Books by Doug Limbrick

For many novice and even some experienced runners completing the 42.2 kilometres (26 miles) involved in running a marathon seems daunting and too difficult to contemplate. For those who have run a half marathon the thought of running two half marathons back to back may seem impossible. However this short book has been written to demonstrate that most runners can complete a marathon and then it provides the information about how to go about preparing for the event, running the marathon and recovering.The book includes advice about: the long run; speed work; stretching; food; clothing and shoes; injuries (prevention and treatment); hydration; the taper; tactics; the race day; and recovery.It also has a proposed three-month training program with day-by-day advice.

A few days before Doug Limbrick is to run a marathon he receives a diagnosis of colorectal cancer. The large mass has been there for some time and must be removed at once. What a shock for a healthy, fit man who hasn't had a sick day from work in twenty years and has been a runner for thirty.In his memoir, the author shares what it is like to have major surgery that impacts him both physically and psychologically. Six months of chemotherapy and five weeks of radiotherapy bring complications. Yet Doug returns to running during chemotherapy in an attempt to regain some fitness and distract himself from the side effects of weeks of continuous infusions. He runs while carrying a black box that delivers the chemotherapy drugs through a tube in his chest at predetermined intervals.Living through more surgery and complications from septicemia and pneumonia, he leaves the hospital after two months weighing 115 pounds (52 kilograms). The long process of rehabilitation begins, with the help of some very good friends.Doug raises some important questions. Why did he get cancer? Why did he survive? And what did he learn? The final chapter looks at life after cancer and the lessons Doug gleaned from his illness and recovery.