'Why I'm gearing up for Operation Long Run'
I have always been involved with fitness, professionally and personally, having taken part in challenging events such as the Marathon des Sables, the Gobi Challenge and the Amazon Jungle Challenge.
Consequently, I had always assumed that my levels of physical fitness would protect me from diseases and ailments. Then, about eighteen months ago I blacked-out whilst getting out of bed; fortunately, no injury incurred…my initial thought was heart attack! My partner Paula insisted I visit the doctor and after tests, to my surprise, I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.
Paula had always suspected diabetes and maintained that despite my confidence in my ‘fitness’, I had a very unhealthy attitude to food…far too frequent over-indulgence. This, combined with my age and steadily increasing weight, manifested itself in diabetes. Both Paula and the doctor stressed my need to lose weight (whilst maintaining exercise levels) which, under her strict guidance, I have done and feel significantly better for it although I still find it difficult to resist temptation! However, I do realise healthy eating has to be a way of life and not just a ‘whim’.
My diagnosis also provided the opportunity for a new challenge so, in 2013 an ex-army colleague (Mike Crawley) and myself, both 66, are attempting to cover 100 consecutive ultra-marathons, 3000 miles, as a 'tag' team, around Britain in 50 days: that is, 60 miles every 24 hours!
We aim to complete the distance by ‘tabbing’, a combination of running and walking. In addition to the physical challenge we have set ourselves the target of raising £1,000,000 for Diabetes UK, The Meningitis Trust, and BLESMA.
To succeed in our fund raising aims Operation Long Run needs as much support as possible. £1,000,000 is a huge sum of money but a 50p donation from the 3.5 million people in the UK with Diabetes would reach the target comfortably!
Having Diabetes has not stopped me from doing anything in life and in many ways has acted as a real incentive to becoming healthier and even fitter than before.
Words by Mike