Being thankful for what is beautiful

Date: Thursday, September 13, 2018

Distance: 6.16 miles/9.92 km

Listened to: Alanis Morrisette playlist (if you have not listened to her for a while, give her a whirl)

Tomorrow is my Dad’s funeral. Don’t worry this isn’t going to be a sob-fest I am fully focused on seeking the positives ahead of what I know will be a tough day.

Having slogged though a really slow run on Monday night in the dark after work, it was great to see the sun and a blue sky this morning. I wanted, and frankly needed, today’s run to be a good one.

And how could it not be? It was so beautiful out there today and reminded me how fortunate I am to live in this lovely area. I managed all the little hills and walked bloomin’ Cattery Hill as usual. Although this time, I walked right to the top to get the full benefit of the views from up there.

If I had not gone to the top I would not have seen the plastic sweet packet and empty drinks can that I ended up picking up along my way. By the time I got home, I had picked up two crisp packets, another can and a plastic bottle too. I must have looked ridiculous but it made me chuckle as it really reminded me of my Dad.

He did a six-year volunteer stint with the National Trust as a litter picker on Burling Gap beach. He was basically doing beach cleans way before they were trendy and everyone started was worrying about plastic pollution. He cared about our environment before we knew it was an issue. He often came home with armfuls of litter or filled his golf bag with items people had left behind on the course. He simply never walked passed rubbish.

So there was no way his one and only child could run past that litter today.

I think this activity has a name…plogging. The Swedes started it by mingling jogging and litter picking. Whatever, it’s called, it’s a great excuse to stop and catch your breath!

One of the reasons for starting this blog was to encourage people to get moving in whatever way they can. Can I be greedy and also ask you to pick up some litter on the way? Just pop it in the nearest bin or take it home for recycling. When I do so, I say “One for Dad” in my head. You do not have to do that of course, but know that he would be very grateful for your efforts.

Running wise, I managed 6 miles today and I am over halfway to my 50-mile target for this month. I’m still doing it. I am still running for Dad.

#itsoktowalk #runningfordad #lessplastic #plogging #onefordad