Today my brilliant little Grandson and myself took part in the Skipton Santa 5km Run. It's the first time that Leo has taken on this kind of distance and at 6 years old it's a big distance to cover. It's also the first time in two weeks that I have been out for a run. It's been a very difficult two weeks and today is important, it's a blue sky, sunny day making you happy and grateful for the chance to be here.
It's our first time in Skipton and we are loving seeing lots of Santa's around us it's busy and friendly. We see many people that we know and everyone is smiling. We move into our place with the joggers, lots of kids around which is great to see. Just before 11 the runners are underway the countdown 3-2-1 GO with a huge cheer from the remaining Santa's the run begins. Leo and me make our way to the start, we begin our jog downhill around the left hander to go uphill, we look ahead and see Santa's we look behind us and see Santa's it's an incredible view. We are reduced to walking as all these Santa's cannot fit through a gap. Once we are through the gap we have a clear run down into the lovely town of Skipton. We head for the canal towpath we hit more congestion of Santa's we enjoy the walk along the canal and the lovely views. As we cross over the bridge of the river the Santa's spread out and we run back down into Skipton. We run in and out of narrow roads and shopping precinct with the shoppers cheering us on. We drop back down onto the canal towpath towards our finishing straight. Lots of people are along the towpath lending their support by clapping and cheering ALL the Santa's big and small. As we cross the canal bridge and head back into Airville Park a run uphill is all that's left for this brilliant little 6 year old. We see the finish banner and of course we sprint finish. With his medal proudly around his neck Leo completed his 1st 5km run. I am imennsley proud of the achievement that Leo made today he ran where and when he could, he chatted the whole way round and enjoyed it, the smile on his face when he finished showed how much he loved it.
Tomorrow begins my personal challenge of a 31 day run streak. It will be a monumental challenge for me after the last couple of weeks, but I am determined to do this. It is about saying I got past that bit by the skin of my teeth, with a way to go yet, I still want to ring the neck of the past 2 weeks. This challenge will see me do that.
It's difficult to explain how running helps me to escape some days but it couldn't and wouldn't have helped with jack, when you are told that cancer cells have shown up in a blood sample, it tends to make you sit back and say.....wow.....or in my way....shit. I am so lucky that I have friends and family around me that I needed to tell and they wouldn't fall apart, right now I needed their strength and positive. I wanted them to treat me exactly the way they had 24hrs earlier. It took only 10 days for the doctors and specialists to decide that I am out of danger from the cancer that had showed up, however I will be routinely checked up on to make sure the count remains stable. I was immediately banned by my kids from running and cycling, which as it happens I didn't have time to go anyway. They won't be happy when they find out about this either, it will mean me more vigilant than ever about the signals that my body will be giving out.
So I shall attempt to do a daily blog, however it could get very boring and repetitive but I shall try and snazzy it up a bit if I can.
Ta muchly for taking the time to read this drivel.
