My run today was, as it has been for the last few weeks, up my favourite hill route, Posbury Hill with stunning views across the wonderful Devon countryside. The winding lane is lined by jagged, savagely hacked grey hedgerows with fresh green spring growth on the sloping fields beyond, then ridge after paler ridge of grey receding hills, merging into the watery white sky, through which the sun is struggling to break. It is different every run and it always lifts my spirits.
It was a tough run, as they all are these days. Unlike the average C25ker, who can actually feel their strength and stamina improving week by week, I am pretty static in my progress at present. The hormone therapy that I have been on since August last year, has robbed me of some muscle mass and that manifests itself in my pace diminishing and legs tiring in a way that I have not known since I started running nearly five years ago. Along with the radiotherapy, my treatments have apparently been successful and all the signs are that my prostate cancer is well under control……...but the hormone therapy continues for another two years. Coming in my early sixties, when the body naturally goes into a physical decline, this is a double whammy and I have to work hard just to stand still.
The cancer, or at least its treatment, may have diminished me physically, but I can honestly say that in spirit, if not spiritually, it has been a gift. I have had lows, but I have counted my blessings and good fortune. I have met individuals who have inspired me and whose lust for life has made it impossible for me to feel sorry for myself. I am grateful for every day and for every run. Life is good. Life goes on.
Two of those inspirational characters were on my mind today. Mike, who I was on a ward with, who has had prostate cancer for nine years and is paralysed from the waist down, but one of the most upbeat and determined individuals I have ever met. His target was to make ten years with prostate cancer…….he knows it is not going away.
The other person I was thinking about was the very wonderful PetrinaB , who I accompanied on her W9R2 run just four months ago healthunlocked.com/couchto5..... Today she is running her first half marathon, although she has done the distance twice already.
Apart from both being irrepressibly determined, they both have targets and both will do all in their power to achieve them. I set myself a half marathon distance target for this year, although it seems impossibly distant on my present performance. I have gone from cutting quite a dash striding across the countryside (well, in my mind, if not in anybody else’s eyes) to being one of those comical shuffling little old men, of whom one used to think “Why does he bother?”
My answer is that “I am not giving in peacefully!” I will rage against the dying of the light. I will run for an hour again. I will run ten miles again. With that I am realistic, I will probably never match the pace that I had prior to cancer, but that does not matter, as long as I can run.
Run because you can. Do not take it for granted.
Keep running, keep smiling.
Written by
IannodaTruffe
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Thank you. That's beautiful and inspiring. I've been feeling frustrated that I have not made more progress but this helps me remember we're all just going at our own pace, and just getting out there is an achievement in itself.
My hormone treatment has sapped my energy and nobbled my joints, but running makes me feel better in my head.
We may be envious of those striding out in a manner in which we can only dream of, but what is really important is our own personal development and progression, not comparison with others.
Wonderful post, thank you Tim. So glad to hear that your treatments appear to have been successful. Even difficult times can teach us lessons, and kudos to you to be able to see those. And for continuing to run throughout. Whatever the pace, it will be doing both your mind and body some good, without a doubt.
Am going to throw this back at you - keep running, keep smiling. I always smile when you say this to me. 😀
What a wonderful post I love your description of your run, I could have been out there with you!
You are a true inspiration and a great support to all us newbie runners.
Cancer is a bu.... and it certainly puts all the little Day to Day hassles into perspective but we all need reminding from time to time to be grateful for what we have not what we don't.
Written with gravitas as always. You are more inspiring to us on this forum than I believe you will ever realise. Always generous with warm advice to others.
Well done on your runs. Speed is one thing, but a run, as you well know is so much more than times beaten and distances conquered. It is the opportunity to leave all behind and truly be free, just for a while.
Glad to see you are still running and still smiling 😀
Wow. Wonderful post. People throw phrases like “inspiring” around too easily in my opinion. But for you, it’s truly well deserved. You must be so relieved that you found running before cancer found you! That way you were already physically strong/fit and in a good place to kick cancer out of the park.
Thankyou for your wise words on this site. You help people more than you realise. Take care and happy running: “keep running keep smiling “❤️
I wrote a post, soon after diagnosis, hoping that the running would help me through and it certainly has, both in giving me fitness to face the treatment and as a distraction and now a target for the future.
Hi Tim, its good to know your spirit and positivity are still so strong, and have carried you through your treatments and out the other side, with a successful outcome.
I do not doubt that you will continue to enjoy your running, and although that hormone therapy is sapping your strength your willpower will win out, and you will reach your target of a HM at some point, and enjoy getting there.😊
Always generous, and thinking of others, you mention PetrinaB running her HM today, she hasn't posted for a couple of months and it's good to hear she made the distance and is acheiving her goal.😊
You continue to inspire and support this forum and keep running, keep smiling.
