It was ten years ago that I received a call from my old friend Jonathan. He was taking part in the Great Manchester Run and wondered if we could put him up for the night before the run. Of course, I said. By the end of the call, however, I had agreed to do the run as well.
Now this may not seem noteworthy, except for the
fact that I hadn't run since I was at school and had never enjoyed it then. But
having said I'd run, I thought I ought to do a bit of training. Another friend
of mine, Mike, helped me with a training plan and off I went, gradually
building up the miles in preparation for the big day.
Jonathan and I ran the 10km (or 6.2 miles) event
together and I was surprised how much I enjoyed it. My running career had
started, thanks to that initial nudge on the telephone.
Fast forward a few years and I was contemplating
my 50th birthday. Another friend, Adam, was terminally ill with cancer and I
decided we'd raise some money for The Christie cancer centre where he was being
treated by getting a bunch of people to run 50 miles along the Cheshire
canals. I'd done a few marathons but
never anything of that distance.
On the run itself Jonathan ran with me again. So many people joined in, it was amazing and
uplifting. We were doing well but at
mile 43 we stopped for too long to talk to other runners and have a break, and
my legs decided they didn't want to play anymore. The last seven miles took
what felt like an eternity and we crossed the finish line together with me in a
state of semi-consciousness. It was a wonderful experience but one I don't
intend to repeat.
As we approach the Great Manchester Run again, ten
years on, it is great to reflect on how one innocent call could nudge me into
such a great hobby. Thank you, Jonathan.
How often do small questions prompt significant chains of events?