Websites, film-makers musicians & more

In order for me to get my leg right I have had a period of daily acupuncture following more scans, physio, consultants appointments, and gym work than I care to remember but finally it seems ok now (almost) so I need to start trail training again. Its only 91 days to go until the start of the Artic Ultra in the Yukon, o I will need to be careful as to how much I push myself and just accept that I wont be as fit as I wanted which of course increases the chance of failing to finish but never failing to start!

I have managed to be out and about though and tyre dragging seems to be getting easier. You may recall that I asked suggestions for a name and my wife chose “Husky” from the entrants (mainly as most were too rude!!), attached is a picture of me and said tyre.

On the cancer front, I have had two blood tests since I last wrote, the results yesterday showed a slight deterioration but not enough to change the cancer drugs  for now. The results were followed by having a drip of a drug designed to counteract the bone weakening that the other drugs cause. Its not a nice experience but a necessary evil, today I am starting the side effects of a flu like feeling, it will pass though, well it did last time!

The last 6 weeks have also been a sad reminder just how precious life is as another two of my prostate cancer internet acquaintances died of the disease and more close to home a good ex work colleague Phil sadly lost his battle with cancer aged just 59. These sad deaths made me think perhaps more than most about our short time here but equally makes me more determined to live my life as full on as I can every day.

A couple of months ago I was approached by a film maker (Richard Alexander), to see if I would be interested in making a documentary about my story. Whilst I still don’t see my situation as that interesting I immediately saw an opportunity to perhaps inspire others to “make the most of it” whilst raising awareness of prostate cancer and leave some memories for others.  I have spent some time filming and have also been introduced to a songwriter and music producer (John O'Halloran) who had written a song following his own cancer scare.  The song is called “Warrior” and he wanted me to have it as he feels that I can perhaps do something good with it. We changed a few words ever so slightly to make it more appropriate for my situation and it is close to being finished with an accompanying video. There is a very rough mock up out there already but it is nothing like the finished package will be... Richard has also been working with me on a new personal facebook page and personal website. The phrase that has driven us is  “Make the most of it” as I have realised in the last few years that so many people go through much of their life unhappy or not achieving the potential of themselves or even just the day. If I encourage just a few people have a better life it will be worth it.

RBS continue to support me so well, I have been able to talk about running/cancer/never giving up to 100s’s more people from bankers in  Jersey to students in Halifax recently, it makes the time I spend seem so worthwhile. At the same time so many colleagues have been organising events to raise funds for Prostate Cancer UK around the country, most humbling for me but important to the vital work that the charity carries out.

On the back of the fund raising that I and many others have done inspired by me, I was nominated as “The Charities Aid Foundation Charity fund raiser of the year” by a colleague who hardly knows me and unbelievably I won the award. I am so grateful just to have been nominated as that meant so much to me but at the same time by wining has also given the charity a welcome boost. It does of course beg the question of us all, when did we last nominate or thank someone for doing what we think is something good (big or small) and if not then could we? Do you think that person would feel better for it? So what’s stopping us? I realise that sometimes just “being noticed” in a positive way can change a day/week/month/year/lifetime for someone and help them make the most of what the future brings.

I said last time about racing across the Arctic in March followed by racing across the Sahara two weeks later plus a few other races but I also want to do more events with Prostate Cancer UK in 2018 and encourage many more to join in so I hope that some of you will think about joining me or doing your own thing in 2018. I will come out with some suggested events with my next note in January as I know that there are more football walks and fathers day marches planned together with some quite amazing cycling events (I wont be doing those as cycling is not my thing (yet!) but if it is yours then email me and I can send details). I also talked before about a world record attempt. It has become clear that the training for the (secret) record would not complement my running so it is shelved until the latter part of 2018 which is a shame but the right choice.

Back with the running, I am now gearing up properly for the cold and have a weekend away in Brecon with Likeys, the race organisers to tell me amongst other things about survival in extreme cold, how to pull a sledge properly and bring the various forms of wildlife I may encounter in the Arctic to my attention!!

As ever, if you would like to and are able to support my fund raising efforts for Prostate Cancer UK then please visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/kevin-webber6 thank you to those who already have for my 2018 challenge.

That’s it for another year, you know I now reflect on every day as it ends, to make sure that I have done some good, enjoyed the day and hurt no one in the process as far as I can. I hope that you all reflect on 2017 and if you see anything that you are not proud of then as a minimum don’t repeat it again and in 2018 live some dreams and love something every day because that is what days are for.

Thank you for your continued support, it means so much to me.
Kev