The Sepsis Alliance and World Sepsis Day

I follow a number of website who deal with Sepsis. I've mentioned all this before. The guys and gals at Sepsis Alliance have done another piece on yours truly and the Olympic Relay. You can read it here.

Also, be aware of World Sepsis Day coming up in September. Now, this website is pretty good too. I've found information here I did not know about, so I'm gonna share it with you... some of this will sound familiar...

After Sepsis

After a patient has survived the acute phase of sepsis, a long list of serious symptoms often remain.
The extent of these complications depends on the severity of sepsis as well as the length of stay in the intensive care unit and in the hospital. These complications often persist for years after the actual sepsis attack. The lack of specific, standardized rehabilitation programs for sepsis patients slows down or hinders full recovery.
These medical conditions often have far-reaching effects on the survivor's life and lifestyle.

Incidences of post traumatic stress disorder

Rape   55.5%

War   38.8%

ICU survivors*   22%

Physical violence   11.5%

Fire/Natural catastrophes   4.5%

sepsis accounts for 50-60% of ICU cases

More research on the long-term effects of sepsis is needed to understand the needs of sepsis survivors and develop long-term treatment concepts. That's why we're dedicated to supporting research in this field; more research funding is urgently needed.

The World Sepsis Day aims to improve medical knowledge of the long-term effects of sepsis. Dealing with the long-term impact of sepsis must become an integral part of learning curricula for healthcare workers, so that sepsis survivors and their loved ones can receive the support they need.

Go with 2 Crows!

A bit on the late side with this post, but here it is :P

So, after months of training, little Scarlett came down south with me for the London 10K. I think this is the 5th time I've run this one. Always a pleasure and always great views and a great crowd. This year Nike had taken over from Asics as the main sponsor... this had its problems mostly cause by them insisting on runners all wearing the same running tops. According to their 'rules' this was mandatory though on the day alot of people turned up in their charity shirts- I just wish we had too as Scarlett had raised in the region of £500 for The Scoliosis Campaign Fund (SCF)- not only through people sponsoring on-line, she also organised a cake sale at school! Well done Scaz!!
Alex, my eldest, also came down to London as cheering squad and Nigel, a mate from 'round the corner, also came and ran!
30,000 people were running today and I don't think Scarlett had ever seen an event so big. With marching bands, elite runners and 100's of charities and supporters, it is a big deal and she was rather nervous to say the least.
With this event, it usually takes about 30-40 mins to cross the start line after the gun has gone. This means we can watch, on a big screen, the winners cross the finish line before we even get to the start line! 

Eventually we set off. It was raining. We'd been stood in bin liners and finally got rid of them. The rain, I might add, was nowhere near as gruesome as at Gainsborough earlier in the year- it was enough to be vaguely pleasant and it stopped once in a while too. I've been alot faster this year on my running, but today was Scarlett's day so we stayed together (lucky for me she's not faster!!!)- Great route, a cheer from our Charity as we passed them and we'd run up and down the Embankment before we knew it and heading towards Big Ben and Westminster where we stopped momentarily to say hi to Alex (photo will go here when I get it from her!)
I'd was plagued by my shoelaces... came undone 3 times which is most annoying and nearly lost Scaz on the 3rd stop but luckily found her again.
As you go passed Big Ben, there's about 1.5km to go to the finish line on Whitehall. Scarlett was beginning to struggle a little now. In the last half km and over the finish line we held hands.... We made it and not at all a bad time...1hr 3mins 35secs

So, all in all, a good days running- boy was I glad of a shower after- we were soaked, sweaty and getting cold so back to the hotel, dry out, get warm, pack and head out for lunch and train home. 

Smashin!

Soooooo, what's next.... latest update to events is:

The Ride With Brad Sportive

Garmin Ride Out (if I'm offered a place this year)

The Wiggle Rut (Andy insists we have unfinished business- see previous post)

Cat & Fiddle Ride

GranFondo di Roma

so, plenty to do... can't wait!

