Martin is on the comeback trail at last
TWELVE months ago, Newmarket stablelad Martin Gear was in training for the biggest run of his career – the 2009 London Marathon.
Cruelly, just weeks before the big race, Martin was robbed of his chance of taking his place in the field after being kicked just above his right eye by a colt at Sir Michael Stoute's yard where he works.
The incident left the 27 year old with a fractured skull and a broken nose. He had to undergo a seven-hour operation at Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, to remove loose chips of bone and fluid lying close to his brain, plus surgery to straighten his nose.
Nine months on, the former Chris Wall employee is back on his feet again and training for a tilt at this year's London Marathon, where he hopes to raise 2,000 for racing charity Racing Welfare.
However, since his initial accident, Martin has encountered several other problems which have held him back from full training until now.
"I was getting back into training using the gym and taking part in spinning classes when I began to feel quite sick near the end of October," said Martin, of Golden Miller Close, Newmarket.
"I thought that I might have pulled a muscle or just been ill.
"After a visit to the doctors, I was rushed to Addenbrooke's Hospital for emergency treatment as my appendix was about to burst."
After having his appendix removed, the Newmarket Jogger then suffered another setback just before Christmas.
"I stubbed my toe while on holiday and it got worse and worse," he said. "I eventually had it looked at and was put in a plaster cast for three weeks after x-rays showed I had damaged the joint capsule on my big toe.
"I've had laser treatment on it and have been referred to a specialist foot clinic. Although it is not 100 per cent healed, I can run on it again."
Last year, Martin, who married his partner Nicole Damon in August, had hoped to complete the 26-mile marathon in under three and a half hours, but this year just hopes to finish.
"I just want to raise as much money as possible for Racing Welfare," he said "Time is not an issue this year. If I have to walk it in 10 hours I will.
"I know at the minute that times are hard but even if people have the odd pound spare, it all helps. Everyone has been so supportive, especially Racing Welfare.
"There have been times when I have been so low but they have given me so much support I just want to repay the thanks."
To sponsor Martin visit www.justgiving.com/Martin-Gear or contact him on 07545128422.
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Saturday 04 February 2012
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