ANOTHER TEN FOR THE LOSS OF A GOOD MATE

A WARM AND SLIGHTLY HUMID SPRING DAY, AND ANOTHER TEN

I’ve written more than once now about what pushes me on as age creeps up quickly, and the aches and pains persist.

At least I get to feel those aches and pains, unlike too many mates who have passed. Well a couple of weeks ago another mate died.

So for him and all the others another ten mile bash with my 30lb Bergen. Lately I’ve been running between 5 and 8 miles in running kit alone…clean fatigue for the anointed. But when I throw in the Bergen and boots, it’s either a 5 miler or a 10.

This morning I dug over the garden, it’s a beautiful spring day. Everything showing some sign of growing and even blooming. There was a rabbit in the neighbour’s garden eating new shoots and having a ball doing it. A family of Northern Red Cardinals and a Blue Jay were sitting around watching the rabbit, as was the odd squirrel. Some of the trees are showing their early blossom. Not a hint of any wind (except from me while I’m turning over the soil so close to having breakfast), Blue skies, and therefore the perfect day in my mind to go for the ten miler.

As always, I take the back streets of my village in the New York burbs. An old man with a grey beard, British Army 70s/80s smock, boots and Bergen, just jogging along at a steady pace…and smiling away.

Most people that I pass have no idea who I am, have no idea where I’ve been in my life, and have no idea why although suffering… I’m smiling.

Like my wanderings around Up State New York, these 10 milers keep me going for weeks or at least until the next one.

Today was for a laddie called Jonathan, I’ve known him for 50 years, he was one of the nicest lads you would ever meet…and I miss him lots, we’d communicate online over all sorts of subjects.

It couldn’t have been a better day…as I write this the weather and beauty of my location is enticing me back outside.

Maybe a day to cut the grass too, it could be classed as my warm down.

None of us know when our time’s up…none of us, no matter our age…our children and grandchildren too.

As sad as that sounds, it’s a trigger to take care of ourselves. It comes of course with no guarantees, but at least it gives us a chance.

There’s lots of life to live yet, if not for our family, then at least for ourselves…remember, every day is a school day…but only if you’re up for learning.

Here’s to Jonathan, and here’s to the next 10 miler, after all it could be someone else doing one for me!