Page 63 - She's One Crazy Lady!

told a bone had become disjointed at the base of my spine near to the coccyx and it was that that was causing the referred pain in my knees. Dr. Lawrence was elated. Feeling hot, embarrassed, and thinking what a bizarre situation to be in, I explained about the forthcoming marathon and what it meant to me. Disappointingly, my back had to be ‘corrected’ again so I was strongly advised not to run as there was an obvious weakness that could become much worse if I persevered with the training and the run (walk, in my case). I was devastated. With a heavy heart I reluctantly, but sensibly, withdrew – and received a t-shirt with the words: ‘I nearly ran the London Marathon’ printed on both sides.
Not only was playing sport good for keeping fit and healthy and
being disciplined, but it was also the friendships formed that remain
memorable and so special, for many of my sporting friends did so much
to support me through the darkest days when breast cancer invaded my
life and afterwards when I left education to concentrate on charity work. “
Today, sadly and as much as I would like to, I no longer play tennis or table tennis and I definitely do not take part in any marathons but I do like walking and go out as much as I can to stretch the legs. Whenever I watch either tennis or table tennis on the TV I am playing every point for the players and still tense up when the scores are close. My last game of table tennis was when a friend, Derrick Muggleton, from Burton Baptist Table Tennis Club told me they were organising a 12 hour table tennis marathon for Crazy Hats but, there were conditions! He said they would only present the cheque if I were to play a game against him. Well, on the day in question, our Crazy Hats team were out in force and on our feet all day in the Swansgate Shopping Centre in Wellingborough, selling our wares and raising awareness. The thought of playing an actual game afterwards was not that appealing but, I went along, not having picked a bat up for many years. Within seconds Derrick, who had been playing on and off all day, and a regular player, suggested we had a knock up to prepare for the big
game. I couldn’t play for laughing having forgotten how fast the game was and how hard it was on the joints and back to keep picking the ball up – balls were flying past me and there were very few rallies. Needless to say, he easily beat me but I really did enjoy it and, although I was MUCH slower, I hadn’t lost the touch and loved it when I was able to smash a few – something I always loved to do against the opposition, who were mostly men – men who often hated losing to a woman!
Yes, my sporting days were some of the best days of my life.
With a
heavy heart I reluctantly,
but sensibly, withdrew. ”
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