I too am a Big C survivor and am now in remission. I used to jog before getting ill (never fast) but I could do 2 to 3 miles 3x a week. Now after all the treatments and hormone therapy I'm still on it is a challenge to get back at it again. However for me I feel that I am getting some 'control' back and it makes me feel strong. At the moment I can only jog for a few minutes (just started doing week 4 again) and I am soooo slow and it hurts as now have arthritis into the mix but I don't want to give up. Even the little bit that I am doing at the moment helps to make me feel strong again and it really helps to keep anxiety and stress at bay as well.
All the best for your half marathon target. I am sure you will do it as you sound very determined.
Never give up in anything!
I shall get back onto Run 2, week 4 later on now, no excuses.
That control aspect has been crucial to me, mentally. Doing whatever you can to feel you are maximising your chances of survival and also living as full a life as possible, has to be the way forward.
It hasn't felt like a fight to be honest, because I have been fortunate enough not to suffer many irreversible side effects..........but one has to kick butt on occasions.
A beautiful and inspirational post. Life can be unfair and should I suffer such misfortune, I can only hope that I can reframe it in the positive way you have and do and also see it as the blessing it has become. The low times must be overwhelming at times but the strength you show in bouncing back is admirable, even though I see that your character is not one that seeks admiration but one that pulls up its boot straps and gets on with it.
As you know better than most, in reality, whilst we would all like to avoid awful situations, we see from our experiences, that they can bring the best out of us and make us more appreciative of the wonderful world around us. I'm very pleased that your treatments seem successful and that you have a bright future ahead, Life. I often take life for granted and needed to see this particularly today, when I've made a fuss about the smallest thing! I very much appreciate your candour. Thank you so much for sharing a very personal story. Wishing you good luck with your journey.
I will try to keep running, I will try to keep smiling.
I was born in 1955, the first year that the UN gathered worldwide data on life expectancy and health outcomes............... I cannot look at that information and see myself as anything other than a hugely fortunate individual, who was born into a privileged society............ unfairness does not come into my situation......... I am a very lucky man.
That's such great news about the treatment IT and the fact you're still running and still doing your fabulous bit here is testament to your strength of character and pure guts.
You clearly adore your running and as we always say here, it doesn't matter what speed we're doing it as long as we're doing it.
I agree with poppypug . You've always been the guru and godfather of this forum and such a brilliant role model for all of us, never more so than now.
PetrinaB I was going to wish you luck but you've probably finished now! I'll look out for your post 🙂
Thank you for this IT. As always your example is a true inspiration to be thankful for the runs. To keep smiling. You live by this and now so do we thanks to you. Your advice has been invaluable. I wish you all the energy you need to continue to make your goals.
Thank you for taking me on your run. It was wonderful. Your positivity is infectious and serves as a reminder that life is what we make of it. Thank you.
A lovely descriptive post of the Devon countryside I felt like I was there. Brilliant news about your successful treatment and to run 10 miles however slow sounds amazing to me 😊
Well I was one of those comical shuffling little old men not three months ago! but thanks to c25k this forum and especially advice from you, I think i may have graduated to apprentice dash cutting strider (as you say this is mainly an in my head only sort of thing).
I read your link to PetrinaB and your profile a few weeks ago, I went to the doctors and got my prostate checked (all clear). I hope that it will encourage a lot of others to get checked as well.
What an inspiring, beautifully written and very personal post.
Very moving together with the empathetic replies.
It is a privilege to know some of your story on this C25k programme as Mentor and although I cannot empathise with your medical challenge, your many, many qualities shine out.🌟
I do appreciate the enormity of your contribution to this forum, as all acknowledge, and I am cheering with everyone for many, many, more miles from you.👏👏
I visited the, heart centred rebalancing,Tumblr, to try and find appropriare words that conjure up my image of you and your contribution and personal spirit , courage and your belief.🌟
Well there are so many that are so fitting,🤔
I am a free spirit either admire me from the ground or fly with me,💫
but don't ever try to cage me.💫
Thank you Mentor IannodaTruffe 👏👏.
I love your story to Bluebirdrunner explaining that your Christian name is Tim and not Ian and also how you shortened your Surname by two letters.🤔😂😂
Your reply and humility, while encouraging the programme discipline, as you described yourself as a party pooper 🙈 to someone, Jude I think, that had an euphoric running flight.🤔😂😂
Thank you so much for sharing your experience. Indeed, we should never take things for granted, especially not when it concerns our bodies and health. However, the joy of running is always there. So keep on running enjoying the beautiful outdoors, the best way to get through that hormone therapy. We'll be there to cheer you along the way!
That sounds a beautiful run. Cancer taught me not to sweat the small stuff- my hormone therapy has got another 4 years to go ( 10 in total), but I’m still here, treading in the footsteps of those who are not.
Your advice to all us newbies is inspiring and I do always smile when you tell me to! (and I’ve learnt your name is Tim, not that long winded moniker!)
Look forward to hearing the miles are going up and you’re still smiling 😁😁
I was just coming to see how you are doing, and here you are running as ever, making the very best of things... I have met a number of gents with prostate cancer over my own recent journey, no two are alike, in symptoms or in the way they deal with their treatment.
