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Tuesday 12 April 2016

30 years on......

      After two operations on my Rt eye, the first in December which went horribly wrong and a second delicate one in February under general anaesthetic to glue a new lens into my eye, I can now see reasonably well again. After countless follow up appointments and administering different drops 4 times a day ever since, I'm able to see clearly through that eye though the cataract in my Lt eye is considerably worse. It too will need an operation later this year, again under general anaesthetic, which I'm not looking forward to.
I can see clearly now - through one eye!
(Click pictures to enlarge)
      It never stopped me running but it certainly slowed me down and drastically reduced my mileage. And less activity resulted in an increase in weight, but I'm working on that.  Last week I was starting to feel pretty good again and managed to run all the way up Castle Hill without having to walk short bits to catch my breath.
Setting an MV55 course record in the 1988 Pennine Marathon - 3:05:47
      Come weekend it suddenly dawned on me I'd been running exactly 30 years. It was April 9th 1986 when I took my first steps to becoming an athlete - though the word 'athlete' never entered my head at the time. Dissatisfied with the overweight, flabby hunk staring from the mirror I decided to do a bit of jogging to get back in shape. Fifteen months later I discovered I could 'jog' rather fast when, on a steamy July day, I won the MV55 category of the 1987 Pennine Marathon in 3hrs 30mins. Life was never the same again.  The following year I broke the MV55 course record.
Receiving MV75 winner award from the legendary Kenny Stuart,
2010 Derwentwater 10 mile road race - 1:21:21
      Many Championship wins on roads, track, fells and cross country, a few course records and 38,407 miles later I think I can dispense with the term 'jogger'!  Self training for races wasn't easy but the rewards and podium finishes gave me a wonderful sense of fulfilment that enriched my life in ways I'd never previously dreamt possible.
First win as an MV80 in the 2012 Ilkley Trail Race - 1:27:27
      I love the way the sun rises in different places as the days roll by so make no excuses for yet another another photograph of a dawn run over Castle Hill, taken last Friday. I decided it might be fit for publication so emailed it to our local newspaper, the Huddersfield 'Examiner'.
Another dawn run over Castle Hill - and still enjoying running,
after 30 years and 38,400 miles
      The editor was soon on the phone wanting more information for it wasn't the sort of thing your average 83 year old gets up to and might make a good story. "Is it alright to send a photographer to take more photographs and do a short video?" he asked.  Affirmative.  How could I refuse?  Fame at last, I joked!
Watch out for the article later this week.
It might be a good laugh!

18 comments:

  1. Inspiring as ever, huge respect! I look forward to the video and article although I don't think the Huddersfield Examiner comes down as far as Somerset!
    Glad the eyes are improving, especially for the summer.
    Ian B, Somerset

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    1. One eye is improving Ian - and I'm frightened of anything happening to it because the other one is knackered!
      Tou should catch that video online - if they haven't thrown it out. Cheers!

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  2. Well I am actually going to repeat Ian here!
    Yes inspiring and great respect too!
    I am applauding you in your determination, and after 30 years and 38,400 miles you are still fully enjoying your running.
    I raise a glass (well actually it's a cup of tea!) but seriously well done and here's to your next run and the one after that and the one after that ... keep on running!

    I look forward to your next post and news of the video.

    Enjoy the rest of the week

    All the best Jan

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    1. Hey, steady on Jan, I'm not that good! But thankyou, this morning's run went really well, inspired by your good wishes. You should try it......
      Cheers!

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  3. I follow your blog and read your stories because you inspire me to keep going.
    I might have more miles and years run, but I wish, that like you I am still running into my 80's

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    1. We all inspire each other Coach, that's the beauty of Blogland. And blogging keeps us running. Running keeps us blogging. It becomes difficult to stop. It's odds on you'll still be doing it in your 80's.
      Cheers!

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  4. Happy running anniversary, Gordon! Wow, and please do share the article and video once it's available? I'd love to have a look!

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    1. Thanks Karien. Just Google 'Huddersfield Examiner' and it should come up shortly - if they haven't scrapped it!
      Keep on running....

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  5. Inspiring and humble ever since the day I first spoke to you on RunningBug! Still looking like an M55 as well :-)

    Glad to hear one eye is good and the other will be dealt with. My calf problem stopping me running is so minor in comparison.

    Wishing you all the best for the spring and summer weeks to come sir.

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    1. You flatterer! I may have mentioned it before Rich, I'd no end of calf problems, interferring with training and racing, until I began using Orthoheel Regular ¾ length inserts in ALL my footwear. I've had no problems since.
      Many thanks for your good wishes. All the best to you too... Cheers!

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  6. Yeah I remember that now. Will definitely be in the hunt for them.

    Just seen this been tweeted on twitter by Sweatshop. Have dutifully retweeted it and shared your blog. Fantastic running form there :-) More flattery ha ha

    http://www.examiner.co.uk/news/west-yorkshire-news/keep-running-message-83-year-11184142

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    1. Thanks Rich. That's not my regular running style nowadays, but one that won me a lot of races in times gone by.
      All the best......

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  7. Inspirational stuff - and a fine newspaper report. Right, it's time I went for my morning run!
    :-)

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    1. Thanks JJ. I went for my run at 05.45. Thought I'd better do it before it snows! Cheers!

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  8. Hello from a still crocked old blogger! Keep up the great work.

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    1. Running doesn't get any easier Breandan but yes, I'm hoping to go on a wee bit longer.
      So what are you doing by way of exercise if you can't run?
      Hope all is otherwise well with you and yours.
      Cheers!

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  9. Wow Gordon, you really are an inspiration! You still look fabulous when you run and I'll be very happy if I can keep going for as long as you. Hope your eye continues to improve. Take care. Susie x

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    1. Susie, I don't/can't do a quarter of the things you do. All I can do is run. You're the amazing one - and long may you continue to be so.....
      Happy running - and everything else!

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