The Torch Relay

The Olympic Torch. Day 39. Tuesday afternoon. Immingham. 18 nervous white-suited torchbearers gathered in a room, waiting for instructions on what to do, we chatted amongst ourselves shyly swapping stories of why we were there. After having ID checks we were issued with running numbers and I managed to find the people I'd be receiving from and giving to:Megan was to be the first runner of the Immingham stretch followed by yours truly then I pass on to Lee.

being briefed before getting on the coach

First 3 runners! Megan, Phil & Lee

Megan's nomination story

"I introduce Megan as a young local sportsperson, who works tirelessly to inspire the young people of Lincolnshire. I have known Megan since teaching her as a 6 year old. Even at that early age she was a very keen footballer, always out on the school field with the boys!! Megan is a qualified sports teacher who puts her training to excellent use with Lincoln Ladies Football Club. She has been with them since their foundation in 1996, playing regularly in the team which now plays in the newly-formed WSL. Megan drafted the successful bid which allowed them to join and she encourages young people to watch the matches, become ballgirls and be inspired towards becoming professional footballers themselves. Megan works tirelessly for the young people of Lincolnshire, especially encouraging girls to play football, through organising and leading coaching sessions in over 30 schools to date, and now at summer football camps which currently attract over 80 children. Please read the club's website for more details of their Community work - all Megan's inspiration (www.lincolnladiesfc/community.com) Pertaining to the Olympics Megan has set up a link with the Lincolnshire Sports Partnership called Quest for Gold, which is helping with the Olympic build up for the youth of Lincolnshire. Megan is an inspirational and positive role model for the young footballers of Lincolnshire and I implore you please to seriously consider her as a torch bearer. Thank you."
Lee's nomination story
"At the age of 16 he qualified for The English Schools Championships, held the Northern League title for 4 consecutive years, the first time in the history of long jump that it had happened. At the age of 19 he was offered a full scholarship to Florida State University, invited to the European U23 championships in which he won the silver 3 consecutive years before going onto winning the gold on the final year. This Gold made him the European U23 champion ranking him number 1 in the UK for the U23`s and ranking 8th in the country for all ages. In 2008 he regained his title for the Northern League and for the European U23`s and was then invited to the Olympic Trials for Beijing . Lee is part of the Belgrave Harriers Team. Lee also volunteers and does a lot of coaching in his own time."

After a few snaps and deciding on how to do the flame handover -Megan and I were 'kiss on the right cheek' and ma and Lee were, after some persuasion, 'link arms and spin around!!' (are you sure...yeah, it'll be great!)- we all boarded the coach. 

The way it was planned was that we were covering Immingham and Grimsby then drive back to Immingham, torches decommissioned and handed out and then we were free to go!)... Us Immingham lot were not over impressed but what can you do... go with the flow :)

Immingham and Grimsby torchbearers

As the coach approached the first drop off the crowds were getting big. It finally dawned on us that they were there to watch us! Shiiiit! Megan was called forward and dropped off to a massive cheer form us all on the coach and she was immediately surrounded! gulp! We carried on. By now, people were waving and pointing at us. Erm, ok, I'll wave back then! Then the coach pulled in again and it was for me.... off I trotted, given a torch and a cheer and left at the side of the road. I felt like a fish out of water. Luckily one of the police runners came and met me and got me to my spot and then it began. "can my daughter have her picture taken with you?"

"can I touch your torch?"

"can I have a picture with you too?"

It was mental. I'm nobody. It's not about me, it's the thing in my hand. Is this a snapshot of what celebrities have to put up with? Not sure this is good (well, it's fine for 10 mins...not 24/7!!!)

My family and friends were with me. It was brilliant. Dave, Aggi, Frank, Pauline, Mark, Rosemary, Nige, Nicola, Sasha, Dave (hope I've not missed anyone!) all turned out with most of them singing some embarrassing some about Immingham and torches and go with crow (think Pauline was to blame) which apparently was broadcast on the radio! 

Lots more pics and groping of the torch and I could see Megan approaching me. OMFG here we go!

