Justgiving - Doug Mullen's Fundraising Page

Dor died on the 15th March 2007 after a six year struggle with Multiple Myeloma, during that time, and typical of the woman I was married to for forty years, she never complained, moaned or said why me? She just carried on and adjusted her life as this hideous disease destroyed the body around her. Dor had a fantastic zest for life, right up to the last, and enjoyed nothing better than socialising with family and friends, always more concerned for others than herself.

In a curious way the last years provided a lot of laughs and fond memories through the pain and a closeness that only facing adversity together can bring.

The picture, thanks Kathy, was taken in happy times on holiday in Greece and I think captures Dor's personality so well.

Multiple Myeloma is quite rare but is becoming much more common, in fact it is the second most common form of bone marrow cancer. A treatable disease, but one with no cure at present, and one with an extensive and devastating range of side effects and complications.

We were helped greatly and are indebted to Myeloma UK for the information and support they provided. They are also funding the only genetic study into the disease in the UK.

I was my Mums fat lad, (plump babies were fashionable then), and anyone who went to school with me would know that physical activity and particularly running were never my bag. In fact I would do anything to skive off cross country or take the first short cut back. However I feel that I need to do something that requires significant effort on my part to justify my asking you to dig deep into your hard earned cash so I will be competing in the Edinburgh Marathon on 25^th May 2008.

Currently I am running close to half the distance with a long way to go, it won’t be fast, it won’t be pretty but I will get there. I will try to keep you posted on my progress.

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to donate: Myeloma UK will receive your money electronically and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in Gift Aid will be added to your donation at no cost to you.

Please donate generously.

Many thanks for your support.

9th March 2008, I managed to kick one of the stairs at the Hotel I was in last Wednesday and either badly bruised or cracked two toes on my right foot. I was on my way back from a boozey dinner so it serves me right, I suppose.

Killed my running this weekend, fortunately I am a week ahead of plan so I should be able to absorb it, unless I do something else silly.
I will get into it tomorrow, (no I really mean that!!),with a 30 minute jog, a few more short ones, a fast 1 hour and a comfortable 2 hour one on Sunday, (pray for Sunshine and no mud.

Knocked out by everbodies generosity.

16th March 2008 Managed to keep to plan this week but my toes complained a bit. Saturday was a sad day for us but it gives me more purpose and we, Estelle & Paul's family and I, went out for dinner to mark the day. Saturday night and Sunday brought the rain so I decided it was an indoor run. Scheduled for two hours I did it while watching Lewis Hamilton win the Grand Prix in Melbourne, on the 3pm repeat. No problems but it is too hot running that sort of distance inside. May have to invest in wet weather running gear, I don't know how far Lewis went in the 2 hours but I did 11 miles, which means if, (and it's a big if), I can run the whole thing at that speed, I will be below 5 hours.

25th March, Snowing yesterday so it was another indoor half marathon which took 153 min for the 20 kms (13 miles). Knees ach a bit this morning but no serious adverse affects.Training now will be for the second half and into new territory, running more than 3 hours.

26th March - Just went over the £2000 mark with Roy & Pam's donation, well on the way, a very big thanks again to all you generous donars. $0 min run to fit into today.

6th April Did an hour and half outdoors on Wednesday, want to get more outdoors running in now. Sunday, its snowing again so its back on the tread mill for a 15 mile run which I did OK. Next weekend should be in Australia so, hopefully, I can do 2 weeks of outdoor training

Been off line for a while for internet coonection so here is a update

12th April arrived in Sydney late yesterday and went out for an early run of 2.5 hrs, nice to be out in the warm.

19th April, down the coast a Mollymook all this week, keeping to schedule and running alon the beach and the headland, plenty of hills. Did 2.5hrs on Sunday.

26th April Needed to do my main run a day early as I am flying out Sunday. Bought some new Asics gel filled runners much lighter than my Nike Air shocks and used these for a 33km 4hr run. Bit stiff for a day after but not too bad. Nearly at the distance.

2nd May. Back in the UK lost 1 days training but making it up, 2 more big runs to do then I am scaling down for the event.

5th May Great to see we have passed the Target, but if you were thinking of donating don't let that stop you. It's a great cause and the more the better.

Did 4.25 hrs yesterday, round (& round & round & round) Maulden woods, took a couple of tumbles in the mud fortunately no casualties other than my pride!! Started at 5am nice morning with just a light drizzle, not long now.

11th May Up to date with training and starting to taper off now, apparently that's what you do so I just had a short run of 2.25 hrs on Sunday. Feeling good with it all however time will tell wether I am finely honed or just an overconfident idiot, (maybe even both).