I recognise that "why do they bother" look- we bother because we still can. All the best for your HM target, I'm sure you'll crack it.
My exact reason for starting running for the first time in my life was because, at 55, I realised I was still healthy and had been lucky enough to have had no major health problems in my life so far. I realise that, at this age, I should go out and do things whilst I can. I count my blessings all the time and your positivity is the key to happiness. Thankyou for your post.
It is great to be part of this team and this community because we all help one another through.
Thank you, Hil.
xx
Tim it is brilliant to read your spirit shining through. I am pretty certain you are still cutting a dash even in your shuffles.
The outside skin is merely a wrapper and is no reflection on who or what you are. You are a runner, a fab runner and always will be an inspirational runner to me and many others here.
And go you; you already know how to amaze yourself so we know you'll do it again! Maybe the things that are amazing have changed but they still are amazing and so are you... keep running, keep smiling! Xxx
Today my love I can barely make it down the stairs!
I am glad to hear that treatment is going well, I often wonder about your progress. If any one can beat this whilst running (and smiling) it has to be you. The body may be a bit battered but boy is the spirit strong! We are all running alongside you and we will all triumph together.
So pleased to hear that your treatment is going well. Running is indeed a balm for the spirit and a source of joy, whether we're fast or slow, trying for a PB or settling in for a long run on a spring morning.
I don't come on here very often these days but reading your post has made me realise just what I'm missing: not just the beautiful and evocative descriptions of where people run but also the support, kindness and inspiration to be found here.
I wish you health, strength and continuing joy in your running, Tim. We none of us know what's round the corner, so to run whilst we can is probably the best advice of all. I have no doubt that you'll achieve your HM - running's in your soul.
Hi AM, good to see you here. This truly is a special place and there is nowhere else that I would write such stuff, but I know that it will be received in the spirit in which it was written, which is definitely cathartic and hopefully helpful at the same time.
.......... I can't wait for the offroad to dry a bit!!
It’s amazing how this morning words from a complete stranger to me gave me some motivation. Now having read your posts I feel more than a little humbled, but also determined to act and take one step at a time, not compare and give up before I even start. Very best wishes to you.
I've not been on here much recently Tim but am so glad that I have caught up with how things are going for you. You continue to inspire others with your positivity and determination and it is just fantastic that you are still out there running. The ebb and flow of life means we do have to adjust those goals but to run when we can is everything to so many of us on here. As you say - keep running, keep smiling. x🙂
Thanks for your thoughts Sandra. Good to see you here. I sincerely do not think that I would be in quite the same place, either physically or mentally, if it were not for running, and in particular this forum.
Bloody hell IannodaTruffe that had me welling up! What an inspiring post. I am a super slow runner though I am fit and healthy and your post makes me realise that we are all running our own races, in our own time. Just being able to do it is a blessing to start with. Keep on running and inspiring people
My Dad always told me “there’s always someone worse off” which I think gave me the blessing of never taking things for granted.
I also work with special needs Children and seeing what they can achieve with the barriers and challenges they are dealt gives me hope that we truly can achieve anything we set our minds too!
Stay positive and determined and it will see you through the hard times 😊
Don’t wait for the storm to blow over... learn to enjoy dancing in the rain 👌🏼
Hi IannodaTruffe , I've just come across your posts for the first time. I'm not even sure what to say but I'm sitting in a shipyard in Finland feeling so moved by your experiences. I'm thrilled to hear your treatment is going so well. I just started running last month. I'm on W6R2 tonight. Thank you so much for sharing your story. And you don't look at all like a "comical shuffling little old man" to anyone here. 😊🙏🏼 Vanessa
You are a true inspiration and your description of the countryside you run through is so beautiful [akin to the wonderful way Gerald Durrell describes all things in nature] I thought I was running through that countryside myself.
Inspirational! Came across your post by accident and so pleased I did. Such a message of hope and beautifully written. Wishing you well for the future.
I’m only on wk4 c25k but after reading this there is no good reason not to complete the programme.
Hi Ian, I joined the prog 4 weeks ago. You were kind enough to reply to 2 of my posts so I started following you. Just read your posts on ur page.
Just wanted to say how incredible you are. Such positivity and determination. How r u doing now? Has the cancer done? Are you all clear? Sending some well wishes your way. Keep posting, look forward to reading about you. Sabena
well I read this about 2 years after you posted this. I just graduated this week and your commitment and participation of getting the facts and answers out to all of us new runners has been a tremendous help. Did not know what you have been going through. I am so thankful to your commitment to us on the forum as well as your commitment to yourself and running. I hope and pray you have finished your treatment and all is well as 2 years have past and would love to hear how you are doing with the 1/2 marathon. I have not seen all the post so I apologize if it is already posted and I will find and read it if it is. So Thank you so much with all you have done and continue to do. You are an inspiration to all us runners.
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Fish, chips and mushy peas!
Hello all - 71 years old and hoping to run!
