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Hello Everyone

It is my aim to raise £5,000.00 for Protate cancer with your help.

I will endeavour to run in 4 events,which are:

EDINBURGH Marathon    (26miles)      23rd  May  2010    3hrs 51mins

REDCAR Half Marathon  (13miles)      13th  June 2010    1hr  38mins 

GREAT NORTH RUN       (13miles)      19th   Sept 2010

1hr 40mins

DUBLIN Marathon            (26miles)       25th  Oct   2010

3hrs 34mins   

 

I was inspired to do this after seeing my father in law, Malcolm Lindridge go through so many emotions, after being diagnosed with Prostate cancer.

Seeing the the lows, when he first found out to the relative highs, when in December the treatment he's having seems to have held its progression.Long may it continue.

In addition to this , a close friend John Stanton also diagnosed with Prostate Cancer , has recovered following various treatments.

This just goes to prove when you hear that word CANCER, you don't just give up. These guys have seen what its like to go to hell and back, not just emotionally, but physcally. It is by seeing their family and friends around them, supporting them, that's what gives them that drive.  Think on, if you would like to donate,  you may not be just a family member or friend to one of these guys, but also to someone who may be carrying this problem without knowing. When there turn comes, at least you will be able to say, i've contributed to helping them. Unfortunately this and other charities depend on money from these sort of things, because the Goverment can't or doesn't want to completely fund all research and treatment. This isn't about politics, it's about family and friends.

This is a brief discription of why I can relate to these guys.

Following the death of my Father in 2002 from Lung Cancer. My brother Tony thought it would be a good idea to do something to rasie money for a Cancer Charity. Him having not done any sort of running/jogging before, I thought it a bit strange. But knowing Tony , it's all or nothing.  To my astonishment and pride we both managed to complete the London Marathon in 2003,raising approx £3,000.00 for cancer charities.

We continued our training and reapplied for the 2004 London Marathon, but we never got  places.

In November 2003 I was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or ME, following a bout of flu. This meant I went from running 8 miles every other night, to not being able to walk down the stairs. I felt like my life was over, but for my wife Vicky , having to physically dress me and give me the will to go on, and the thought of my kids and their kids, I think I may have crumbled.

Four years later 2007 after giving up almost all of my pass times , I heard the call from across the table in the pub , that the lads insisted I still went to once a week.WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO START DOING SOMETHING YOU FAT ______d,  Still having a touch of competitiveness in my blood, these words were red rag to a bull, and two years later and three stone lighter I ran my first 10km in 45mins. Managing to beat all the other Fat _____d's around the table. I would just like to thank that friend, Gary Neil for them very kind words of encouragement.

I am now about 90% fit,and another stone lighter, but can assure everyone I will give 100% to reach my goal of finishing all four runs.

Unfortunately I have lost some of my memory,due to my illness. If you see me and I act like I don't know you, please refresh my memory. No I don't owe you any money, but on the other hand you don't owe me either.

Many Thanks Mark

7.02.10

 

Just to let you all know,there was an article in the Middlesbrough Evening Gazette about the events i intend to do.

You can view these by going to the following link  http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/2010/02/25/me-sufferer-overcomes-odds-to-take-on-marathons-for-charity-84229-25907667/

Lets hope this can generate some donations.

It's nice to see we are already up to £1035.00.

cheers Mark 

28.2.10

 

We are now into mid April with training going well, we are also upto £1849.00 in donations.

The first run is only 5 weeks away.

Thanks for all the donations so far.

Cheers Mark

15.4.10

 

Well that was the first one out of the way 3 hrs 51 mins inside my estimated 4 hrs, and in sweltering heat.

It was said that it was 85 degrees at the finish or on parts of the course , and believe me it felt like it.

At the monet the donations are at £2187.00 which is pretty good , and would like to thank you all so far.

I attach a couple of photo's from the run.

i am looking forward to the next one , but  i hope it is a bit cooler.

Cheers Mark

24.5.10

 

Another one out of the way , Didn't feel too good but managed 1hr 38mins.

Redcar and Weather was kind to us this time , overcast with the occasional shower .

My heart went out to a guy who got within 100yds of the finish , when his legs decided to give up on him.

A couple of officials tried to take him to one side , but he would have none of it , and insisted they help him finish.

Everyone in the crowd saw this , and cheered him all the way over the line .

 

Sorry to say, but i took 10days off training to try and let my lower half have a rest.

 

Now back in training, and all i can say is bring on the cold weather , far too warm for running , but it has to be done .

No Pain No Gain ??? still don't like this saying.

Cheers Mark

25.6.10

Well the great north run didn't go the way we planned .

Saturday started off with my back going after bending down to take meggs lead off .

Time for pain killers and heat pack .

Sunday , day of run , more pain killers .

After six miles i could still not feel the legs , and just when i thought i was home , that hill down to the front .

Every step hurt , but once on the sea front , just 1and 1/2 miles to finish.

Well , that was 1hr 40mins after start. I had to be pleased with that , when i thought i was never going to do it .

4 weeks and it's Dublin .

cheers

24.09.10 . 

 

Dublin marathon 25th Oct

It was a nice cold day , and running conditions were perfect .

It was at this point someone warned me of the hills , but assured me I'd be Ok .

I was going great guns until the hill at around 20 miles .

Think of the the worse hill where you live and this would have been the same .

When i finally got over , it was all down hill apparently , that is until you turn to look at the finish line , YES uphill to the finish .

Well pleased with my time .

Thanks to everyone who sponsered me .

 

Cheers Mark