Back in the game

[Exbox]

I'm writing this just to share my story , and hope something in it will inspire others.

I started running a couple of years ago , did C25K on a treadmill because I didn't want to be seen running outside . My running style is shocking - a very straight legged jog ! I then took the plunge and went to my local parkrun and found an amazing local running group and with them progressed to doing 10ks . I then had a crazy moment and got a place in last year's Great North Run .

All my plans came to a shuddering halt when in March I was diagnosed with bowel cancer . I went through a range of emotions - shock , denial and mostly anger that this could happen to me at a time when I was feeling so fit and well and had such big plans - but as the advert says ' cancer doesn't care about you'

I had an operation followed by a course of radiotherapy and chemotherapy to shrink the tumour and then another operation in October to remove it and repair damage that was done . My surgeon called it 'big game surgery ' - it was major abdominal surgery and lasted 8 hours . It was expected that I would need a course of intravenous chemotherapy but in December I was given the news that I didn't need any more treatment !

After weeks of slowly building up my walking , now managing 5k a day with the dog , I have also started couch again . Right back at the beginning and currently on week 2 run 2 . I have also returned to parkrun as a volunteer and last week I tailwalked which meant I was credited with completing the course .

I am sorry that this is a long post but my message is

Don't give up , it is so beneficial to your mental and physical health . I think my recovery would have taken longer if I hadn't been running .

Don't care about how you look , technique or what people think ( I should also mention that I am 60 in April ) It's about how you feel .

Oh , and my place in the Great North Run has been reserved and I have re-entered ....

[Granspeed Graduate]

What a story! And what inspiration for us all! Your post doesn’t seem long -it seems amazingly compressed for such a huge experience. Here’s to a successful running comeback and a long and happy future in running. Great North Run, here you come! 👏🏼🎉👏🏼⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Speedy60 Graduate]

I've seen the effects of bowel cancer on my loved ones and all my good wishes go out to you. You are an inspiration. Please keep us posted on your journey to the Great North Run.

[Dowat Graduate]

That’s so inspiring, thank you for posting. Fabulous news re place in Great North. 👏👏 Enjoy all your running.

[Annieapple Administrator Graduate]

Yippee the Great North Run awaits you 👏 . What a traumatic time you have bravely endured & how encouraging to hear your inspiring story! Thank you for sharing!!

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A truly inspirational read, thank you for sharing with us. It puts everything into perspective. Happy running x

[Hidden]

Full power to you, thank you for sharing 🙏🏼

[Fleak]

You are an inspiration! Such courage in the face of such adversity. I bet you don’t care at all about people seeing your running style now...

[Exbox in reply to Fleak]

Absolutely ! I'm working to get to where I was 'BC' - before cancer . Just taking each day , following the plan and not cutting corners .

I was achieving around 32 mins for parkrun and 1:06 for 10k . Not sure if I'll do that again but I don't care - just being 'back in the game' is enough

[Wenderwoo Graduate]

An inspirational post, thank you for sharing 👍😁

[MotherPip Graduate]

You can do this, just build up within your own limitations. You know your body better than anyone... If you are up to it then awesome... If you need to rest then rest. You may have ups and downs... after surgery it can take to to 2 years for your body to adapt... if you have a bad day don't be disappointed, embrace it and rest and come back stronger X I remember my first parkrun after my breast cancer and reconstruction surgery... It's the only one that's made me properly cry... 👍😁

[Exbox]

Well yesterday I completed run 3 week 9 😁

Of course all our plans are on hold but I will carry on doing 5k three times a week , sometimes doing Freedom Parkrun at my local course .

Keep up the fight everyone and stay safe