Patrick Masheder is one of CPF’s directors. He helps look after the business side of the company. This is his lockdown story.
After a week at work, I can normally be found in our local, The Devonport, having a drink and a laugh with friends and family. It was on a cold winter’s night, sat by a roaring fire when a friend announced she was thinking of running a half marathon. Leeds in the spring; lovely. I’m not that fit, and the wine spoke before I did. We were booked by 8.00pm.
Last year, one of my best mates, Sean, found himself battling myeloma, a dangerous blood cancer. Sean and his family have been incredibly brave, and he’s has been on a hard and inspirational journey. My choice of charity was made. DKMS is a wonderful organisation that matches stem cell donors to give patients a second chance of life. When my swab kit arrived, I discovered how expensive they are to send out. So, although I’m now on the register, I wanted to raise some much-needed money for more kits.
Through January’s sharp winds and freezing rain, I’ve pounded the pavement, beginning with running to the pub and back – about a mile. I even resisted the temptation to go in. It’s been strange, running along at night with my headtorch on, getting all the way to the pub’s front door only to have to turn around and head home.
Thanks to my brilliant business partner, and expert personal trainer, Johnny Harrison, I’ve managed to increase the distance bit by bit.
Through lonely runs, Johnny’s detailed plan has taken me to up 5k and even the odd 10k. My running buddy, Jane, joined me as we moved into March. It was quite often just us stumbling along, thinking of the challenge ahead and our quickening pace. Then lockdown came and it was back to running solo again. A touch of warm weather in April flooded the streets with lockdown runners. Puffing along, nodding and waving to each other as we ran down the middle of carless roads, clocking up the miles, building our stamina, keeping as fit and health as we can for ourselves and our loved ones.
I’ve got to a level where I think I could possibly run 13.1 miles and not let down those people who have been kind and generous enough to sponsor me. I’ve never run that far before in my life. Lockdown delayed my scheme by a couple of weeks and the Leeds half marathon has been cancelled until further notice. So, my plan is to run to the pub and back 14 times non-stop, which should be enough to hit the half marathon mark.
I hope you can help me. Please visit my donation page and make a difference.
Take care.
Patrick