CRY Surgery Supporters
Network Newsletter 02 Summer 2010
News and information for young people living with cardiac conditions
Joseph after one of his previous races
P2 Parliamentary Reception 09
Joseph Tanner and James Doherty at an SSN meeting
P3 Members News P4 About the CRY SSN
Joseph Tanner was a marathon runner until in 2008, aged 26, he collapsed after competing in the Hastings half marathon. This is his story. Since March 16 2008 I haven't run a mile, to feel my feet pound the ground, to run into my void, for so long I've not had my escape.
If I was to die tomorrow, be it by running would it not make you happy knowing that I died happy? I was able to be me again.
On Sunday I finished reading the book ‘What I Talk About When I Talk About Running’, maybe I shouldn't have read it. It is sort of the memoirs of Haruki Murakami a long distance runner, who has done many marathons.
If my little box does go off and I have a shock, I'd contact a couple of people from SSN and hopefully they will be able to pick me up from this dark place.
I've not been able to switch that side of me off, the many times I've walked along the seafront at night and the runners pass me and I've broken down in tears. I didn't think I'd ever put on my running shoes again, but by the time you read this I've probably run a couple of miles. I'm not going to run a marathon again, though I would never say never, a man can have dreams. On Sunday 22 November 2009 at the CRY SSN meeting cardiologist Dr Sanjay Sharma was there and he said that I could run again, whilst advising against marathons and pushing myself. I won't lie, I am still a little scared that something may happen or go wrong, dying not fun!
I know I'm one of the lucky ones, I don't have to take medication like beta blockers, all I have is my little friend to the end! On Saturday 28 November, I finally stopped making excuses and went for a run. I have to admit it felt weird to be running again after so long, I also had to get used to my box while running. I sent a couple of text messages to members of the CRY SSN while running and they were all very supportive. I ran for over an hour, I probably covered roughly 7 miles, I just felt so alive. I think everytime I lace up my trainers there will always be a little fear in the back of my mind that I need my little back up.
CRY Surgery Supporters Network Summer ‘10 | 1