21/03/23

I turned the big 5-0 in June and it would also have been my lovely dad's 75th birthday on 11th March so to mark both occasions I decided to set myself a challenge on New Years day of running Manchester marathon on 16th April, and hopefully raise some much needed funds for an amazing charity, Arthur Rank Hospice which I know has touched many of your hearts.

I'd not run further than 13 miles in over 5 years when deciding to enter and it's not getting any easier but I wanted to get fitter and challenge myself, so week in week out, come rain, wind or shine, I've been pounding the streets, and yday I ran my longest training run of 23 miles, which has totally broken me. There is no way i could've run another 3 miles yday so I just hope that comes on the day and the memories of my dad can drag me round. To be fair, it prob wasnt the best idea after 12 hours of travel back from my ski hols, over 100 miles of hard skiing, too much booze and cheese, and dancing on the table 🕺🙄🤣 etc but it's done. I'm now hobbling around as my joints are very sore.

Arthur Rank were amazing at looking after my dad and us in his final hours after being told he had just 3 weeks to live due to having advanced lung cancer, almost 5 years ago. I therefore would like to try to raise some more money for them as they've really struggled during covid. I appreciate that times are hard, however, if you are able to spare a few quid to support my efforts and help this amazing charity, it would be greatly appreciated by all concerned.

Thanks again from Arthur Rank and I for your ongoing support ❤

08/03/20

Time flies and waits for no-one. Almost 18 months since we lost Dad and at times it still feels like yesterday. Grief is an odd thing, you can be fine for weeks and then BOOM it comes from nowhere and smacks you in the face. I don't think you ever get over losing someone close, you just learn to cope and accept the new norm. It's one hell of a rollercoaster that's for sure!

I was struggling so much that in October I decided to take some time out and quit my job. It was one of the toughest decisions I've ever made but it felt like the right thing to do. I'd worked hard all my life and felt fortunate that I was able to take this break as I appreciated that not everyone would be able to do so. 

I always thought I was strong however losing dad, nana and needing a hernia op all within 6 months was just too much for me alongside the relentless pressure of work. The op resulted in me not being able to do any exercise for 3 months and hence I lost all fitness and put a stone on so I needed a focus and the Cambridge half was it. My objective was to get fit enough to break 1:30 which was a tough ask at my age, however, I was very determined and I trained hard. I felt 50/50 on race day about whether I might achieve my goal, however, I went off hard from the start and surprised even myself with my time of 1:27:39 as the official photo captures perfectly. 

Thanks again from Arthur Rank and I for your ongoing support ❤

 16/11/19

A year of firsts! I'm not gonna lie, it's been tough but many others have sadly lost their lives to cancer since my lovely Dad and many of those have been looked after at the local hospice where my Dad took his last breath. For that reason I'm hoping that, despite not being well this week, losing over 3kg thanks to a tummy bug, that I'll get around all 21000 metres of the course tomorrow and that some of you lovely people will feel inclined to support my efforts and donate some of your hard earned to help the Arthur Rank hospice continue their amazing work. 

Thanks very much in advance for your ongoing  support. ❤

16/11/18

As most of you will now be aware, my legend of a Dad sadly lost his short but brave fight with lung cancer on 14th November, aged just 70 years young. He was only diagnosed on 27th October so its all been unbelievably quick, so much so that it doesn't feel real. Dad was so very brave and polite throughout his ordeal retaining his great sense of humour at all times and always finding energy for numerous visitors. He fought hard and even got to the point on 7th November where the Doctor's were talking about letting him come home and were suggesting that there was a realistic chance of him seeing Xmas. Unfortunately, it wasn't to be and Dads health deteriorated over night on the same day and then steadily declined over the following week. To say it was an emotional rollercoaster would be an understatement and I know there are still tough times to come :(

Whilst there were some amazing nurses on Dads ward, conditions really weren't great and most days were a battle to get Dad the care he deserved hence we fought hard to get Dad moved to the Arthur Rank Hospice. I had promised Dad I'd get him there and we were all set for a transfer on the morning of 13th until, and I kid you not, the computer said no! Dad looked me in the eye and said "we aren't going to get there are we?". I again promised him we would and fortunately we did with the help of some unsung heroes.

We eventually got him transferred on the same day and he was provided with his own room. The staff were amazing and the environment so tranquil especially in comparison to the hospital where at times it felt as though Dad had overstayed his welcome. We were able to play his own music through the TV on his memory stick whilst we sat huddled over his bed in the dimly lit room finally in privacy telling him how much we loved him, how we would never forget him and thanked him for all that he had done for us until the early hours of 14th.

I was due to run the St Neots half marathon this coming Sunday (18th) but given recent events it was the last thing on my mind and hence I was going to pull out but today I thought I must fight on like my Dad had done and I need to get out and start living again, taking each day as it comes until I get used to the new norm. Dad didn't give up and he knew how much I enjoyed exercise, sport and the great outdoors. He was never sporty himself but enjoyed keeping tabs on what I was doing and took great pleasure from my exploits. I often received comments from others about how Dad had been boasting about my achievements like any proud father would. I know Dad would want me to be happy and for things to carry on as before as best they can.

Despite the fact that I've hardly slept, lost 4kg and eaten way too much junk food during the past 3 weeks and not done any training, I've now decided that I'm going to run the race in his honour and memory and at the same time try to raise some much needed funds to help this amazing charity. My Dad had less than 24 hours in the hospice however it really was a nice place for him to take his last breath and for this my family and I will be eternally grateful.

If you could spare a few quid to support my efforts we would be extremely grateful.

Tx 

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