Cass and I are breaking a promise, often repeated, NOT to exceed the three and a half miles we have run weekly for the last ten years.  Despite well founded arguments to the contrary, we are attempting to run 13 miles, a half marathon on 12 May.  This is to remember with joy and sadness Cass's brother John, who died on Christmas Day 2012 of meningitis aged 54.  Only three days earlier he was chatting and exchanging presents at Cass's house, before travelling to Paris with his wife and two sons.  It is there he died.

 

I met John a handful of times and imagine he would love to think of his sister and two brothers punishing themselves in middle age, sharing jokes, memories and blisters along the way.  He was a really lovely man, energetic and great fun, with the ability to listen keenly and be involved with others, no matter if he had just met them.    Running makes his death more real, raises money for Meningitis UK and marks the start of a magnificent TWELVE half marathons to be completed in six months by Mark - Cass, Danny and John's brother.   So this is partly to support Mark at the start of his extraordinary effort but also to acknowledge and  grieve John's early death in a way that feels productive.  Cass and I now know more than ever why we pledged to keep our runs modest and dependable.  Training is really gruelling and does NOT get easier.  We will definitely be returning to three and a half miles!