How Time Flies When Your Having Fun.....!

Well, I don't know about having fun but surprisingly enough, despite the pain I have been in at times, I am quite enjoying this running training I am currently doing. For those of you who may not be aware I am currently training to run the Brighton Marathon on the 9th April 2017 - less than 4 weeks to go!! I am fund raising for the Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance Trust.

​This is a trust very close to my heart as without their fantastic service just over 7 years ago I wouldn't be here today! They saved my life following a horrendous car crash. After stabilising me, I was air lifted to The Royal London Hospital where it was touch and go for the first few days, but being the determined individual I am and with thanks to a few lucky stars I am here to tell the tale, not that I can tell much of it as luckily I don't remember exactly what happened.

​Following the accident things were very tough indeed, it took me quite a while to come to terms with the person I had become, the broken bones would heal over time but dependant on severity, it isn't as easy to recover when you have suffered severe head trauma. Once I'd accepted this was me and I'd been given a bit of a second chance as it were I decided I wanted to raise funds towards this life saving charity. Last year I did a 5KM colour run and raised over £500! I was happy with this but thought I could do better for them.....

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The KSS Air Ambulance Trust offered me a charity space to take part in the Brighton Marathon, after much consideration I decided to give it a go as I have always wanted to run a marathon. I used to do a lot of running when I was younger but following my accident it is something that I have done very little off purely due to the pain I have been and at times, am still in following the multiple broken bones sustained in the car crash. Thinking positive though, my training has been going well and I am starting to believe that I could actually cross that finish line in Brighton after the full 26.2 miles! I have my last 'long run' before race day this weekend and I'm aiming to do a 20 mile run and then will keep myself ticking over with shorter runs the last few weeks leading up to race day!

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For those of you reading this and are willing to sponsor me to help me reach my fund raising goal of £1,000.00 please click on the following link to donate to this life saving charity:

​​https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/SarahJaneGadd

​Most of us know of someone who has been helped by this amazing charity​ and as they are not part of the NHS and funded almost entirely by voluntary donations, the saying 'every little helps' really does apply here!! You never know when their services may be needed, either for yourself, friends and /or family, so please dig deep....any donation is greatly appreciated!

Particularly us #horseypeople all understand how much charities like this help us and it is always reassuring to know they are there to help when needed. Parts of some competition venues can't be accessed by cars so an ambulance would struggle to get to you, for instance, a fall on a XC course. An air ambulance trust such as the KSSAAT would be able to get to you and not only treat you on site but also ensure you get to the best possible place for treatment as quickly and safely as possible.

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With regards to the horses, my 3 girls have been enjoying a bit of quiet time over the last few weeks. They have been kept fit but with the weather being so horrible at the end of January and through February I have just kept them ticking over. Although this has allowed me to concentrate on my running training and fitness, I have to say we are getting very 'itchy feet' now as we haven't been to a competition for more than 8 weeks!

Roxie and Milli are feeling very well and if anything I think a bit of quiet time has done them the world of good! Diaz has been doing the odd bit, some long walks out hacking and I'm looking forward to having a bit more time to really crack on with her and get her back out competing.

​I'm hoping to get Roxie and Milli out to at least one jumping competition before I run the marathon as the Wednesday after the marathon (the 12th April) we are packing up for a weekend away! We are heading to Weston Lawns for their Easter Extravaganza show which I am very much looking forward to.....not so much the long drive there as I think my legs are most likely to still be hurting, but at least once we are their it will be a bit of a mini holiday for me :) It will be just Roxie and Milli going away for this one but hopefully Diaz will be fit and ready to join us at the next one! My sister is coming with two of here horses as well so it will be a bit of a family outing that's for sure!

​I would like to say a big, big thank you to all of you who very kindly donate and sponsor my marathon run.....I'm looking forward to crossing the finish line after the last few months of training that's for sure!

SG Equestrian
xXx

​***Keep Calm & Canter On***