At the end of 2017, my Dad – Philip Hayden – was rushed into hospital with sepsis. He survived this episode and another at Christmas, but was still very sick and could not walk for three months.
Seeing him so helpless in a hospital bed compelled me to sign up for 10k race to create a positive outcome from a sad situation. I signed up for the Bristol 10k on one of our lengthy car journeys from Devon to Eastbourne to see my Dad.
I have run this race and my local 10k since then, but please do not be fooled…I am not a natural runner. No way!
I was the skinny, pale kid at school. I was asthmatic (still am), had eczema (still have it) and was one of the last to be picked for a school team (thankfully this is not an issue anymore). I went to Loughborough University, but did not realise it was such a haven for the sports elite until I noticed everyone was a wearing tracksuit (true fact). I worked in the professional sports industry but spent most of my time sitting down. I write…I do not run.
Running was hard for me. It scared me. I am hoping that by sharing some of my experiences I can help other reluctant runners overcome their fears.
I also want to remember my Dad in a truly positive way. He was a naturally, gifted sportsman. Football, squash, tennis, cricket, golf, badminton, table tennis…the list goes on. He would also casually turn up to the Eastbourne Fun Run (not so fun if you ask me) and cruise through. Then pop on his 1980s shell-suit and head for the pub. In his latter years, he was a prolific litter-picker and walker. He had a lovely jaunty walk and always made sure he positioned himself on the road-side if he was with a lady.
Vascular dementia robbed my Dad of many of his faculties. A stint in a wonderful nursing home got him back on his feet after his hospital stays, but in the end this horrible disease won and he passed away with his wife Sandra and I by his side on August 20th, 2018.
I want to turn my grief into running. Dad would not have wanted me to dwell but it is still hard not to feel sad. I sometimes I feel sad while I am running. However, if I can become fitter and mentally stronger by facing my running demons then hopefully Dad will not have died for nothing.
Before we all start wailing, this will be a positive blog. I do not intend to make you cry. I like to laugh as often as I can. I will share my anecdotes along the way with the aim of hopefully encouraging others to walk a little more, start running or to run when they would rather not.
Running for Dad 