Niki’s story
Niki Whitaker ran the London Marathon for the Miscarriage Association in 2013.
The last 6 miles were a wee bit more challenging it has to be said, but the pain and suffering was nothing compared to that feeling of utter emptiness so many have experienced in the scan room.
2013 was not supposed to be London Marathon year for me! But after a 4th miscarriage in January, I decided to put my “good for age” place to good use and raise some money and much-needed awareness for the Miscarriage Association.
Training was a bit last minute, but very therapeutic for me. It got me out of bed on the coldest, darkest and wettest of mornings and out pounding the streets. It gave me time to think and also gave me a focus. My hubby and my daughter were – as always – brilliant, laughing at the sheer craziness of me heading out for a long run in the snow ?
The day itself was amazing, my first London Marathon, and I will definitely be back again in the future. The crowds were overwhelming, and I would go as far as saying the first 20 miles were great – I loved it!
The last 6 miles were a wee bit more challenging it has to be said, but the pain and suffering was nothing compared to that feeling of utter emptiness so many have experienced in the scan room. And what got me through was simply doing something to help other people that have gone / are going through miscarriage, or will do in the future. I know we ran through London, past all of these famous landmarks, but I didn’t see any of them!
The M.A. team supporting us at mile 18 was a very welcome pick me up – thank you all just for being there. And my hubby popped up at 4 points along the route to cheer me on. I was soooo relieved to see that finish line, but what a day and what an achievement! The goal was to raise some money, and to make people more aware of miscarriage, and we did it, Team M.A.!!! (And I got a Personal Best in the bag too, which was fab!)
