Running with terminal cancer
Last week I wrote I was midway through the gruelling but beautiful Marathon Des Sables ultramarathon, racing hundreds of miles across the Sahara.
I am delighted to say I finished the race for the fourth time with T4 prostate cancer – a first for anyone with any kind of terminal cancer, I believe.
It’s always amazing to see others pushing their own limits during this race. If you’re a reasonable runner the distance each day may not seem too daunting but many have not considered what the sand, pack carrying, dunes, heat and little sleep and food can do.
Many runners on day four – double marathon day – were struggling into the night, collapsing at checkpoints, nursing feet that were severely blistered, or suffering from exhaustion. But they got up and carried on to finish. Their reward for that was the next day’s race – just a single marathon!
This had everyone going over the highest mountains in the area, using ropes to get to the top followed by rocky descents with breathtaking views along the way (if you dared look). I fell three times during the week, finishing with grazed knees, hands and elbows. But the euphoric buzz of finishing made any discomfort worthwhile.
Around 30 did not finish this year but they did not lose – daring to start makes them amazing.
And knowing your limits should not stop you taking on more extreme challenges. It just gives you a better heads-up on how to prepare.
I hope you will have a go at something where success is not guaranteed... like me and my next challenge. I will reveal all shortly.
Until next week.
Many of the runners struggle into the night and collapse at checkpoints