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Our CEO, Emma McNally, takes on the London Marathon to raise awareness of TS
Posted on 8 March 2023 by Pippa McClounan
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Read how Emma was inspired to go from couch to marathon in just 5 months!
Emma will join over 40,000 runners on April 23rd 2023 to take on the huge challenge of the London Marathon.
Emma is by no means a seasoned runner, previously running 5k here and there, meaning the marathon is a huge task for her, going from couch to marathon is not easy and will require great effort and determination from Emma. She has been training hard for the event since October when she luckily got a ballot place and is currently up to 26k in her training plan. Everyone at Tourettes Action is behind Emma as she takes on this task and will be cheering her along from the Tourettes Action cheer station at mile 9.
Emma has a son with TS, therefore has seen first-hand the effects that the condition has on the individual and the family, so is extremely passionate about bringing change and improvements for those with the condition. One such improvement that she is working hard to address, is the lack of medical care that exists for those with TS up and down the country and lack of NICE guidance.
Emma recently worked with researchers at the University of Nottingham on an animation video which highlighted the impact no health care has on those with the condition. Click on the image below to watch the video.
Emma, explains here why she is taking part:
Last year in October I watched the London Marathon and saw people from the TS community taking part. The whole thing brought out huge emotions in me – seeing people push themselves to the limit whilst raising funds for our charity and hearing why they were doing it was truly wonderful. They inspired me to apply for a ballot place. In all honesty I really didn’t think it through and must admit I didn’t read the small print! “I’ve got a year to go from couch to 42k, yes that’s achievable,” I thought, “Anyway, I probably won’t get a place”, so what could go wrong!
We were away on a family weekend in Wales when I checked my emails and I had an email from the London Marathon, I opened the email and next minute saw the words YOU’RE IN! SEE YOU ON THE 23RD APRIL. I honestly didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Firstly, I had got a marathon place and couldn’t currently run round the block, and secondly it was in April and not October! How on earth was I going to go from couch to marathon in 5 months! I felt sick at the thought of it.
The more I thought about it, the more I thought it was an absolutely crazy idea but at the same time also a truly wonderful idea. How amazing would it be if I could run the London Marathon and at the same time support my passion - bringing awareness to Tourette Syndrome, whilst also raising money for the most wonderful charity.
People who know me know that once I put my mind to something I give it my all, so that was it, I had a London Marathon place and I WOULD DO IT! My husband asked if I had really thought it through, did I know how far it actually was and did I have life insurance! No, No and Yes ????
So, at the end of October I started training. I started with the couch to 5k and have been gradually building up week by week. The training hasn’t been without its ups and downs as I had to have a little op in January, meaning I had to take 2 weeks off training. I must admit this filled me with panic, thinking I would never get back on track but I am now back on track and currently up to 26k, jogging with little walks thrown in every now and again. In all honesty, I have amazed myself! Each week I say “This is the furthest I have ever run,” as each week is a new milestone.
A few years ago, I was a member of a social running group called Running with Brian, running 5k every Monday evening, but when my dad passed away a few years ago, I lost my mojo and stopped going. This however gave me the excuse to go back and I have loved it. Brian and the whole group have been so supportive, offering guidance and advice along the way. Paul and Mark who attend the running group have been amazing and have accompanied me on my long runs each Saturday to keep me going. Paul plans the route each week and I literally just turn up and run! This removes all the stress for me and enables me to just concentrate on building the distnace. Our last run was 26k, so it is still a huge way off the 42k marathon distance but it is indeed further than I have ever run before and further than I ever thought I would or could run. It is safe to say that I 100% would not be able to do this without the support of the group and I am extremely grateful to all of them.
Paul and Mark also approached their employer, G J Distillers Quintessential Brands, and asked if they would be willing to support my fundraising campaign. They agreed and have kindly donated goods which has enabled me to run raffles and raise extra funds for the campaign.
Having a son with Tourette’s, I know exactly how it feels to be subject to the stigma that sadly still surrounds TS. I know how it feels wanting to help your child when they are in pain but feeling helpless, I know how hard it is to get medical treatment for Tourette’s and none being available where you live, and I know how it feels to have to push for school adjustments when school don’t see the impact that TS has on your child. I have been through many of the struggles that many of our families are now going through on a daily basis, so I can fully empathise with them. I want to help them, I want to help improve things for the whole TS community. I want to improve the health services, I want to remove the stigma and bring about awareness of the condition and make life just that little bit easier to deal with. I know doing the marathon won’t bring about these changes, but I am hoping that I might be able to raise awareness of TS and all that it entails, whilst also raising funds for the charity, which will enable us to continue to support people with TS and their families.
Working at Tourettes Action and seeing the impact we have on people with TS and their families, is truly heart-warming. There is no better feeling. I honesty couldn’t think of a better charity to support, of course I may be a little biased, but the work we do at the charity has such a lasting impact, we are the light at the end of the tunnel for many. All money raised will go to the charity and will be used for great things.
So far, I have raised £2085 which is amazing. I am absolutely blown away by peoples generosity and kindness, not only with the donations but also their support.
If you would like to support me, no matter how big or small, you can do so here
BRING IT ON!!! She says, feeling sick at the sheer thought of it!
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