A GYM-GOER who nearly died during a work out has completed the London Marathon just four months later.
Elaine Beauchamp’s life was saved when quick-thinking staff at Nuffield Health in Rugby used a defibrillator after she suffered a heart attack on the rowing machine.
Once she had woken from an induced coma, the 53-year-old was determined to be back to full fitness in time for the marathon.
Jen Johnston, manager at the Leicester Road gym, who helped saved Elaine’s life, said: “‘I’m so proud of Elaine for what she’s achieved.
“I was the duty manager on the day in January when she suffered the cardiac arrest and it’s incredible to think she’s raced at what was the hottest London Marathon ever just a few months later.
“I’ll never forget that day when Elaine collapsed in the gym and we quickly realised that something was seriously wrong. I didn’t have time to be nervous – even though it was the first time we’d ever had to use the defibrillator – as all the staff are trained to use it. Although I do remember the eight minutes or so that it took for the ambulance to arrive feeling like a lifetime.”
Despite now being a gym regular, this was not always the case.
Some years ago, Elaine was a heavy smoker and overweight by more than 16 stone. A picture shocked her into losing over five stone and she embarked on a healthy diet and eating programme which changed her life.
And from doing barely any exercise she became an extreme marathon runner – completing five marathons in five days last year.
The Rugby mum completed the hottest ever London Marathon in six hours, raising money for charity along the way.
Elaine said: “The race was tough but I’m so proud to have raised nearly £1,500 for Action for Children. It’s an amazing charity that I got to know when I volunteered at some of their services when the company I work for, Gap, became a corporate partner of the charity. And Gap is match-funding everything I raise so hopefully my final fundraising total will be a lot more.”
Visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ElaineBeauchamp to donate to Elaine’s cause.
