Thank you

One target met! Very proud and extremely grateful. Thanks everyone. Donations are still rolling in - next stop 11k!

One week til race day......

www.justgiving.com/Paul-Fairhurst

Kids on board!!!

Max & Amy's classes are doing sponsored events to raise funds for Spinal Research. I went to school yesterday to talk to the kids about spinal cord injuries, paralysis and the need to help find a cure. They were all brilliant and all of them said they will raise at least $50 - if that happens, that will take me over the 10,000 target - it will be great if the kids are the ones to get me across the line!

I heard from one of the mums to say her son was very moved and impacted. Very special to hear that

The race route...

Here it is..... the route for the 10k. Just under two weeks to go!!

Big progress

A couple of weeks ago I saw someone at the gym doing Bosu squats. I remember watching them, recalling how I did that exercise pre accident and wondering when I might do it again - if ever. On Tuesday, I got my answer! I can't describe how good this felt. I'm still excited days later! Added to that, I made great progress on sit ups - WITH a medicine ball! - and did some good work on the punch bag (which seems to be helping release upper body tightness). Really happy!!!

Yeah!!!

Excuse me, but fuck yeah!!! 8.28km this morning!!! 2 hour 35 minutes. Really, really chuffed.

This morning was sunny, very hot (around 32 degrees by the time I finished) and humid (after a storm yesterday evening) - the weather can't be any more challenging than this on race day.

Gait was very good in many parts - something different was happening this morning, in a positive way.

The last 400m was hard going though. I started to stiffen and lose balance. 5 meters from the car I tripped and fell in a bush! That's the first time I've fallen in over a month. I'll put this one down to fatigue! Recently I discovered a few quotes from Nelson Mandela. He said "The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall". That quote helps me today.

How will Spinal Research use the money?

I asked Spinal Research for information on how the money being raised will be used. One of the research initiatives is into the clinical use of an enzyme called chondroitinase. After a SCI, a scar develops at the injury site. That scar blocks the way for re-growing nerves which might otherwise be capable of making useful new connections to restore movement and function. They have discovered that the bacterial enzyme chondroitinase could digest these molecules. That holds out the very real prospect that this most significant obstacle to regeneration might one day be therapeutically overcome. Spinal Research said:

"We now have a path, plan and timeline to take the enzyme chondroitinase to clinical trials. We plan two approaches to development, one by injecting the enzyme directly to the injury site, and the second by using gene therapy before delivery. Gene therapy has demonstrated the most effective results thus far, but it carries a greater number of uncertainties and thus concern for the regulatory authorities. We believe this parallel approach is therefore prudent and provides the greatest opportunity for success.

It’s obviously just one of our areas of work but it’s a huge step in the right direction and a good example how the funds you raise will help us reach clinical trials."

Fantastic to know!!

PS..... target raised to £10,000

My fundraising has almost reached £7,500. Thanks very much everyone. I've raised the target again - now £10,000!!

www.justgiving.com/Paul-Fairhurst

Getting back to it

No long walk today. I got back to Singapore last weekend after 2 weeks in Turkey and the UK. Since then, I've had a spike in tightness and pain (jet lag and tiredness might be contributors), so it felt better to not push it too hard today. Instead, had a long gym session this morning. Lots of work on the connective tissue and muscle tightness, then to mobilize my pelvis (which felt beneficial), then 50 minutes on the treadmill - difficult in parts, but very good in others. Getting back to it! 5 weekends to go to race day!!

Overwhelmed

Just 3 weeks after launching my fund raising, I have passed the £5,000 target. To all those who have donated so far .... you know, I'm sure, that the money will make a big difference to Spinal Research. You should also know how much your support is helping me. It's uplifting, motivating, energizing - even healing. Thank you. And sooooo ..... I've raised the target to £7,500. You made me do it!!!

Getting there....

7.66k today - new record, another 1k closer to the target. First 4k was tough going - messy gait, uncomfortable on the hills and with lots of people around. But the second half was better and the last 1k felt good. Encouraging! It was 30 degrees by the time I finished, after 2 hours 27 minutes walking - hot and tired by the end, but happy with the progress!!

http://www.justgiving.com/Paul-Fairhurst