kill more adults and children under the age of 40 than any other cancer, yet historically just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this disease. Brain Tumour Research is determined to change this.
To make a donation to BANA, click here
To make a donation to Manchester Skull Base Foundation, click here.
To make a donation to Brain Tumour Research, click here.
You can follow my journey on social media, where I discuss training, nutrition, my rehab journey and the ups and downs of life with a dodgy head. Links are below.
Thank you so much for your continued support and taking the time to read about this challenge! I look forward to posting more updates soon.
Sara