A COUPLE who lost 13 stone to undergo fertility treatment are keeping on running to help others.
Stuart and Jane Kocan-Payne from Stratford found a new love for running as they shed the pounds to make them eligible for IVF treatment.
But after suffering two miscarriages and running out of money for treatment, the pair saw their weight start to creep back on as they struggled to deal with the mental and physical toll.
And it was running that helped them through and the couple are now preparing to take on their first full marathon.
Stuart, a 44-year-old transport manager at Warwickshire County Council, said: “We continued as best we could with exercise classes and going on runs but nothing really helped.
“Then we just woke up one day and realised we had to find a focus like before. We figured as we had done a couple of half marathons the next logical, and probably idiotic, step was a full marathon.
“We entered the ballot for the London Marathon but sadly missed out due to the sheer number of entrants. Then the Brighton Marathon opened their ballot for anyone who had not been successful. We are also planning to take part in the Great North Run.”
The pair have been training by running around 20 miles a week and taking part in gruelling gym classes and workouts.
They have also chosen to run for charities close to their heart, with Stuart running in aid of the Infertility Network Charity and 34-year-old Jane running for Tommy’s – a charity supporting those who have suffered miscarriage and stillbirth.
Jane, who is an IT analyst at Warwick District Council, said: “One of the hardest parts of miscarriage is not knowing why it happened to you. I constantly questioned whether I did something wrong, or if there was anything I could have done to prevent it happening, and I’m still worried that it might happen again. Tommy’s are committed to finding answers to these questions so people don’t have to go through this horrific ordeal in the future.
“I will be running in memory of our two little ones that lost their way. I know it will be a long and difficult journey to get me across the finish line so please sponsor me – I can’t tell you how much it will help to know that my hard work hasn’t been wasted, and that because of something I did, others may not have to suffer the way that we did.”
Visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/janekocanpayne to donate.
