On 3rd of October last year, Floss asked me if I would like to run the Monsal Trail event with her in April. The 10k🤔? I asked, or maybe the HM? said Floss... Definately the 10k for me, I laughed, and we entered.Shortly after this, around Mr BBr's 67th birthday, we were reeling. Having suspicions that something was amiss, Mr BBr went for a Prostate examination and had a PSA blood test as the doctor was concerned. The PSA reading was high and we were thrust into a whirlwind of further tests, scans and more scans. Our world was rocked.
This was all around the time when our lovely mentor llannodatruffe was losing his long battle with Prostate cancer.
The scans indicated that the cancer was contained, so the best treatment and probable cure for Mr BBr was surgery to remove the prostate. He had this on 17th of December. His recovery has gone very well. Life is almost back to normal again after months of stress and worry.
On 20th March we recieved the result of his first post-op PSA test, it showed zero cancer cells detected. You can imagine how relieved we are.
My running had been off the table in the months up to Christmas, but I began training with fingers crossed, around the end of January. Starting from wk1 of c25k. In February we booked accomodation near Bakewell for our little family to enjoy the event and a little holiday. Hoping that all would be well.
My training was going well, running and walking with Mr BBr. I knew there was no time to embark on the Magic10 plan, so trusted that jeffing would work. The longest run I had done was just under 7k using this method, with plenty of extra walking as a cool down.
So, with the good news still fresh in our ears, we set off for Derbyshire. Floss has known about this and has been lending me a shoulder to lean on and have a little cry on. It was actually going to happen!
I found out that Linda, Tailchaser, Katnap, Dexy, UTS and of course Kitten Sam were going to be running there too just days before, and my excitement grew more.
A chance to run with Floss is something I have longed for for years, and at last it would happen. Never mind that neither of us were prepared enough, just having that hug, and a chance to meet face to face again and chatter freely, whilst doing the thing we both love, a slow and steady run was priceless.
The running just happened, we crossed the finish line together holding hands and hugged again. I was almost in tears as the Marshall placed the medal around my neck.
Yes this was about running, but it was also absolutely 'not' about running.
So much has happened these last months. I am thankful that we made it through.
I loved meeting forum friends I have known for ages. Best of all I loved that Floss and I had our run together at long last. We smiled and kept running.
Mustn't forget to mention Lexi6 who ran with us virtually who has been holding my hand too.
🏃♀️💜🏃♀️xxx
Prostate cancer effects many men, it is curable if caught quickly. Please be aware and have checkups.
Written by
Bluebirdrunner
Graduate10
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Wow! What a whirlwind you and Mr BBR have been through but I am ecstatic that his results were good. Congrats on your first official medal and getting to run it with the dear OldFloss, in addition to meeting up with many forum friends.
Hi Ian, yes thank you it was the best one! Floss is so kind and supportive of everyone an absolute star. I feel very lucky to count her as a friend.You never know what is around the corner do you. So pleased that you are recovering well from your scary experience. We have a lot to thank the dedicated health service for. 🙏
So, so sorry to hear what you and your family have all been going through, but delighted to hear you have all come through it and been able to revel in such a wonderful weekend. You are one strong and resilient runner BBR- keep running and do keep smiling 🥰
Thank you Linda, life throws us all curved balls doesn't it, we were lucky that his operation has been successful.🤞Counting our blessings, aware that not everyones troubles have a happy outcome.
This run was very special, I wasn't sure if it would happen. So good to be part of such a great get together.
So glad in so many ways. Congratulations on the run getting it done with Floss must have been great ... and so good to hear that the waiting for Mr BBR has turned up good news.
Thank you Richard, waiting for news has not been easy.Floss is such a tonic, we were relaxed and happy (no headphones required) making the most of our time together.
What a lovely medal and it sounds as though you had a smashing time with your VRBs and family! I have a vision of you and OF chatting and running, putting the world to rights and just enjoying the moment. I’m sorry you and your husband have had such a stressful time, and I can only imagine your relief in March. Well done Bluebirdrunner 🤩🤩🤩.
We did Frenc 🤣 how did you guess!This run had been a long time in the planning, we were going to do it, and knew our forum friends would be with us in spirit cheering us on.
It was MissUnderstanding, thank you. Floss mentioned that you were running a HM and we were rooting for you. Sorry to read that you had to stop, very sensibly, don't forget you ran the first 16k amazingly before retiring hurt.I will have a read of your run report.
Thank you so much! With a few days distance, I’m feeling positive about it all. I’ve been out for a short walk this evening in the sunset and now I’ve got exercises and a plan, I can see a way back to running. All these challenges make us stronger. Really appreciate your kind words ❤️❤️❤️
What a hard time you've all been through. I understand how emotionally draining the process is as I went with my dad to every scan and chemo session. Glad your news is positive. Sending you lots of love ❤️
Thank you Jell, counting our blessings that the surgery was enough in his case. Regular monitering will follow. We are so grateful to our Nhs support team.
What an absolute rollercoaster of worry, fear and anxiety you must have been through, I’m so glad to hear the latest results from Mr BBR’s scan. Must be a huge relief for you both.
It’s lovely you got to meet and run with OF and meet up with other HU running buds. It sounds like a perfect slow and steady run all the way through the finish line 🏁 well done to you all 👏🏻🏃🏽♀️
Thank you Dendev, it did pull the rug from under us. Its been a long 6 months, and we are just beginning to feel like we are out on the other side now.I was slow, probably holding Floss back, but she never let on.😉 It was Floss that made us sprint for the line (not such a grey snail 😏)
Wow, you've really been through the mill. But fantastic news about Mr BBR and what an amazing run and experience with the lovely Oldfloss and so many other HU VRBs. Very well done! 👏 🤗🙌
Your secret was kept very safe with your good friend. It seems that Oldfloss was the only person who knew exactly who was going to be there. 😂😂 Although I did not know about your husband and his cancer, I knew that you had stepped back from running and HU, but it was good to see you were watching us in the background.
