Mike's EU Marathons

@Mike Harley every time I revisit this thread I get teary-eyed.
It's incredible what you're doing, and your epic dedication and perseverance are so touching.
Heartfelt gratitude for all you're doing.

 

The funny thing was, when my mom started running I was 16 years-old and in incredible condition, playing American Football and Rugby in the off-season. My mom would ask me to run with her, which I tried doing, but she was soooo slow.

Being a typical insensitive teenager, I finally had to tell her that running together wasn't working out for me, as I could not suffer her pace.

Guess who got the last laugh? She was just tenacious. She would run, and, run, and run. And then run some more.

She trained with László Tábori here in Los Angeles. He was the third guy to break the 4-minute mile. Pretty soon she became famous within the running world.

I was wrong earlier about her 3:04 being at Boston (although she did run in that marathon several times) it was at a marathon here in Chapman College in Southern California.

I miss being an athlete. Now I live vicariously through my son (13). For 5 years (up till this time last year) I was the head coach of his Lacrosse team (quite a feat for a guy with ME/CFS) and now he's playing Water Polo (and now all I need to do is watch).

Keep running!

Bill

 

Did a Half Marathon in Yeovil, Somerset, UK today as part of training for my next marathon in Estonia (9th Sept).

Went really well, it wasn't 30C for starters.



I met my friend Helen Luck who has ME and lives locally. Her daughter Holly (18) also has M.E. and they're both moderate sufferers who struggle a fair bit.

Helen has written about her and her daughter's experience with M.E and I'm hoping we'll get some local media interest, will let you know.

Now up to £12.8k (48% of target) for Invest In ME biomedical research projects. www.justgiving.com/mikeseumarathons

Mike

 

Just a quick one to say thanks to the 482 people who have kindly sponsored me donating critical funds to Invest In ME's biomedical research projects.



Am up to 50% of target (£13.1K out of £26.2K) and hoping that with 11 races left I'll get there for when the challenge ends in October 2020.

It's not just been amazing seeing the money come through but check out some of the messages I've been getting. Such a supportive community.

Cheers all

Mike

www.justgiving.com/mikeseumarathons

 

October 2020. That is still over a year away! I am really impressed with this long-term effort you are carrying out.

 

Cheers! Yep it's mostly down to finances, each trip costs me about £700 (flights, hotel, entry, spends) so can only really manage 5 per year. Plus the scheduling is tricky as they all seem to either be in April or October!!

 

This is just a fantastic project, @Mike Harley. Deep thanks to you for what you're doing for all people with ME. This is very moving.

 

Thanks to the Bristol Cable for this interview on page 30.

 

Hi All

Another £100 in the pot for Invest In ME from running the Sturminster Newton Half yesterday in north Dorset, UK.



Hot race (27c) and got round in a conservative 1hr 53. Good training for Estonia and hopefully will have some local paper coverage with my challenge and the story of my friend Helen who lives near to the race.

Thanks for your support, next up is Tallinn Marathon (number 18 of 28) in Estonia on Sept 9th

www.justgiving.com/mikeseumarathons

 

Woo hoo!

 

Some nice press from Blackmore Vale Magazine in Dorset today.

 

Awesome Mike.

Good media for ME is priceless.

Thanks for your ongoing exertion for ME folks!

 

Justgiving just tweeted my challenge to 120,000 followers (albeit they got it wrong a bit).

https://twitter.com/user/status/1029065048784654341

 

Message from Dame Kelly Holmes!

https://twitter.com/user/status/1029812840197222400

 

Nice post in support of biomedical ME research on Instagram from Tallinn Marathon today

 

Number 18 in Estonia is done!

Race went well, fastest of the year and really enjoyed visiting Tallinn.



£1.7K raised for biomedical M.E research since the last one in May.

Race report coming later this week....

Thanks for all your support, next one is Bulgaria on Oct 14th.

www.justgiving.com/mikeseumarathons

 

Thanks Mike. Amazing work.

 

Race report for Tallinn Marathon (18 of 28), click here



Next up is Sofia on October 14th!