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Running Keeps Me Alive

ยท 2 min read
Andy Reid
Andy Reid
Andy the Muppit

Running keeps me alive. Staying alive to care for my wife and children.

I'm sharing this while sitting on a park bench overlooking the lake immediately after finishing, before my stretching, as i need to get it out, raw and unfiltered.

Andy at 50th parkrun

I used to care about times, distances and always beating my personal bests. That just doesn't serve me any more.

I had always joked with Charlotte that i she would outlive me by decades. Her great aunt, Auntie Elsie Tu, lived to 102 in Hong Kong whereas both my dad and grandad passed away of heart attacks in their early 60's.

Its our English humour that gets us through tough times.

Anyway, her illness changed all of that and i must fight to stay alive.

Today was my 50th parkrun and i had aways planned for Charl to be here with me in person.

She popped up unexpectedly as she always had in my live, from the very first time we met and she wrapped her legs around me, smiled and wouldn't let go.

We danced our first dance at our wedding to Endless Love by Lionel Richie and Diana Ross.

I couldn't make this up, the same song played through my headphones as I finished. Kismet or what. She was here after all.

I am sharing this as my reason for running hit me like a ton of bricks about 3km in, i burst into tears proper bawling my eyes out. I startled the person next to me but i didnt care.

What a release, i had no idea I needed that.

If you are doing it tough you are not alone i am here for you.

Read more: Andy the Muppit