Everything happened all at once. We met, we kissed, we posed and before I knew it my torch was lit "hold it up high. You now have the Olympic flame!" So I did. High as I could. And boy, was I on a high too! Posed for a picture then front and centre. "What's your name?" "Phil" "Okay Phil, let's go!" And I set off. It was bloody magic. I was running with the Olympic flame. Me! How cool is that! And people were waving at me. So I waved back! It was fabulous. I'm grinning as I type. Then across the road I saw Jules, a mate from Cranwell days, with her camera. So I waved at her! I waved at anything with a pulse!! Sooner than I thought, Lee came into sight and I dived for him, linked arms and we did our stupid twirl! Well, it made everyone cheer and smile and that is what the day was about. No sooner had that happened, I was passing the flame across to Lee's torch and having mine turned off. It was now Lee's 'moment to shine.' As for me, I was still grinning like a Cheshire cat. What a buzz! I got onto the coach and Megan and I just laughed. What else could you do! We trundled along behind the procession, still waving at everyone. As each torchbearer got onto the coach a huge cheer went up form us all. Everyone still had great big stupid grins- we just couldn't help it! We were royalty for a moment in time. Such an odd feeling. Trying to find words to describe this is proving to be really tricky especially as I have nothing to compare this to...not anything like this!
The Immingham runners were all now back on the coach. With our torches stowed, we headed across to Grimsby to cheer the others on, still waving like mad at everyone- even the police escort were waving back. It was great!

the 'Immingham torches'- all with our numbers next to our 'own' torches

And before we knew it, the Grimsby leg was complete and the coach turned off from the convoy to head back to Immingham to drop us off. Once there, the torches had their gas canisters removed and we were given our torches back. And that was it. Back to reality. Such an odd and abrupt end to the day. Everyone had gone. Even 2 of the kids had gone as they had presentations and parties to go to. Being so far out of Lincoln, my supporters had all gone home too. Quite the anti-climax in a way. It's tricky with this being mid week as what do you do afterwards. Well, nothing really.  I had to be up at 4.30am the following day as I was following the torch relay around Lincolnshire shooting it. Apart from the 'official' torch relay photographers, I think I was the only one who managed to cover 14 locations (2 of those being the following day). So, we headed home, had some tea and checked out Facebook comments (as you do! lol) and prepped my kit. One thing I did read which really touched me was from a lady called Helen Peake. I've known her for years through Lincoln Drill Hall and other places she's worked and I bump into her now and again- lovely lady :) and this is what she wrote on Facebook:

"At 4.41pm you jumped into my head so at 4.42pm I quickly googled the live torch cam and within moments there you were and me and three of my work colleagues stood watching you as your details flashed up to the right of the screen, moments later you were handing over the torch and I was wiping a tear from my eye, I know I barely know you but knowing the support you felt two years ago when you couldn't say thank you to today when all you have done is say thank you, you've been a quiet inspiration and I can't wait to hear the next part of your story!"

I wanted to cry. This is what I love about the people I choose to be in touch with. Everyone of them are fabulous friends and inspirational people. Carrying that torch...it wasn't just me during that 3 minutes...it was every special person I know. They were there with me holding that flame up- my family and my friends. After all, it was they who helped me through my time in hospital, encouraged me in my stupid rides and races and without that network behind me, today would never have happened. I must also thank Lynn for nominating me in the first place. Never in a million years did I think I'd be picked after she nominated me. Amazing. The next thing is to take the torch to ICU and share it with them and organise a belated Relay party!!!

So, what is the next part of my story? How do I top that?? Well, cycling around Rome's Colosseum might do for starters...roll on October though I'm sure I can fit something in before then... Watch this space!

The final thing I'd like to say about the Torch Relay is how uplifting for the nation this has been. Having followed it around the county, I have never seen so many people fill the streets like this event: British flags waved with pride in all weathers and happy beaming faces. Even the most cynical people who have stood at the side of the road have been touched. It's quite amazing really. I never expected this to be so heartwarming. At a time when the country is all about doom and gloom, the Olympic torch relay seems to have brought us all together. And that's a good thing... right?