BACK IN ACTION
A year ago, I was admitted to hospital with a collapsed lung and a blood disorder. After three chest operations, I went home to a patient wife, who had to put up with me moaning because I couldn’t run. But I decided to target my local half marathon, Pontefract, and, with encouragement from my club, Ackworth Road Runners, I set off. On the start line, I told a friend I’d never taken more than two hours to run a half marathon, but today I would be happy just to get around. In the end, I finished in 1:59:07. I am now preparing to fly to Spain for the half marathon I missed last year and am determined to get to Malta for this year’s race, although I will be running the half, not the full marathon. So, at the age of only 68, this reinforces my mantra, ‘Do what you can, while you can.’
Martyn Stearn, Ackworth
Martyn, we doff our cap in your direction. You are an inspiration to runners, of every age and level of experience. Good luck at the Malta Half Marathon – another sub-two time awaits, we are sure.