 
 
THE NEW YORK MARATHON
By Christian Bruce
When I decided to run the New York marathon, I was under no illusions as to how difficult the task ahead of me would be. I bought Jeff Galloway’s book (a must for beginner marathon runners) ‘Marathon – You Can Do It’ which was recommended to me by a veteran of five marathons as the running “bible” and I began my training.
Regardless of how careful you are marathon running takes a physical toll on your body. One of the reasons I decided to run the marathon was to find a replacement exercise for rugby which I had given up due to a herniated L4/L5 disc sustained in my final, career ending game. Having tried two different physiotherapists and an osteopath, I had found no relief from the excruciating sciatica and all the usual discomforts of a knackered lower back. Fortunately for me, Space clinics opened in Dalry Road a couple of months following and I sought out the skills of Stuart Barton. Stuart had treated me for a nasty medial knee ligament injury in 2000 and miraculously managed to repair me within 10 weeks allowing me to return to rugby within the season. His approach to physiotherapy was like no other I had experienced and I was adamant that he assess my back for a second opinion. Coincidentally, I always felt slimmer in his company to boot!
The day following my first consultation, I was in the MRI Scanner in Clydebank. I left the hospital in Glasgow with my X-rays and drove straight to Fairmilehead where I passed them (in the pub car park - brown paper envelope - you can picture the scene!!) to the radiologist’s PA for examination that evening. The following morning I was being correctly treated by Stuart who spoke with the Radiologist on the phone regarding my injury whilst I was in the treatment room. All in 48 hours! This was no average service. My rehabilitation was conducted in military fashion and was so successful that I completed the marathon without even contemplating my back: it was my knees that took the limelight.
With tendenitous in one knee and patella tear in the other, 3 months into my training, the Space team set to work patching me up sufficiently enough to complete the marathon in just under four and a half hours. Without their supreme efforts and world class expertise, I would have been disappointing a lot of my sponsors on November 5th. Credit should also go to podiatrist Toni Blacklock, who assessed my biomechanics and provided the orthotics in my trainers which helped align my knees correctly to endure the 26 miles. Lastly but certainly not least, I benefited from regular deep tissue massages from Gillian which kept me ship shape, particularly during the run up to the marathon. Ultimately, without the specialist attention of all the staff at Space, I would have failed to complete the marathon and I am extremely grateful to the whole team for helping me through. A big thanks must also go to Sharon for processing all my BUPA claim forms!!
A month after the marathon I am pleased to say that despite losing a couple of toenails and temporarily losing the use of one knee, I was back jogging the streets! My knee only sporadically fails to work and I have nick-named it “Elvis” after my emulation of the great man’s famous dance move at the times when it gives up!
The whole New York experience is one which I will never forget for many reasons. Please take a look at some of the photos below. However, my most sustaining and humbling memory is of the generosity of all those people who sponsored me. My aspirations at the outset were to raise around £2,000, however, as the marathon drew nearer and indeed, now that is has passed, the fund raising target has consistently been adjusted. I am, therefore, extremely proud to inform you that more than £8000 has been raised on behalf of Capability Scotland.
Both the Charity and I are ecstatic with the figure raised and sincerely grateful to you for your generous contribution. The money will be wisely spent improving the lives of many people living day to day with disability.
Thank you so much for your support; just don’t make me do it again!!
Kind Regards
CKB
Christian Bruce
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