A cancer survivor is preparing to run a 106km ultramarathon just months after completing his treatment.

Congleton resident David Barrow's new book, The Fog of Chemotherapy, will be released on Tuesday, April 21.

It is the second part of his series, OH SH!T, I've got Bowel Cancer, which recounts his battle with bowel cancer.

He said: "Reading my diary back reminded me how mad chemotherapy was and how it impacted my mood, but that's really the point.

"To help those going through or supporting someone going through a life altering diagnosis as often the mental impact is equal to or greater than the physical impact."

ALSO READ: Congleton bowel cancer survivor shares his story in new book

David continued: "Chemotherapy is weird. One minute you're fine, and then the next minute your hands are fizzing, your jaw won't open properly, and you're wondering how on earth pizza, yes lovely pizza, has betrayed you. Those moments where you think, 'is this actually worth it?'

"Yep, some of its grim, and hopefully, some of its oddly funny. There's a chapter called Aperol Sh*tz which probably tells you enough. 

"There's also something I didn't expect, using AI to track what's going on.

advertisement

"Symptoms, patterns, how you're actually feeling.

"It helped more than I thought it would, so along with a fellow patient I've shared how to do it properly in the book."

Congleton resident David Barrow's new book, The Fog of Chemotherapy, will be released on Tuesday, April 21 (Credit: Supplied)

To celebrate the books release, which coincides with Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, David is planning to complete a 106km ultramarathon around the Isle of Wight.

Running non-stop for around 18 hours, David will be raising money for Bowel Cancer UK.

He said: "It's something that means a great deal to me personally.

"I last did an ultramarathon as a right of middle-aged passage in May 2024, six months before finding out I had bowel cancer. I still find it mad that I managed the distance with cancer 'inside' me. 

"When I was diagnosed I instantly told myself I wanted to challenge myself, at first that was running before my operation and now it's training with the after effects of surgery and chemotherapy.

"I'm nowhere near as 'fit' as I was last time and we are running twice the distance at 106km on May 2, two years since my last ultramarathon and 10 months since finishing chemotherapy."

Joining David on the run is friend of over 20 years, Wayne Benson.

"Having Wayne support me and by my side is an absolute bonus," David said.

"I have no doubt Wayne could do it in half the time but his patience and support sums him up and sums up our believe that supporting others is key to doing good."

You can find David and Wayne's JustGiving page here.