I wanted to write and thank you for focusing on running with cancer in your most recent issue [September 2016]. I found myself nodding in wry recognition while reading Alice-May Purkiss’s story, as it resonated so much with me.
I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014, aged 37, and, while undergoing chemotherapy, it was detected to have spread to my liver. I did Race For Life Pretty Muddy during my chemo (with my PICC line very thoroughly covered in cling film!), and started going to my local parkrun to gradually improve my fitness and provide something other than cancer to focus on. I kept at it, building up the distance, and was thrilled to finish the Great Birmingham Run Half-Marathon in October last year, in support of Cancer Research UK.
I had major liver surgery in December so was out of action for three months, but I’m back at parkrun, have recently joined a lovely local running club, and am on track to take on the Great Birmingham Run again this year.