Beth Leighton, 33, is taking on the event next month to highlight hyperemesis gravidarum – severe vomiting and nausea leading to health problems in pregnancy.
Taking place on Sunday 21 April at York Racecourse, the TEWV 10k is the first running event organised by our Trust, where Beth works.
To spread the word on the work of nationwide charity Pregnancy Sickness Support, Beth also plans to take part in the Great North Run (GNR) in September.
“Hyperemesis gravidarum is sometimes dismissed as just morning sickness, but it really isn’t. I couldn’t keep anything down and ended up in hospital on a drip,” she said.
“When I discovered that support was available, it was sadly too late for me. Now I’m hoping that by raising awareness of the charity, I can help others get the support they need.
“It was a real spur of the moment thing to sign up to run. I don’t even like running, I’m much more of a gym person. But the challenge is now on, and I’m doing it!”
Beth, who is based at Auckland Park and works in mental health services for older people, developed hyperemesis gravidarum while pregnant with her daughter Ava in 2018.
She was first struck down by the severe vomiting and nausea during her honeymoon in Croatia, and initially thought it was a holiday bug. Sadly, it was far more serious.
“I tried to follow people’s advice, like eating ginger nuts for nausea, but nothing seemed to help. Five days after returning from my honeymoon I ended up in hospital,” she said.
“It really is an awful condition. It affects both your physical and mental health and is so draining.”
Although hyperemesis gravidarum affects up to three in every 100 pregnancies – with the Princess of Wales developing it during all of hers – awareness remains quite low.
Beth struggled with ill health throughout her pregnancy, losing two stone despite specialist medication. She also developed post-natal depression following the birth.
“Even lifting my head off the pillow made me ill, it was an awful time. It was horrible for my husband Dan to see me ill all the time, and just not be able to help,” she said.
“It took me several years to struggle back to health, and I just wish I’d known about Pregnancy Sickness Support back then. It could have helped both me and Dan.”
Exercise proved a key part of Beth’s eventual recovery. Running, however, never featured in her health and wellness regime.
Indeed, she “still doesn’t know why” she signed up for the GNR after seeing an advert pop up on her Instagram page – especially as she loathed the idea of running.
“I’d only ever tried it once before, more than a decade earlier, and hated it. But I’m gritting my teeth and getting on with the training,” said Beth, from Hartlepool.
“When I saw the news about the TEWV 10K, I was excited. It’s the spur I need to keep trying. If I can manage 10K by April, I’m on the right track to a half marathon.
“Both events will be tough, but worth it. I don’t care about timings; I just want to get over the finish line. Raising awareness is my priority and I’m determined to do it.
“I’ll probably never run again after all this. Running really just isn’t for me – but you never know, after all the training, I might grow to love it!”
To find out more and enter, visit the TEWV 10k page
If you would like to sponsor Beth, you can do so by clicking here
If you, or anyone you know, is struggling with pregnancy sickness, support can be found on the PSS website
