LIVE FOR TODAY
Running with terminal cancer by Kevin Webber
BY the time you read this I will be in the Arctic about to start a 384-mile non-stop race pulling a sledge. It is the 6633 Arctic Ultra and you can keep up to speed, pardon the pun, by looking at 6633ultra.com and following the racers’ tiny dots moving slowly across the screen.
Last year I managed the shorter race – a mere 120 miles! – which was about all I could do. The temperatures regularly hit -50C and I need to be self-sufficient as the 20 or so competitors will be mainly split up after the first day. The event starts on Thursday – at 18.30 UK time – and with a time limit of just under nine days I need to cover about a double marathon every day. Stories of wolves, polar bears and frostbite are usually in my head at some stage each day.
Sometimes that scares the bits off me but, in a way, that’s why I am doing this. I want to prove that if Kev with incurable prostate cancer can put his foot on the start line and give it a go then most people can have a go at something that, to them, may seem impossible. I am also trying to do my bit raising funds for Prostate Cancer UK.
My long-suffering wife Sarah has allowed me to use the front room for final prep – with tent and sledge taking pride of place! She is amazing and allows me to chase my dreams while I can. I know how lucky I am to have her support.
So my message this week is about supporting others be it at home, friends or work colleagues, by encouraging dream chasing and helping in any way to be a part of making that dream come true. In my case, without my wife or oncologist Chris, I would never be there.
Until next week
I’m chasing my dream ...though frostbite, wolves and polar bears could be a nightmare