Stroke Man to Marathon Man by RuddysMarathonEffort

2004, June: At 42 had a stroke which left me unable to walk for several days never mind run. 3 months recovery followed before weight loss (3 stone) and gym training commenced.

2005, April ran my first ever 10K race, the Beverley 10K.

2005, October, Ran the Bridlington Half in 1 hour 50 minutes and raised £1350 for charity in the process.

2006, Half a dozen 10 K's plus the Humber Bridge and Brid Half's

2007, 10 K's, Halfs, East Hull '20' and the Flora London Marathon in 4 hours 28 minutes raising £5000 for Stroke Charities and proving that there is "Life after Stroke".

2008, rejected by the FLM ballot I trained for and ran the Edinburgh Marathon (May) in 4 hours 35 minutes, a fantastic result given that i injured my Achilles in February.

My injury means my running career has ground to a halt and half the 3 stone has piled back on because my stomach doesn't have a full meter. If I don't get going again soon, I doubt I can get fit enough to run FLM 09 even if I get through the ballot.

September 2008: But thats not my real worry, its my health. If I don't do something about my continuing decline I may end up back in Ward 110 as a patient rather than raising money for them. By 'baring my soul' on the tinternet I am hoping it will force me to face my demons and kick start a reversal? I am still injured but if I can get the weight back off without the running I hope i can get my fitness back so much quicker when i do..........may have to go back to fat club (again!).