(Now closed)

Most of us are running from something or towards something. Often we find the unexpected. I started running to burn fat. I found a passion for an activity I hated as a child in school.

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In March 2009 I began to show symptoms of what was later diagnosed as Myotonic Dystrophy; an inherited genetic disease. There is no cure. Now I run while I still can. Running goals keep the body moving when often it just can’t be bothered.

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Myotonia symptoms vary in severity for different people but for me they include:

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* fingers locking: annoying when one wants to pick one’s nose or pick up a pencil to give someone a good jabbing

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* tongue and jaw locking: frustrating when running and a cyclist narrowly misses you; try shouting “bloody idiot!” without moving your tongue

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* muscle soreness and wastage: can’t beat the wife or daughter in an arm wrestle anymore

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* heart and breathing problems: no symptoms yet but not looking forward to this stage

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Others are not so lucky.

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I’m not running 365 marathons in a year. Nor am I eating 12 raw pigs for breakfast. I’m doing what almost anyone could do, including you. Marathons and half-marathons are tough but they are within the range of us lesser mortals, including you. We are born to run. If you would like to sponsor my 12 half-marathons for a year and donate a small amount of money to support Myotonic Dystrophy, please donate below.

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Thanks for reading.