Good Luck, Kevin (irun)!

Firstly it was so good to read your running commentary on the forum, thank you all for caring, it means so much ( as do many things you will read below).

Felt good this morning, ran first 9 miles in glorious sunshine in 9 minute miles and then for no reason ( well a month with no training, chemo, cancer, hormone drugs,being ill for a month?) my right knee went, from then on I had to hobble the last 17 miles, it got worse and I got slower. I had to walk for a bit after 16 miles and then walked for a minute or two every mile. The crowds were fantastic, my family and work friends come along and kept on popping up round the course, PCUK were there at the start and had a great cheering station plus lots of thanks from them at the end. I lost count of how much I cried through the emotion of it all. A year ago I did the same race 45 mins quicker, what a difference a year makes. When I was dx in November I thought that's it no more running. I jokingly call myself IRUN but expected to change that when I started chemo to IRAN, as cancer had already taken so much from my life and I was thinking well it will probably take it all even before the end. Hence why today meant so much to me.

Then there is the fund raising, I expected to raise maybe £1k from family and friends for our charity ( yes I really think that PCUK is part if everyone in this forum). Yesterday I went to a rugby reunion, they made PCUK the beneficiary if the raffle, raised £450 plus a bunch of them sponsored me today plus I raised the awareness to over 100 guys. When I looked at my just giving site after the run and saw so many more people had sponsored me I got all emotional again. I know it was tough today but I am really just an ordinary guy with a rubbish disease, my words are insufficient as to how touched I am by the number of sponsors , texts, Facebook messages , emails etc I have received. I have now raised just short if £20k inc gift aid which is beyond my wildest dreams( it should keep the forum going for a bit if nothing else!). PCUK is relatively a small charity that punches above its weight, I know the money will help them ( and therefore us) in a big way.

My wife ran a 10k that started just before the marathon. She finished in 1 hour 9 which is effectively the same speed as me ( only 4 times shorter) for her first ever 10k run as that was all she could do to support me running. Her work have made PCUK the charity of the month so that will raise a bit more too. Like many of you, I could not get through each day without my lovely beautiful wife and soul mate by my side.

So what's next, well next chemo is Tuesday, but I need to find another challenge. I have already entered the Brighton marathon for 2016 but I need something bigger, I have one thought but will keep that to myself until chemo and RT have finished to make sure I have got through it ok.

Thanks again everyone you are all just amazing as none if you know me ( that may be a good thing for you) yet you treat me and everyone on this forum like an old friend. Keep posting, can't wait till Leicester as I may have a raging thirst that weekend! Kevlaa IRUN

Hi Kevin,

I started this thread because I thought it would give a platform for people here to show their support for the second most important challenge you face in your life at the moment, the marathon.  I think the strength, determination and courage shown by you today in completing the marathon will have inspired all of us to fight harder against the greatest challenge we all face on this forum, our prostate cancer.

All I can say is "Thank You".  You're a hero.

Steve

Edited by member 12 Apr 2015 at 23:09  | Reason: Not specified

I do wonder if, looking back, you could have done it quicker?

Just saying.

OFGS ONLY KIDDING!!!

Well done Kev.

A tremendous feat.

dave

Edited by member 13 Apr 2015 at 11:04  | Reason: Not specified

Well done Kevin, you finished despite the hobble, bl....dy well done.

Chris and Shirley.

good morning, I hope today as you tend to your blisters and aching body you are able to reflect a little on what must have been a simply amazing and very emotional day for you and also for your Wife, friends, famiy and us crazy rabble on here!

Nobody can feel what you are feeling as an individual with PCa or as someone who has completed a truly astonishing feat of athleticism under exceptional circumstances. You say you are just an ordinary guy well think again Kevlaa, IRUN as of Sunday April 12th 2015 you became a hero, I do not say that lightly and I am sure everyone will agree.

You may be humble but you should also be proud very proud indeed.

I think there were many of us on this forum who got quite emotional with you and for you yesterday, I cannot wait to see you at Leicester so I can shake your hand and buy you a beer but I will be in a queue!!

xxx

Mo

All of the above seconded,El.

Finally, George , I won't be running to Leicester but will be going for a run first thing on the Sunday no matter what ii pour down my throat as I never miss a chance to run somewhere different, even Leicester!

Amazing Kevin,

Good luck on Sunday.

dave

Have a fantastic time on Sunday, Kev !

Fiona.

Have a brilliant day. Hope you get the time you want!

Paul

Kev. You are a brave man running another marathon so soon. In my early days I too ran marathons around about the four hour mark and I know your legs will not have completely recovered yet. But an opportunity like this one could hardly refuse , could one? We are both old and shakey now lol but we both know the magic of finishing a marathon/s My Erwell somewhat faster than myself. Well a lot faster in truth. To do this with your health issue is truly inspiring. Go for it Kev and savour that moment when you cross that line yet again. Cheers Georgina

hi kevin good job getting the number, will also be running London this year, still having scans at moments, I have been told that 200 runners are starting for the charity, my plan is to stop at 13,17 and 22 and take a photo, abit late in the fund raising department for me but will be close to £200.00

for all those running enjoy

Maureen

Xx

Mo

You must take up motivational speaking I would love to hear your story of your preparation and how you manage the miles and do so much for a cause you truly believe in.

I salute you for you are someone I feel privileged and truly honoured to know.

Xxx

MO

Fan flipping tastic !!

Arthur

Brilliant, Kevin. Many congratulations!

Paul

Well done Kevin. I was in London this morning, though for a different event and it was manic,
Where ever you went here were poeple, and the journey home was a nightmare.

So pleased you finished and in such good time too.

A real inspiration to the rest of us

Congratulations, Kevin, another really great run.  Well done.

Hope the treatment is going well too.  Keep us up to date.

Best Wishes,

Steve

Congrats Irun and Bladerunner. Great job. Hope you make it next year Steve. I am sure running helps those being treated for Pca. Gives one goals to strive for and running is a great anxiety reducer. Georgina

Great news Kev with the stats.

I'm sure that exercise and diet have a massive affect.

I'm not surprised it hurts like hell doing 60 miles a week, I'm doing only 15 miles a week at the moment and that hurts like hell. I can't imagine 60/ week.

Great message and inspiring

Paul

Well done Kev...I know you will achieve your goal mate.

I didn't realise you had changed your diet. Is it a radical change or just a balanced diet

Bri

Enjoy your holiday down here we are packing up soon couple of tips jet ski safari bloody amazing hour and a half loads of dolphins the girls loved it and horse riding on the beach as the sunsets

Plenty here to help with the training Cornish cream teas pasties and loads of Cornish beer

Enjoy your holiday and those results

Si