Some dates stick in your head. June 2nd 2011. The day I sat in a consulting room with my wife, Ailsa and heard the news that she had breast cancer. It was the worst day of my life. I felt helpless. My job as a husband is to make sure bad things don't happen. And if they do, to make them right. I could do neither.  Ailsa's treatment lasted almost a year. She is now back at work and fitter than than she's ever been. Our battle is not over but we feel like we are winning. So many other mothers, wives and daughters (not forgetting the men that breast cancer affects) are living with the day to day fears that are the reality of breast cancer. My little contribution to the fight is another small step in winning this battle.

I hate asking for sponsorship. Especially for running events. I've been running competitively for the past 32 years. I have about 40,000 running miles on the clock! But this year I got a wake up call. X rays showed that my hip joints were pretty much worn out and will need replacing sooner rather than later. I've had the Comrades on my 'list' for about 30 years. I signed up to do it last October, before finding out the extent of my hip problems. I've decided to go ahead and run - what the heck and its for a cause close to our hearts. 

On the 6th April I 'ran'(and walked, mostly walked!) the Lochaber Marathon in 4 hours and 30minutes, giving me the sub 5 hour clocking which qualifies me to start the Comrades. It wasn't pretty as since last October I've done very little running, most of my training has been on the bike, rowing or in the pool. Not ideal, but I now know I've got 26 miles in my legs. Just the small matter of 30 more to do in the 12 hour time limit. I'm realistic, there is a very good chance I won't finish but I am going to give it my best shot. 

Please help me, your sponsorship helps me, making it more difficult to give up, but more importantly it helps you or your wife, your mother or your daughter. 

Thank you for reading!
Every step is a victory.

T