I am so pleased that your husband’s treatment has been successful. My brother in law was diagnosed with this in 2020, and thankfully had all his treatment just before the pandemic. Fingers crossed that the tests continue to be negative.
It was so lovely to meet you and I hope you will be able to get out and about in your running shoes a bit more now and let us know how you are getting on. Wear that medal with pride, you deserve it.
Thank you Dexy5 it was so good to meet you. You will know how hard it is carrying this kind of diagnosis, not feeling able to tell people, fearing the worst. Floss and Lexi have been there for me to lean on.
I have enjoyed my training runs very much and felt no pressure to 'do well' on Sunday, just to finish would be enough.
We saw you running off ahead of us, you looked wonderful, and you were there to greet us at the finish smiling and cheering.
I will keep running and smiling I promise, I would like to return next year for a PB!😉
Thank you very much backintime yes we were glad to be able to use the trip as a little celebration.Sunday was such a special day, my nerves disappeared as soon as I met up with Floss. We were a happy, and triumphant group at the end too!
What a journey you've had but so glad you had good news. That is a wonderful medal that will hold such special memories. A lovely race report BBR - congratulations and here's to special friends 😀
Thank you Cowladyrunning, I will treasure it along with my memory of that day.Congratulations to you for your Forest of Dean HM run! I hope you had the perfect weather we had. I will take a look for your run report. x
We are both lone runners, and live so far apart, when you suggested this event it was an ideal solution.
The examination results were a shock, and things went into motion very quickly, sweeping us along with lots to read and think about.
Having this run booked gave me a bit of focus, something to work towards and look forward to. With just a bit of not quite believing it would happen.
You have your own challenges to manage, difficult at times, and then having that Covid knocking you back at Christmas and lingering.
We both got there though, and for a while it was just us, on one of your wonderfully described trail runs at one with nature and simply running together. Perfect!
The medal is a bonus, meeting the forum friends an extra bonus, OUR 10k is a memory to treasure.
(I think you would have won first in your age group if not for me holding you back)x
Whoop whoop BBR 🏃♀️🌟👍👏 well done for a fab run and crossing the finish line. That medal was worth waiting for. It’s a beauty!And the trail sounds such a gorgeous run, you choose well for your first medal race!
I can imagine how special the whole day was and the thought of you and Floss crossing the finish line holding hands makes me smile.
You deserve all the joy the day brought, especially after the worrying time you’ve been through. I’m so glad that Mr BBR had good news, such a relief.
Enjoy your achievement and be proud 😍
Now, the question is, are you going to enter next year? 🙂 xxx
It was rather special your Maj 😊, the first time we met was at the same venue, Floss was running her first HM and I went to support. Sandie1961 was there with me too.
This time we would run together, a distance that was still a challenge, but one we could enjoy and have fun on.
It was actually over a bit too soon, but then Floss had us sprinting for the line and I thought I had nothing left... You do she cried!
The extra few days holiday were super too. We hired bicycles along the Monsal trail, going through all three tunnels up past the viaduct to the first mill. Little grandson enjoying himself in a trailer pulled by grandad.
So we saw some of the route the HM'ers ran (tough work guys!)
I could be putting my name down for the 10k again yes!
Thank you for your good wishes for Mr BBr, its nice not to have that constant worry there now.
So glad your husband has had a positive result BBR. An anxious time for you all I’m sure. You’ve come out the other side a stronger family. Congrats on your run too. Wear your medal with pride (especially that emotional one!!) 🏅
So sorry to hear what a difficult time you have had over the last few months, but very glad that Mr BBR has had such a positive outcome. That 10k sounds exactly what you needed and it was obviously a very special day. Wear your medal with pride. You have very much earned it xxx
Oh blue, I've been waiting to read your monsal post, it's wonderful. Mr grumpy is a little further down the road from Mr bbr. He had a prostatectomy in late 2021 and at first was truly miserable in recovery as he is normally really fit and healthy. Glad to say he's just had his latest PSA results back and it's still good, so on to 6 monthly checkups now. And he has totally recovered his fitness, out on runs,bike rides, you name it. I remember how normal life just disappeared in the rounds of diagnostics, operations, follow-ups. Just wanted to let people know that it does get better, and guys, go get yourselves checked out. Don't wait for symptoms. Mr grumpy got picked up in a routine health check offered through his work.
That is so good to hear grumpyoldgirl , when going through things like this you feel quite frightened and alone, knowing others have overcome similar challenges is so helpful. I hope Mr Grumpy continues to stay clear and fit and healthy.
Fantastic that all is well and full health returned again to your hubby and very well done on your run. What a gorgeous medal. One definitely to be hung up in pride of place.
Gosh, you have been through so much Bluebirdrunner and I’m so pleased to read that your husbands recent results were so good. That break in Bakewell must have been special - especially the chance to meet up with so many VRB’s. Well done to all the HU crew who ran but of course a huge well done to you BBR! 🙂🏅🏃♀️
Thank you very much Sandra, we really enjoyed ourselves. We hired bicycles and rode along the Monsal Trail too which was a hoot! Still smiling about that run, and maybe thinking about a reprise!
oh bless you, what a horrible time you have both had, glad to hear things are on the up for you now🙏. Congratulations on your first medal, its good feeling isn't it!?!🏅
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