I have not written a new post for over a year and that is because most of that time was taken up by illness. I was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's B Cell Lymphoma during 2010, and I had to have six months of chemotherapy, which made me feel truly awful. However, it made the cancer feel even worse because in March 2011 I was declared 'all clear', and I am now feeling better than I have for a long time.
From Last to First has now been republished by Aurum Press,  in hardback, with the addition of  pictures. It is, as they say, available from all good bookshops.
 


Comments

Jon Jennings
04/23/2011 12:34

Nearly finished your book charlie. Massive motivation to our new running club which is 12 months old (knowle and dorridge).

I was 17 when you won a medal in LA. I got in serious trouble and had a big argument with my parents as they didnt understand why i wanted to watch this race in the early hours!. I watched the lot and was glad i did. You never got enough credit but I was always huge fan of north east runners like yourself and brendan foster. The book made me think about under rated athletes as well like kevin forster and tim hutchings.

Inspirational. I was so sorry to here about your illness and glad your making such a good recovery. Our sport needs people with your experience and common sense.

Take Care.
Jon Jennings
Knowle and Dorridge running club

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Shug
06/11/2011 13:18

Best wishes to you Charlie.

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Andrew Simpson
06/21/2011 15:41

Bought,read and thoroughly enjoyed your book. Especially the earliest bit.I was in Mr Ford's class with you at Dean Bank(and through the infants school). I can remember your eye patch - it's the sort of thing you remember at 7. And the walk up to the Rec for sports day is still vivid. Do you remember the class football competion in the school yard where 1st years got 11 players and 4th years only 5 or 6?
We even ran together once. In the 1984 london marathon I finished somewhere in the 4300's a little way behind you but the peak of my athletic career! Anway good to hear that your treatment has been sucessful. Hope that continues.

Best Wishes

Andrew Simpson



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Robert Wildes
07/29/2011 11:53

Good to year that the chemotherapy is working. My father had that type of cancer and he went through many bouts of radiation and chemotherapy.They know a lot more about it now and hopefully you will be fine.

Read your book when it first came out and thoroughly enjoyed it.

All the best to you and yours.

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Stuart McLay link
08/15/2011 12:35

Dear Charlie I was delighted to read that you had been given the all clear after your recent treatment. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and I was intrigued by your idea to get children more involved in the build-up to the Olympics through the use of fitness tests. As Principal of a British International School in Borneo I'm keen that our students follow your suggestion - would you be happy to have your name associated with this project? I'd be happy to send more details about the school if you would like?

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Tom
10/05/2011 05:32

Charlie - just thought I'd say I loved the book and I'm glad to hear about your recovery. I am mentioning the book to all my friends in my running club, which should hopefully have an influence on its sales figures and on their running times!

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Ken Martin
11/07/2011 11:42

US marathoner here (2:09:38), we should talk, I had 6 months of ABVD finishing August 2010 for Hodgkin's Lymphoma, still have underlying Follicular non-Hodgkins' Lymphoma, stage IV.

Glad to hear you are through it well. I'm intested in exercise and cancer research (very little good in-depth research). I'd be interested in your thoughts on some fund raising specifically to strenghten the evidence base for exercise prescription as a part of cancer treatment like it is for heart attacks here in the US.

I'm assuming you can see my email submitted with this blog, if so, contact me.

Cheers!
Ken Martin

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Dan Nash
12/27/2011 13:11



My name is Dan Nash, I'm 17 and I received your autobiography for Christmas.I just wanted to let you know that it was fantastic and so inspiring. You have given me the motivation I needed to race well in the English Schools and Inter Counties this winter, and given me some belief too (aiming for a top ten position and have been training "perfectly" since September). I also particularly agreed with your reasons for the decline in number and standard of British athletes. Let's hope Mo or someone can change it around but I have doubts. I hope you have now fully recovered, and I look forward to a sequel!

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kate link
02/06/2012 08:14

Hi Charlie
A colleague of mine here at Pharmacist Support is a keen runner and passed along a couple of articles about you and your career. As a pharmacist and pharnacy owner we thought that you may be interested in getting involved some how with our organisation. We are an independent charity working for pharmacists and their families, former pharmacists, prereg trainees and pharmacy students (we were formerly the Benevolent Fund of the RPSBG). We have relaunched and developed over these passed few years and now provide a range of free and confidential support services including financial assistance, debt, benefits and employment advices, a stress helpline, addiction support and an information and enquiry line to those in need. We provide a lifeline for those who, through circumstances often beyond their control – - personal illness, disability or other life changing events - have required much needed assistance. This has been provided in many formats, on a short or long-term basis and is specifically tailored to the individual’s circumstances. You can view further details about the work of the charity on our website at www.pharmacistsupport.org and in our most recent annual review (available at http://www.pharmacistsupport.org/uImages/FINAL%20Pharmacist%20Support%20Annual%20Review%202010.pdf). Do drop us a line if you are interested in finding out more.
Hope to hear from you soon
Best wishes
Kate

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Chrissie
02/16/2012 14:51

Hi Charlie - Really sorry to hear you've been unwell and glad to know you're back running. I got your book early last year and found it honest, humble, funny and most importantly, inspiring. I've read a fair few books on running, but so far yours has been the one most relevant to me because it covers not just running /training but real life around it and it's written in a way that's engaging too. Best wishes, Chrissie

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Ian
03/01/2012 10:38

Charlie,

I absolutely love the book! What a fabulous blend of goals, spirituality and sport. I am recommending it to all my friends. I wish you good health.

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Graham Crawford
03/05/2012 08:38

Thoroughly enjoyed the book Charlie. I'm sure others from the 70s to 90s who followed your career among the many great and very good middle and long distance British runners of that era would appreciate it too. Wish I read it when I was obsessively overtraining 25-30 years ago. You were a lot smarter than me. Others can learn from you - which appears to be a big driving force behind you telling your story. Also your observations on what is ailing the sport in this country now can't be argued with. Good luck with your health.

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Chris Geraghty
03/15/2012 10:07

Charlie, I’d just like to congratulate you on this wonderful book: funny, wise and inspiring. Your medal in LA was a big highlight for me back then as a running-nerd teenager, not least because you came across as a top bloke who’d achieved his dream through hard work and terrific commitment. The book more than reinforces that opinion. Stay well & all the best

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Paul Owen link
04/11/2012 15:19

Hi Charlie, just finished your book. Its an absolute page turner and I loved it all. I read huge amounts about running as I am totally addicted to running and reading about doing it. I can honestly say that I found it a real page turner and have instantly recommended it to my mates at the club.
I am sorry to read of your illness, which must be particularly hard for an athlete such as yourself. In truth, it must be hard for anyone to cope with and I can but pass on a message of support.
The bit in the book that sticks with me, is when you were so unfit before Seoul you could not run up the hill. I have been out so many times on my own when it's just you and your body. You can choose to take the easy route or you can take the hard one. The easy route was obviously to sit back on past glories, but you choose the hard route. Man after my own heart. You have to do it for yourself and no one else. You happen to be a famous runner who has achieved a huge amount, but us runners are ultimately the same. We have to love it, want to do it, feel the burn and ultimately push through for what we want to achieve for ourselves and no one else. Very inspirational stuff. A very close second was the decision to return the London fee. My guess is that there are few people have that sort on integrity. For all your achievements and the manner in which they were obtained, you have my respect.
I very much hope that your battle with illness is a success.

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