Current predicament...

Well, It's 21:00, on the 3rd November 2021; I'm currently sat on the couch with a pizza, and on my very best day I can just about crawl around 2k in 22 hours! I have a little over 6 months to train, work, train, and train a little more, so that I can run the entire 10k of the Birmingham Great Run on Sunday 1st May 2022.

Why you may ask?

This is a fair question; My preferred sports of choice nowadays are a lot slower paced, golf and darts require very little speed and stamina, they also come with a very important social aspect to them, which actually reduces the little speed and stamina required to play them! So to attempt a couch to 10k run in a little over 6 months may sound a bit bizarre...

Let me explain... 

In December, 2018, my Dad was diagnosed with a very rare and aggressive cancer, sadly just 3 months later he lost his very short battle. My Dad was a very strong and fit 68 year old man who enjoyed playing golf 3 times a week at his local club in Bromsgrove. He worked extremely hard throughout his life, creating and running business', and both himself and my Mom were amazing publicans, finally retiring from the trade in 2010, in perhaps their favourite place, The Plough & Harrow in Bromsgrove where they made many, many 'forever friends'.

I learnt an awful lot from watching my Dad work throughout his life, but if I was asked to pick out one quality that I tried to inherit from him, it would of been his people skills. He had the ability to connect with people from all walks of life, everyone felt comfortable around him, and he was at his very best when he was amongst people. My Dad had a huge influence on this area of my life in particular.

The Primrose Hospice

In February 2019, my Dad was admitted to the Primrose Hospice in Bromsgrove. By this time my Dad had really become quite unwell and he was also very uncomfortable, but after a briefing with his consultant at the Hospice, they were able to get my Dad feeling a lot more comfortable within literally days. The overall care for my Dad was incredible during his time at the Primrose, they were so empathetic, and even when he decided to come home, our nurse was in regular contact supporting the family. On a more personal level, I have benefitted from the aftercare service that the Primrose provide, and during some of my own darkest times, I will be forever grateful.

So...

As the cold winter hits, and the 'Rocky running'  through rain, wind and snow becomes harder, I'll take strength from the hard work and dedication that my Dad shown throughout his life; And as I approach the final 2k (hopefully!) on Sunday 1st May and my legs feel like a blancmange, I'll remember the kindness of the hospice, and how this money raised will help other families also receive the kindness and empathy that we once did.