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255 Miles

On Sunday, all being well, I’ll be lining up with some 25,000 entrants to run my sixth Cardiff Half Marathon, my eleventh half marathon in total. All those miles - just by putting one foot in front of the other - which started when my dear friend Ann joined a ladies running club, Epsom Allsorts, and encouraged me to go along.

In what’s been a particularly wet and gloomy West Wales summer, I’ve worked really hard for this race. With support from Tom and my good friend and fellow runner Helen, I’ve run 255 miles which have taken me three times across Poppit Sands (and up to my thighs in a stream) for the 5k race series, all round Tenby in a hot 10k and on a tough, wet, hilly 10k race round Newcastle Emlyn where I managed to get lost. Not en route, but at the very end when I could see the finish line, but didn’t have the faintest idea of how to reach it!


A hot 10k in Tenby

Which way to the finish? Soaked to the skin in Newcastle Emlyn.

Training wasn’t my only goal. After thinking long and hard about it, I opened a new JustGiving Page and asked people to dig deep once again for Pancreatic Cancer UK because 9600 people and their loved ones will face a pancreatic cancer diagnosis this year. I’ll never forget hearing the words, ‘I think we’re looking at pancreatic cancer’ when Dad was admitted to A&E and how our whole world fell apart. The money you have generously donated over the three years I’ve asked for support will make a genuine difference to the progress being made. Early diagnosis will help to save lives so I’d like to say a huge thank you to all of you for helping to spare other families the heartbreak this awful disease brings. I’m truly grateful for your kindness and generosity.



Comments

Joy Lennick said…
My offering will be chaste....(unlike you who sometimes gets chased but by bulls and suchlike?!)
I am a devoted fan and follower of your running progress, Chris, as well you know! You should be very proud of yourself and all you do for cancer. Onwards and upwards. You're special!
Love Joy xx
27 September 2017 at 07:31
Chris Stovell said…
Oh, Joy! You are kind! Thank you so much for all the encouragement and support, Cxx
27 September 2017 at 07:45
Patsy Collins said…
I hope you've recovered by now!
2 October 2017 at 08:56
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