A happy birthday with marathon man
How would you feel if you received an invitation that said “Come to my 60th birthday party at 9.30am to run a social marathon with me”?
Well that’s what I did this week. My friend and running coach, Rory Coleman, who has run more than 1,000 marathons in his life, decided that was what he wanted to do to celebrate. So 14 of us trotted off on a tour of Cardiff, passing sports stadiums, neolithic burial chambers, Barry Island funfair and my personal highlight, the house where Gavin and Stacey was filmed.
I first got to know Rory when I was in the depths of despair shortly after my cancer diagnosis and he gave me the confidence and belief that I could race across the Sahara.
With his coaching and care not only did I finish that race but I have gone on to run around 15,000 miles in seven years.
I am not alone as he has helped thousands of people achieve their dreams, so it was fitting that a crowd of us turned up to both celebrate and show him what he means to us all.
The weather had a bit of everything, rain and galeforce winds mixed in with the beauty of the moment.
The run was fully inclusive, walking up hills at times and taking just short of six hours, but that ensured all those who wanted to could complete the distance. That old saying “no one gets left behind” had never been so true as we stayed together as a group, sharing stories and jokes all day.
Making the three-hour drive home I felt quite emotional that I had been there to spend such a special day with Rory and friends old and new.
Every mile travelled was worth it because I could clearly see what it meant to him, too.
I hope if you are ever invited to an occasion, you make your best efforts to be there and don’t cry off at the last minute unless you really have to.
Memories on days like these are lasting and special, and why would you not want to be part of something incredible for someone who is special to you?
Until next week, Kev