Overcoming illness gave Barking Road Runner Diarmuid MacDonnell a whole new love for the sport, as he explains to Kay Atwal
“I was diagnosed with testicular cancer in April this year and had to undergo chemotherapy at St Bart’s hospital – and running wasn’t advised.
“Thankfully the chemotherapy worked and I was told the cancer was in remission in September.
“That meant I’ve been able to go back to running and it has given me a massive boost.
“I appreciate it more and it’s given me a renewed enthusiasm.
“I think it’s only when you realise you can’t do something that you really appreciate it.
“I never enjoyed running when I was young. When you’re younger it’s just about competition, whereas now it’s about enjoyment and it’s more social – it doesn’t matter what level you’re at.
“I started off doing the parkrun – a 5k run in Valentine’s Park every Saturday morning – about three years ago.
“It was while I was doing the parkrun I met up with some of the guys from the Barking Road Runners and joined the club.
“I started training with them and doing races, 10k runs or half marathons.
“Now I run about five times a week. How long I run varies, but it’s probably about an hour each time I go out.
“I now have a place in the Barking Road Runners club in the 2015 Virgin Money London Marathon in April.
“I just thought it would be a great opportunity given what I’ve been through and it’s given me a goal to fix on. I’ll be raising funds for Richard House Children’s Hospice in Beckton.”
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