Do what you can to keep your energy

RUN FOR IT

Musical director Steve Holness recently ran the London Marathon, raising more than £6,800 for Crohn’s and Colitis UK – on top of the £6,000 he raised running the race in 2017.

An associate musical director in the West End, Steve was diagnosed with Colitis in his early 20s and rediagnosed with Crohn’s in his 30s.

Now 41, he says fundraising for Crohn’s and Colitis UK has helped him open up about his condition. “Before I did the marathon I didn’t talk about my Crohn’s,” he says. “If I was conducting a show and I was in excruciating pain, I’d just say I had a bad tummy and try to hide it. But as I needed sponsorship, I started to tell people about it – and we’d do a bucket collection at the end of shows, too. It’s actually so much easier now that the cat’s out of the bag at work and people know about my condition. It’s also amazing when we do collections how many people come up and tell me about their family member or friend who has Crohn’s.” GETTING HIS JOG ON HELPED STEVE HOLNESS OPEN UP – AND RAISE MORE THAN £12K

Steve Holness taking part in the London Marathon

STEVE’S TIPS FOR RUNNING WITH IBD

2Allow enough time to get ready. Before a long run, I’ll get up early to make sure I’ve eaten and that I can manage to go to the loo before heading out.

1Be careful what you eat leading up to a race. As I work nights, I eat out a lot but I have learned not to try anything new the week before. You never know how your body will respond.

3Do what you can to keep your energy levels up. Anyone with IBD knows that tiredness is a problem and since I’ve been on infliximab, it’s been especially difficult. I have to drink a lot of coffee and take dry toast with peanut butter to eat mid-race to keep my stamina up. I use energy gels but it’s important to try out which work for you as some can cause a reaction. Do this well ahead of a big race so you’re not caught out on the day.

4Keep hydrated. This is true for anyone running long distances but

if you have IBD then it’s especially important that you drink enough.

5Always carry tissues with you. I learnt this from experience when I was caught short on a long run and could only find a public toilet with no loo paper. My partner Debbie had to pass me leaves from nearby bushes to use.

WILL YOU WALK IT?

Why not sign up for a Crohn’s and Colitis UK sponsored place on a run or event? As well as WALK IT, there are plenty of opportunities to get active and raise awareness of Crohn’s and Colitis – and possibly raise funds, too. Upcoming runs include the Great North Run in Newcastle (9 September) – the world’s largest halfmarathon – and London’s Royal Parks Half Marathon (14 October). You could also sign up to run, walk or jog the Thames Path Challenge (8 to 9 September) or – if you’re adventurous – jump out of a plane for Crohn’s and Colitis UK by taking part in a sponsored skydive during the year. READY TO RACE

FOR MORE INFORMATION crohnsandcolitis.org.uk/ fundraising

6Listen to your body. This year I experienced excruciating pain while running a halfmarathon and had to slow right down. There’s no shame in knowing when enough’s enough.

7Enjoy the afterglow. Even when you’re physically broken after a big run, it’s a great feeling.

IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO GET INVOLVED

There is still time to sign up for the remaining WALK IT events of 2018. Register on the website or if registration is closed (due to proximity to the event) just turn up and register on the day to join the fun and walk a 5k or 10k route.

For a £14 fee for adults or £7 for children, participants receive a free WALK IT T-shirt and will have the opportunity to be a part of the Crohn’s and Colitis UK community while raising vital funds and awareness for these conditions.

At the Manchester event, Crohn’s and Colitis UK is combining WALK IT with a family day, complete with a big top, circus skills lessons and a clown show. There will also be Crohn’s and Colitis UK information officers on hand. Event villages for all walks open at 9.30am.

TEA TOTAL

WALK IT 2018

Manchester: 16 June St Michael’s Flags and Angel Meadow, Manchester M4 4TF Edinburgh: 24 June Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh EH2 2HG Newcastle: 30 June Leazes Park, Newcastle NE2 4BJ Birmingham: 7 July City Centre Gardens, Birmingham B1 2NP

WALK IT has already taken place this year in Plymouth, Bristol, Swansea and London. Volunteers are still needed for the remaining events.

GET INVOLVED crohnsandcolitis.org.uk/walkit

Get your BAKE IT fundraising pack crohnsandcolitis. org.uk/bakeit

DID YOU BAKE IT FOR WORLD IBD DAY 2018?

Crohn’s and Colitis UK celebrated World IBD Day on 19 May with a royal theme as it coincided with the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

Supporters were encouraged to hold their own royal-tea party or bake sale to raise awareness of IBD as well as funds for the charity.

Our sucessful PosterMaker also enjoyed a makeover fit for a queen, to enable supporters to share their story of what it is like to live with Crohn’s and Colitis.