#VLM2013 - The Full Joint Action Story

Huge congratulations and thank you to the brave men who participated in the Virgin London Marathon 2013.  The VLM2013 Joint Action team consisted of two orthopaedic surgeons, Prof Robin Paton and Robert MacFarlane; one member of staff from the British Orthopaedic Association, Dan Maby; Dan’s brother-in-law and his brother, Dave and Peter Gostling and two of Joint Action’s supporters (Charlie Lawrence and Matt Copeland).

I stuck at it though, following a training programme designed for marathon events and gradually improved.  Over the following months I built my distance up to 13 miles, training three times a week on my own.  I thoroughly enjoyed the training (but could have done without the cold weather).

As I have had a replacement knee the thought of other people in pain and needing surgery kept me focused when times got tough.

Once I got the ball rolling I was amazed at how it snowballed with donations coming in from everywhere. There are so many stories of reunions both with family and friends I wouldn’t know where to start.  The whole experience was one of the most emotional ones of my life.”

 

26 year old Matt Copeland wanted to run for Joint Action because his mum has Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD).

“This was my first year running the London Marathon.  I found the whole experience overwhelmingly brilliant.  The crowds were an amazing support throughout and motivated me to keep me going when I hit that ‘wall’, especially at mile 14.  The support of my family and friends made the training and the day even more worthwhile and knowing they were scattered around the course made it even more important to get to the next mile.  A fantastic day and one of the best experiences of my life and knowing I was raising money for a great charity.”

Dan, the BOA’s very own Information Systems Manager found the challenge tough but exhilarating, especially as he and his brother-in-law, David, decided to wear sumo suits. 

“Taking part in the London Marathon for Joint Action was without doubt the most physically challenging and at the same time one of the most rewarding days of my life.  I would recommend everyone, no matter what ability, takes part at least once in their life.  The crowds, the pain, the euphoria and the fellow runners will never leave my mind.”

Published: 03/05/2013