LIVE FOR TODAY Emotional return to a special event
I don’t run many road marathons. It’s a blend of car exhaust-inhaling, dull road training and then the first question you get asked after you run a marathon is always “How long did it take you?”.
For someone like me, that’s not really important. However, against that backdrop last weekend I did run a road marathon in Brighton.
There is a special reason why, of all the marathons to run, I chose Brighton. And that’s because, eight years ago, it is the one I ran on week 13 of my chemotherapy, when the doctors told me that it should not be done.
At the time I had been told that I may be dead 18 months later because of my incurable prostate cancer, so in my mind I had nothing to lose and everything to gain to show the naysayers what can be possible if you want it enough.
To go back again was quite emotional for me and I had tears in my eyes as I plodded up the final 200 metres to the finish. Those tears however were tears of joy, not only because I have survived much longer than expected but also for the emotion of seeing so many other heroes running with the Prostate Cancer UK shirt on.
I managed to keep up with some for a few miles here and there and they told me stories of lost grandads, uncles, dads, plus a father-inlaw. I hope that hearing my story – and the funds they are raising – gave hope for the future to all the men and their families.
While the highlight for me was what so many were doing selflessly for others, I still loved getting a selfie with DJ legend Fatboy Slim who had turned out to cheer us all on in his hometown, as he did last time I ran the race. Thanks Norman! And if you’re wondering, I actually completed the course faster than I did eight years ago, despite going through chemotherapy, radiotherapy and eight years of cancer drugs.
So, I hope that my little story will inspire you to never use age as an excuse for not doing something.
Brighton is a special race as I did it eight years ago during my chemo