My Dad

I’m not a great runner but have always done a bit of running. I grew up in Yorkshire where a ‘normal’ 5k run typically involved insane gradients, peat bogs and hard work. I’ve done two half marathons and absolutely hated the second one. I haven’t run for a month or so and found my latest run (5k) hard work… which brings me to my point/Dad…

My Dad used to do fell running - running marathon distances off-road and in his case, running in races up and down the Pennines or Lake District peaks - sometimes with a tent on his back.

At the time I didn’t appreciate how fit my Dad was doing this, but looking back and talking to him about what he achieved, it seems almost incomprehensible to me. (He also used to cycle or run to work every day - a good 5 mile round trip daily) These days, fitness is a big thing (thank goodness), but I’d be hard pressed to find anyone who does what my Dad used to do on a weekly basis.

I train very hard and give absolutely everything to my own training, but when I think about what my Dad used to do on a weekend, it’s humbling. My Dad has taught me a lot about fitness but has always been incredibly modest about his achievements - I have a lot to learn.