T 70 mins inc 50 mins Sub-Threshold (7:14mm), 40 mins TM Hike @ 15%
W 70 mins (8:21mm)
T 70 mins (8:14mm), 40 mins TM Hike
F 80 mins inc 60 mins Sub-Threshold (6:59mm), 40 mins TM (8:37mm)
S Rest
S Long Run - 60 mins Easy, 45 mins Sub-Threshold (7:04mm), 5 mins Easy (7:38mm)
Total - 64.6miles (7:52mm)
Aerobic Efficiency - 1226 beats per mile.
Weight - 167.1lbs
Dear Dad,
It's London Marathon Day today. Except it isn't. The virus has put the world on hold for a while. That's why I haven't been to see you for over two months. I miss you. I miss telling you what I've been up to. I miss taking you for a coffee and a cake at Booths and telling you all about your beautiful granddaughters and how they are growing into amazing young ladies. I will come and see you again. I promise, as soon as I am allowed, I will be there. I want to see that glint in your eye when you find something amusing, or you are inspired by something I have said.
Why did it have to be you? Why did life have to deal you that shitty hand, firstly with the Parkinson's and then with the dementia? You are a great man, the person I want to be. The person I will always aspire to be. The person I will always fall short of being. You are a man with the kindest of hearts, the gentlest of manners and the passion of a lion.
It's five years ago today since you last saw me race a marathon. It was at London in 2015 and I had a stormer. 2:22:12. It was a PB at the time and I gave it everything. I gave it everything, not just for me but for you Dad. All I wanted to do that day was make you proud. I know I did. It inspires me to think I could inspire my hero. The tears in your eyes as we met up after the race, having witnessed your son running the race of his life. Deep down, I think I knew you wouldn't be able to watch me at a marathon again and so I had to make it a good one!
I am just getting back into running again having really let myself go. I wish I could tell you about it. I know your words of reassurance would be there. You would tell me that I just have to keep going, keep putting in the work and I will get there. 'All you can do is your best, Jay'. I hear your voice every morning when I put my kit on. It's what gets me out of the door. It's what makes me run with a smile on my face as I work my way back from this state of 'fitness'. I will get back to where I was and I hope with all my heart that I can tell you every gory detail of how I came back from nowhere to realize my dreams.
With love always,
Jay
Wow. Great read. Thanks for that.
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