The London Marathon!

My view has always been that I have at least one marathon in me. This is not a conceited statement; having always been an active participant in sport I thought that it would just be down to correct and adequate training. However, in all honesty, I could not be bothered to put the necessary hours in. Then came my 41st birthday. Along with a fantastic friend, John, we decided that this was going to be the decade that we were going to ‘tick’ off a few challenges, I suppose what could be described as a mid life crisis. Therefore, first on the list was the London Marathon.

Initially the meaning of the marathon was purely personal, something for me and me alone (and, of course, my friend John too). My participation was purely for my benefit. Thanks to the advice on training of another friend, Steve Bell, (as an ex-international triathlete he was well qualified to do so) my training was coming along fine but the odd small pain, niggle or discomfort whilst putting the miles in was distracting from the enjoyment and I would view in a negative way.

Then my application to become one of Team Trinity was accepted and my perspective changed. Suddenly the whole activity took on a new and larger meaning. It was no longer just me but a whole team. Plus the discomfort and minor aches and pains I was/am experiencing are nothing compared to what Trinity’s patients have to cope with on a daily basis. Suddenly running the Marathon and especially for Trinity Hospice became a privilege and honour. Now I look at each run as something to celebrate and embrace, not something that has to be endured. This mind set has now rolled over into my everyday activities. My association with the Hospice, no matter how brief has taught me to celebrate being alive everyday, and to celebrate all friendships, relationships and associations with joy. Often they say that when you are least looking for something that it finds you. I decided to run the London Marathon to tick off a box and instead discovered a whole new mind set and attitude.

I would also like to take this opportunity to say thank you to Mick Lacey. He will not remember what he said and when he said it but at a stage when I was having some doubts as to whether I would actually fully commit myself to the cause a single short sentence from him during a evening of general conversation made me realise that in reality I did not have a choice, as not taking part would have a far greater impact than just me letting myself down. So again another lesson learnt. Sometimes the smallest and insignificant things we do can have a profound impact on those around us!

Despite all this sense of good feeling and joy I have gone down with a rotten cold and missed two runs!! Life has a way of digging you in the ribs now and again. Still, it is only a cold and it will be over in a couple of days, I am sure I can cope with that.

So thank you Trinity Hospice and Team Trinity, you have worked your magic once again on a very personal level for Neil Wright.

If you’d like to support me and help Trinity just go to: www.justgiving.com/neilrunsfortrinity