ME sufferer's new training chronicle

Gavin Holmes, 38, of Brimington, was diagnosed with the condition, also known as Myalgic Encephalopathy, or ME, in 2014.

The fitness-mad Chesterfield man found himself increasingly unhappy following doctors’ advice to sit in a dark room for 15 minutes of every hour, opting instead to use graded exercise therapy - a structured programme that aims to gradually increase how long ME sufferers can carry out physical activity for.

Gavin has completed 240 miles-worth of races and 1,200 miles-worth of training and will finish the challenge with Clowne Half-Marathon on November 28.

He said: “It’s been very hard at times but I feel better.

“This week is the first week since this started that I have not needed a nap in the afternoon all week long and the foggy brain often associated with the condition is very close to being cleared up.”

Gavin’s book, called Outrunnuing M.E. and planned for release through Amazon on December 1, follows his progress through the year, week-by-week, race-by-race, like a training diary with a focus on managing ME with advice on nutrition. 
He said: “I have taken a lot of abuse from other sufferers saying I make them look bad so it does include a warning that it does not work for everyone.”

If you would like to sponsor Gavin’s fundraising for Action M.E. visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Gav-Holmes1.