Real Stories
10 Dec 2021Rotary Watches presents More Time with… Kevin Webber.
Kevin was told he may only have a few years to live after a diagnosis of prostate cancer. His response - a trailblazing mission of marathons, ultra marathons and awareness talks raising money along the way.
In the third installation of our More Time series with Rotary Watches, Kev reflects on running, time and living in the moment.
"With the exception of my family and friends, running is everything to me. Running is freedom, running brings clarity of thought, escapism and makes me feel alive. When I run, no one wants me. That leaves me able to absorb and be one with nature.
The challenge it gives me, starting is physically hard. I’m breathless, ankles and knees aching, but gradually all effort and pain disappear and life becomes now. I feel my body accept its task and grow into it every time I run. I sometimes feel like a horse going from a trot to a canter, it feels so smooth and effortless.
Time can be on your side now, if you want it enough. I’m able to choose the time that’s important to me and elongate it at the expense of things that don’t matter. I love running mile after mile then looking at my watch to sometimes see time has passed quickly, other times slowly. I find it easy to add time to extend a run. It’s like I’m extending life, because running is good for me physically and mentally.
It’s like I’m extending life because it’s good for me physically and mentally.
When I get home from a run the world is always alright. I’m happier and more amenable to be with. Life’s problems have gone and stay that way for sometimes days afterwards, and I still live the joy of being outside.
I have so many running memories, they’re all special because almost every big run in every country I have been to: Morocco, Spain, Albania, Cambodia, Sao Tome, Canada or Jordan would never have happened without being ill. I’ve run over 15,000 miles with terminal cancer, every mile has been a gift of time for me.
The race that will always stand out is the Brighton Marathon in April 2015. Week 13 of chemo, my doctor didn’t believe it was possible, family and friends wanted it so much for me but had their doubts, and my best mate Jim stayed with me for all 4 hours 36 minutes as we crossed the line arms raised in defiance.
Since diagnosis my biggest sadness is the lack of intimacy with my wife. So many aspects of that are stolen from some men with prostate cancer. I mourn the things I once enjoyed but never will again. I mourn that my wife has to be where I am, whether she wants it or not, as I don’t have the ability to make it different. I feel I have failed her, more than my sadness for my personal loss.
But every cloud has a silver lining. While living with prostate cancer, the love and support from my family, friends, my colleagues at NatWest and everyone at Prostate Cancer UK have given me a life filled with worth and purpose. I have the time and ability to run where and when I want, and use running as a medium for fundraising and to spread the message about prostate cancer, and what I now know more than most: life is now, today, so make the most of every day.”
ROTARY X PROSTATE CANCER UK CHRONOGRAPH GENTS WATCH - 1IN8
Rotary has proudly designed a limited edition chronograph timepiece in celebration of Prostate Cancer UK’s 25 years of progress. Limited to only 1,000 pieces, Rotary Watches will pledge 10% from the sale of every 1IN8 watch to fund research that will save lives.