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Namib Race Blogs 2020
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PostNamib Race (2020) blog posts from Johan Bronkhorst
20 March 2020 11:06 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi
Namib Race 2020........ My Story
Well, where do I begin ?
During 2016, I decided to take up the challenge of running the Namib Desert Race , and as it is listed as one of the 10 toughest foot races in the world , what can be more challenging ?? And it is in my Country !
Well , I did not have the privilege to even start the Race......
I will first tell you a bit about myself......52 years old born and raised in Namibia ! Living in Swakopmund since 1980. Being running since I was 14 years old....definitely born to run...not that I have the talent of Kipchoge......but I love to run.
Okay , back to the 2017 race....... My training went very well in November /December 2016 , the only niggle was a pain in my shoulder. This got worse and worse and at the end of December it was so bad that I had to see a doctor. I was referred for x-rays and a biopsy.
Early in January 2017 , I was diagnosed with a very aggressive type of cancer , which had spread into my lymph nodes , my throat , pelvis bones and bladder. I was advised / instruct/ told not to run at all , as this cancer could spread faster should I run. I was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer , and a 5% to survive this. Well , I decided to give a 100 % effort on this one....
I had an operation to have the lymph nodes removed , also the cancer in my throat was operated on.. I had to carry a drain for six weeks.
I still went Saturdays for Park run....and just walked it in 50 minutes and this feeling to be alive just kicked in....and I decided this is MY RACE ! I will run it my way !
I always had my chemo in Windhoek , about 365 kilometers from Swakopmund. I will drive there on Wednesday , do my blood test in the afternoon. See the oncologist on Thursday at eleven o'clock , get my dose of chemo at 14:00 and then I drove back to Swakopmund.
Saturday morning it is off to Park run and then the effects of chemo will kick in.......not nice !
To make a long story short......after the chemo sessions , operation, radiation , VIT C drips and own blood therapy and a very positive attitude I was declared clean of all cancer !!!
Why did I get cancer ???
Well , why not me ??? I will not have it any other way....
I have the gift of a second chance in life !
And part of that second chance is to complete what started in 2016........ The Namib Race 2020 !!!
Until next time...
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