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Runners are friends for life

and there for support when you need them.

Last Tuesday night I went to one of those events for proper runners - an open track meeting in Longford Park, the home of Trafford AC. I have to say, though, that these meetings are great for runners who wants to test themselves on a short, fast blow out no matter what standard. Sure there are some very good runners but it is not as high brow as many might fear. Runners can choose the distance they want to run, turn up on the start line and, as there are several races at each distance, can slot themselves into a heat with runners of similar ability. The first race was the 3000m and there were two heats. The first for runners capable of speeding round in less than 9 mins and 15 seconds and the second for everyone else. Andrew Wiles from New Marske was first across the line in the first race in a time of 8 mins and 17 secs and Mike Deegan from Salford won the second race in 9 mins and 28 secs. What was apparent was the massive support for Mike. Many people cheering around the track knew that Mike is on a comeback. He was a very successful runner in his day but had focussed less on his running during the last ten years. He explained his inspiration for putting his running shoes on again.

I started running everyday when my wife Angela died on 21st June 2009; she suffered from malignant melonoma and after a year battle with 2 great years in 2007/08 the cancer finally won. Running is simple easy and I used to be quite good at it, so it seem the natural thing to do, 4miles every morning and 9-11 miles on Sat/Sun gave me a base of 40 miles per week.

Within 3 months I had lost a stone met up with an old university friend Jill Harrison who was running again, and she encouraged me to run a couple of 10kms in December. The result was sub 36mins at Percy Pud, 35m30 at Ribble Valley and then, after the snow a 34m48 clocking in Cannes. A holiday in Devon at Easter produced 34m 20s at Yeovil, progress coming from slowly increased mileage to 50 mpw and some fartlek, as well as losing another stone.

We had a Birmngham reunion run at the Woodley 10km by which time I had 2500 miles under my belt, 9m28s for 3000m on track and three 5km relay legs in Northen and National 12 stage relays. 25 ex Bimingham university athletes met up at this event including Olympians Chris Benning, Andy Holden and Ray Smedley and internationals including Mike Kearns, Jill Harrison and Steve Emson. After 30 odd years it was just like all our yesteryears with lots of banter, joking, laughing and remembering. A few tears looking at pics of Ange and also Ian Logan, who also died of Cancer on 15th August 1997, Angelas 40th bithday!

Brimingham Uni reunion at Woodley 10K

Everyone did the Woodley 10km, no one dropped out and we had a fantastic weekend together. Lets hope its not another 30 years befoe we meet up again, or its definitley 5kms and zimmer frames! Its true what they say runners are friends for life!! By the way we also raised £12000 for CRUK; please go to just giving to see the results and photos and make small donation. Ange and Ian were taken from us too soon by cancer; please help us make a difference.

 

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