Reading Chronicle
An ME sufferer will be among the thousands pounding the streets of London on Sunday, representing Reading in the London Marathon. Karen Roach was diagnosed with ME in January last year and speaking in the last few days before the big race admitted the nerves were kicking in.
The 41-year-old, who is a member of Reading Area ME Group said: “I’m definitely starting to worry a bit about it now, but I’ve done a 10K run for cancer, and two half marathons so I hope it will be okay.”
Karen has been training five days-a-week in preparation for the marathon, as well as reading articles from running magazines. She said: “I’ve gathered a lot of tips on pacing myself as well as listening to my body, watching my diet and incorporating rest. You have to be disciplined and persevere, but hopefully I should be fine.”
Karen is an account executive with Pricewaterhouse Coopers in London, and said that while ME has forced her to reassess her life, she is able to keep on top of it through her lifestyle.
She said: “I’m not cured, but I can manage my illness. The experience of chronic fatigue has taught me to slow down and take stock. It has made me into a stronger person and my faith has also played a central role in my progress and motivation to run the marathon because I believe God still heals today.
“Sometimes when you get up in the morning you really don’t feel like running, but after a few miles your body remembers what it’s supposed to be doing.”
Karen is hoping to raise £1,500 for the charity Action for ME, and Reading Area ME Support Group spokeswoman described her as “an inspiration”.
She said: “Karen proves that having ME does not mean the end of your world, but a change, and that one can build a new life from it.”
For more on Karen’s fundraising efforts visit www.justgiving.com/karenroachlfm09.
ME FACTBOX
ME stands for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
Symptoms of the neurological disease include muscle pain and intense physical or mental exhaustion
In some patients it starts after an infection, but there can also be environmental and traumatic triggers
ME/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome affects around 150,000 people in the UK, 25% are severely disabled with some house/bed-bound. The cause is still unknown and no cure or effective treatment has yet been found
For more information visit www.meassociation.org.uk
Tuesday, 12 May 2009
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