Things Started Well Enough

So Sunday started well enough, I was running comfortably sub 4 hour pace for 9 miles and then my right knee went. The more I ran the more painful it became so I hobbled the last 17 miles. What got me through? Well my mate Jim ran along side me the whole way, I know he could have broken 4 hours easily so am grateful for his sacrifice. My family popped up at various stages including my Bro in law who flew in from Canada just to support me and his sister (my wife!) who ran her first ever 10k race just before me in 1-09. Many friends and guys from work who appeared everywhere and believe me kept me going as I was not prepared to let any of them see me walking and I never knew when I would see them again.

You read about digging deep, I don't think I have ever dug so deep as I did in the last hour but the support, the money I was raising, the fear of letting anyone down and the fact that I wanted to show other sufferers of this dreadful disease that despite everything sometimes you can do things if you don't give up no matter how hard it is.

I know from the Prostate Cancer forum that there are 100s of people in their own way doing their own "marathons" every day in their own way struggling for sometimes the most basic of needs, what they do is way beyond what I achieved Sunday. They also frequently have the support of friends and family getting them through each day just like me yesterday, they are the real heroes but get no praise for what they do. The forum is provided by the charity and is another way they help sufferers and their families.

Crossing the line at the end with Jim and Craig, a guy we met on the last few miles of the course running for the same cause as his Dad had died with the disease was such an emotional moment for me, I hope they got a great picture of the three of us crossing the line together it felt awesome.

The biggest achievement however is raising over £20,000 inc gift aid for Prostate Cancer UK, I know that will make a significant difference to them and in turn will raise awareness and help them work to find a cure.

So today physically I feel a bit stiff but generally not that bad (other than the now usual chemo/cancer yuk) , my knee feels fine. I have already entered the same race for 2016 however I need to find something bigger that that so watch this space............

I guess that leaves me to say no more than thanks to everyone who has supported me in any way, I will let you know what I decide to do next in due course, sorry if this email has rambled a bit, off for my next chemo session today now though, it never appears to end :-(
Kev