The Olympic Stadium beckons.

Firstly, I would like to thank everyone who has sponsored me so far for my Gold Challenge. I have won a place in the Olympic Stadium test event running 100 metres. I am very excited. It is going to be a great day. There's a parade (I think it's supposed to be like a pretend opening ceremony), the charity mascots race and us Gold Challengers running 100 metres. They are making an event of it with Spellbound from Britain's Got Talent and other guests. There is also talk of a 'special guest'. I am of course hoping that we're going to get the news that S Club 7 are reforming and are going to be that 'special guest'. Well, a girl can hope. If you did want to keep Steve company at the event you can buy tickets here. The event is on the 1st April so one month away. Secondly, my knee. Two weeks ago I had my knee surgery. My last blog post was full of optimism (work in 2 weeks and sport in 6 weeks). That didn't go quite to plan. Basically, we were expecting them to do a trim of my meniscus cartilage but they did a repair which means they stitched it up. This makes my recovery is much slower. I have to take 6 weeks off work (so another month to go....) and I am in a cricket splint when I mobilise. I see the physio tomorrow so will know how long I am in the splint for and to see how it is going. The first three days post operative were awful. I did not expect it to be quite as bad (they fill your knee with local anesthetic during the operation so they give you with a false sense of security) but it is gradually getting better. I still can't walk far and need my crutch if I am going further than around the house and I quite comically have one big leg and one little leg as my muscles are disappearing fast. Hopefully I'll get some exercises tomorrow to build them up. I can almost guarantee that I won't be sprinting 100metres in the Olympic Stadium event but my aim is to get from the start to the finish. That's what's keeping me going at the moment. Thirdly, Sports. That's what I am supposed to be doing. Obviously at the moment I am limited at what I can do. I can only do something that involves 'standing' and that doesn't involve much effort to get to and from. I am hoping to get back to archery this week as I haven't been able to get out the house for the last two weeks. I have two more sessions to do and then I have completed the beginners course. I am also going to book a couple of air rifle sessions in the weeks ahead too. Air rifles excite me as Steve is going to do it with me too. I have also been looking though the sports list and swapping and changing the sports to the most knee friendly sports. When I signed up for the challenge I was hoping to do a half marathon but now my big aim is to do a 5k park run in July. I am also going to book an open water swim in July too. If you haven't yet sponsored me and want to/ are able to, you can here. Once again, thank you everyone for your support. It is very much appreciated- and all the support and sponsorship is keeping me going to get better and get running as soon as possible.

Light at the end of the tunnel.....

I never would have thought I would be excited to have an operation. Ok, so I am not excited about the actual act, the anesthetic and the pain but I can't wait to finally be pain free. On Monday I am having keyhole surgery on my gammy knee. I have to say- I am very impressed with the service I have received from the NHS. The A&E department, fracture clinic and radiology departments in Worcester Royal Hospital, the physio department at Cirencester hospital and my lovely GP surgery who I have had to call many times in the morning, desperate because I have woken up hardly able to walk. I injured my knee at the end of November and by mid February I am getting it fixed. That is a great service and why I LOVE THE NHS. Anyway, even though I have been keeping my Gold Challenge ticking over with wheelchair basketball and archery (I have done my forth session this week and am loving it) I really can't wait to really get cracking. I have about 6 weeks recovery after the surgery but am hoping there will be some things I can do. I visited my family last weekend and brought my hockey stick back with me (last time I played was a decade ago) and I am tentatively planning what sports I can do when better. I am excited about doing equestrian, I have never ridden a horse so it will be an experience. I am also really looking forward to doing an open water swim, it is something I have wanted to do for a while. I cannot believe how generous everyone has been with sponsoring me. I am currently 9th in the Gold Challenge fundraising league. I am in with a chance of being the first to run 100 metres in the Olympic Stadium on April 1st. If you are able to sponsor me for my Gold Challenge you can do it here I will update you after my operation.