Assuming you are training for next February’s marathon, half marathon or walkathon, this is the inspiring story of Paul Dolman, the world’s first Cystic Fibrosis (CF) sufferer who dared run the Comrades (89k) ultra marathon, not once but several times.
Dolman has been suffering from CF since the age of three, a disease which affects several parts of the body, most particularly the lungs to such an extent that it can lead to a lung transplant or worse. His lungs have been destroyed, meaning he has to breathe twice as hard and fast to get enough oxygen to breathe.
He ends up in hospital every three months and cannot train due to intravenous antibiotics. When he is healthy enough, though, he trains five times a week, with good quality sessions.
His resting pulse rate is 80 compared to some runners whose resting pulse rate is in the low 50’s, meaning it’s as though he is always running too fast and is unable to talk to his running partner.
Sweating is the name of the game in strenuous activities. Salt, therefore, is very important for the body to function well and it is imperative to stay hydrated at all times.
With CF, dehydration can happen very quickly. On raceday, he can lose so much salt that it can become life-threatening within a few kilometres of running in the heat. He has to drink 800ml per hour more than the average runner and also has to take large amounts of salt to replace what he has lost during the run.
Nothing on route can improve his lung capacity, if anything his oxygen saturation levels drop during intense exercise. So if Dolman is not fighting for his breath, he is busy calculating how much he has to drink every kilometre that he runs!
Yet, it is this same race that keeps Dolman completely focused in life and mentally very strong, which also aids in speeding his recovery when ill. He has completed at least three 94.7km Cycle Challenges, as well as several ultra marathons, and this is not the end for this amazing athlete!
With CF, Dolman has learnt not to take things for granted and to live life to the fullest. “Never leave for tomorrow what can be done today”.
This story is what helped me personally to get through the final stages (the last two months) of my training leading to this race.
2011 M2S
As this article is being written, there are 490 registered athletes for the 2011 M2S, 10 shy of the limit.
With two days to go for applications to close, all places would have been taken up by the time you are reading this article.
Each year, with the number of participants increasing, the standard of the M2S improves. This year the Red Cross will be present in greater numbers along the route and a medical field tent will also be rigged at the finish.
The number of road junctions along the route that will be manned by the Police, Wardens and G4S officers, has been increased. The route will not be traffic free but these officers will help control the traffic as runners make their way to Spinola.
Registration and the collection of running numbers will be held at the Urban Jungle outlet in Sliema opposite the Marathon finish.
Participants can register on any day from today to next Saturday including Sundays and feast days from 0930 to 1900.
Registration at the start will also be available.