Doctor's 'special' handshakes & more

So a long awaited blog style update on my running and health, apologies if you have seen some of this before on another medium but I just wanted to give you my ”running year end” update as many have asked me to.

Since completing the Marathon Des Sables in April my health has kind of been ok. The wonder drugs are still doing their stuff and holding the cancer at bay for now, apparently they work for 18 months on average and I am 8 months in, lets hope I am above average in this one!  That said, I get incredible hot flushes many times through the day and night, feel nauseous much of the time,  get about 3 hours sleep a night and  find it very hard to concentrate or think straight for much of the day but that lot is a small price to pay for being  here, spending time with my family/ friends and able to run.

So I keep taking drugs every morning and evening , have a 3 monthly stomach implant and now also have acupuncture to help with the hot flushes. I have also started on traditional Chinese medicine which I feel much better for, it appears to have sorted out the collateral damage from radiotherapy which of course has the added benefit of meaning that part of my body is (currently) mine and mine alone! Its been ages since a doctors “special handshake” which is good news. My thanks to everyone at the Royal Marsden hospital who have been only first rate with me since my initial diagnosis, I wont embarrass my oncologist by naming him but he has done so much for me in a compassionate way.

September has seen my daughter start university, my eldest son start college and my youngest son start high school, I feel so lucky that I have been here to witness those steps for them all, I hope I am still here to see them graduate. My wife remains as ever my rock.

So with the above in mind and a desire to be around for as long as I can by beating every negative health average I have done my best to stay fit and in fact get fitter, running remains the one thing I can do that makes all of the afore mentioned symptoms disappear, no idea why or how but long may that continue.  

Whilst training is great I have realised that trail races are what makes me really come alive as the preparation, the challenge, the scenery and the wonderful people I meet along the way just helps me escape from my reality more.

In August I ran a 54k race in Hampshire, fantastic scenery around the country side plus met more inspiring people, in particular an ex-para who has seen more than any human should being out in Bosnia, Iraq (twice) and Afghanistan. Whilst physically he is well enough things understandably have got inside his head over the 28 years he served that I guess will never really get out, I am not sure that we support those guys enough after their service?

Last Sunday I ran in a race over 40 miles from Haselmere to Dorking, all off road, brutal hills with over 4,000 ft of ascent and descent, somewhat sore now but as ever just elated to be there and able to complete such a challenge, more great people along the way. I am not sure what it is about Ultra marathons opposed to shorter distances but everyone just seems happy to be there, smiles and high 5s all round.

My employer, RBS/Nat West continue to be absolutely fantastic with me, I could not ask for more from anyone there, I guess I am lucky my loyalty of 35 years is being rewarded with similar from them but I know that they don’t have to. Everyone is so supportive of my situation and I am given the time I need to stay healthy with no pressure from anyone.

Due to works generosity I have been able to do much more with Prostate Cancer UK and the charity have me making presentations (I never thought I would volunteer for public speaking but now I do), take part on committees and be part of their fund raising plans for this and next year. The people there are so committed to fighting Prostate Cancer and lovely with it, many have become essential support friends to me now. The money that I have raised through so many peoples generous support is making a huge difference.

The current plans with the charity include a programme on the BBC, being the cover photo with my story for a mailshot to 650,000 UK households, doing some more crazy races in 2017 and first delivering a presentation to around 600 people, little of that could be achieved without my employers help, if only the Big C inside me was not trying to kill me life would be almost perfect right now.

So that’s it for this update, I will send another one early November when I launch my running year (November to October) outline my running plans for 2017 (if you thought I did a bit this year just wait until you hear whats in store for next , health allowing) and will write about why a date in November will have special meaning for me.

One final note, thanks again for your support  no matter how big or small over the last 22 months believe me every little bit helps some times when I am feeling low. As ever, feel free to share this with whoever you wish.

Have a great October, I for one absolutely intend to.
Kev