Running the Great North with CAHONAS. That’ll take balls.

#runningwithCAHONAS

I’ve thought about this for too long. I’ve chewed over how to start and what to say and decided to get on with it. I think a lot. And talk a lot. And a chance has come for me to do more. For me and hopefully others too. SO here goes.  

Anyone who knows me knows I don’t run often. I’m a do as I say don’t do as I do kinda PE teacher. I spend a lot of my time telling and encouraging others what to do and how to do it. As a teacher, a coach and a parent. I would love to think I inspire others. But mostly I think I just shout at them.

I love sport. All kinds, although My Happiness is mostly Egg Shaped. I love watching the Olympics and rugby, the Commonwealth Games and rugby, Para Sports and rugby, and all the other stuff in between. Not sure I’m inspired by the athletes and players, but I definitely learn a lot. People that inspire me are the ones I can get close to. The ones I can see working and living and learning every day. These people are my Role Models. The people that kids see and speak to everyday are their Role
Models, both negative and positive. I was and continue to be, a very lucky boy. I’ve had and have heaps of positive Role Models.

Someone said to me recently ‘you always win things’. I thought that was an odd thing to say. I don’t. But I put myself into a lot of situations where there is a chance of winning. It’s not the winning that matters, it’s taking the opportunity, sharing experiences and giving things a go. That’s what I want my girls, the kids I teach, the players I coach and the people I know to see in me as a Role Model. I like to say ‘Yes’. I also ask if I can do things, I don’t think I’ve ever been shy. And I love to help.

I’m inspired every day. My mum does things at 100mph. She can’t swim. On a holiday to Holland, Maisie and Katy asked Granny to go down a flume with them at the pool. Off she went. Scared witless of the water, but so proud of her girls that she seldom says ‘no’. She said ‘ok’. Again, and again and every time with that trademark giggle. And recently she joined Maisie and mummy to do a 3mile run at Arthur’s Seat. My mum has spent most of her adult life running around for other people
and shows no sign of slowing down anytime soon. She’s mad as a box of frogs. This was the first time I saw her in any form of organised exercise. She did it because she was inspired by her granddaughters. I don’t think she realises who SHE inspires.

My wife exercises. Properly. Her motivation was different from mine but it worked. 10k events are nae bother to Nikki. Nikki did the Great North Run before Maisie was 1. She ran the Inverness Marathon last year and it was an amazing thing to see her cross the line with Mayhem and Kaos with me, bursting with pride. Awesome. She works hard and long, has to put up with me and rugby and is an unbelievable mum. What a Role Model!

Well, it’s my turn. It started with an invite to do the Great North Run for CAHONAS. I got the message and told Nikki. I asked if she thought it was a good idea. I hadn’t finished the question before she said ‘YES’. I needed this invite, sometimes you need a push. I needed a push. What started as a half marathon has grown. I want others to see me, the guy who hardly runs the length of himself, train and beat the 2hour mark in September. But unlike Forrest, I want to do more than just run.

Last year I ran to work. I posted on Facebook (as I do sometimes…) that if you see me running, either start running yourself or stop and offer me a lift. That was my attitude towards running. But now I am running with a purpose. I’m running with CAHONAS.

The money I raise will go towards creating a resource and awareness of Testicular Cancer in Youth Rugby teams and schools throughout the land. I’m excited about being involved in that. I’m excited to get people talking about testicular cancer. It might help someone. I like to help others. And now I can.

When I run, I try to make people smile. I ask if they can give me a push. I say ‘hello’ which quite often gives strangers a fright. I skipped down the hill towards Murrayfield the other day. It felt like I was dragging a trailer, but I smiled. An Ambulance with a Blue Light stopped to ask if I needed a lift as it looked like they were going my way. But I have realised that you can keep putting 1 foot in front of the other and move forward. That’s what I am trying to do. But I’m trying to do it with a smile. Sometimes it’s tough, but it’s worth trying. And if I’m nothing else, I’m trying.

Please come along and join me for a run. I am looking forward to organising events to raise money, raise awareness and have a lot of fun along the way. I’m running with CAHONAS.