Initially I’d titled the blog ‘R and R’ but in light of an online article this week about my half marathon that was run by Wigan Today (thanks to a local press release from MDUK), I thought I’d offer this tongue-in-cheek blog title! Just to explain that Wigan Today used the headline ‘Wigan borough dad running…’ but we’re quite territorial in my hometown of Leigh! Also, for anyone not from the area, basically two towns (Wigan and Leigh) are under the same council (Wigan Council).

So why initially ‘R and R’? Well it’s definitely not Rest and Relaxation, as I certainly don’t get enough of that! Running and Rugby, two of my outlets from the daily grind. Watching my local Super League team, Leigh Leopards is a perfect switch off from everything! It’s a great way of being able to shout loud and let out some of that pent up anger that’s built up inside thus avoiding strange looks as when you look around you everyone else is doing exactly the same!! Give it a try! (pardon the pun!)

Running… Now I’ve had a love/hate relationship with running for a good 10 years or so! Initially I struggled going out for a run whilst being alone in my own thoughts. What I have learnt now is that running is most definitely mind over matter. I would go out for a run on my lonesome and before I’d even completed the first couple of kilometres, I’d be thinking to myself… Am I nearly done?…How far have I got left to run? Up until a few years ago, the longest distance I’d ran was 5k (3 miles) and now I find myself training for a Half Marathon that is now just 4 weeks away!

Running has become a ‘fixer’ and has been very beneficial to my mental health. No longer am I afraid of being alone in my own thoughts instead I use it as an opportunity to process the day or the week that’s just gone by. I’ve had counselling in the past but I’ve found running to be the best medicine to disconnect from everything. I won’t lie, the first 3k of any run is always a tough gig but once I’m past that distance, my legs are primed and my brain is in full process mode!

FYI – The benefits of running after 40 – It seems that the positives of running are myriad: the NHS lists improved heart and lung health, increased joint strength and flexibility, and a reduction in the risk of chronic illnesses such as heart disease and Type 2 diabetes. It is also thought to reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression and stress.

Last year, I challenged myself to running a couple of 10k events in Manchester and Wigan (both of which were incredibly hot days!) so I decided this year I was going to push myself further so I signed up to the Wigan Half Marathon on Sunday 17th March.

My training is well under way and I’m running with a fantastic group of people through my local Be Well gym in Leigh. We have a great run leader in Stan who plans our route each week, we are building up to the half marathon distance (13.1 miles) week by week, adding an additional mile to the routes planned. Before starting the training the longest distance I’d ran was 6 miles, each week has been a new challenge and I’m not going to lie I do get a little anxious on a Sunday morning with the distances being a little bit of the unknown for my old legs! The distraction of having a chat during the training runs has made the longer distances that little bit easier. We have found ourselves having some random conversations during our training runs, topics covered include what is the best non alcoholic beer? (Guinness zero a popular choice), Del Boy, Mrs Merton, Victor Meldrew, oh and how good or bad local high schools in the area really are!!

I’ve also committed to being alcohol free (which began on 30th December 2023) until I’ve crossed the finish line then I’ll celebrate with a nice cold pint of water!! I’ll cover how my relationship with alcohol has changed in a future blog.

As you know we have worked alongside and supported various charities who have been there for our family. We feel it’s important to give back in recognition of the support these charities have provided, and who will be there for families like ours, now and in the future. I know in the past year or so I’ve been asking a lot of people with various fundraisers (sorry!) but please understand that it’s another of my coping mechanisms.

Our world was torn apart when Alfie was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy six years ago. I found it very hard to deal with, but the continued love and support from our family and friends has given us so much strength. Helping to make people aware of his condition has become an important focus for me and running is also one of my ‘fixers’ in terms of my mental health. I think when a rare disease happens to someone in your family, you either sink, just about manage to keep above water, or swim. I like to believe that we’re really going for it as a family – focusing on creating wonderful memories and not letting it defeat us!

For this event, I will be fundraising on behalf of Alfie for Muscular Dystrophy UK. I have set myself a target to raise £1,000 and, in addition to asking friends and family to donate and organising various fundraising activities, Mila-Rose and Alfie, along with their school friends, are going to help me achieve my target.

Their school is taking part in Muscular Dystrophy UK’s annual Go Bright campaign on Friday 1 March, where families will donate, and the children will wear something bright to school for the day to raise awareness and funds for the charity. The school are also holding a mini danceathon in the school hall with music chosen by Alfie.

During the first Covid lockdown, I worked closely with MDUK to create the ‘Lionyard’, a simple range of lanyards and stickers that encouraged the public to leave enough space for vulnerable children and be mindful of their needs when out and about. MDUK have also provided endless support for us and we have made some fantastic new friends along the way! Last year, we were also invited to attend the BGC Charity Day where we met MDUK ambassadors, Gabby Logan, Russell Howard and David Moyes. We also got to rub shoulders with a host of other well known celebrities that day including British Heavyweight boxer, Anthony Joshua!

MDUK support 111,000 people living with muscle-wasting conditions. They are making a difference today, providing vital information and support to help people live as independently as possible. They are making a difference for tomorrow, accelerating progress in research and driving the campaign for access to emerging treatments. (Information taken from https://www.musculardystrophyuk.org)

Finally, I would like to dedicate this blog in the memory of Catherine Gorse. I have known Cathy since high school and I was recently informed by her sister, Joanne that she had sadly passed away. Cathy lit up the classroom at St Mary’s High School with her sparkling eyes, her beaming smile, oh and her white leg warmers!! Well it was the late 80s!! I remember my 14 year old self being somewhat very pleased to find out I was in the same English class as Cathy, I suppose every other lad in the class probably felt the same way! One of my mates also recently said that he only chose to study German because Cathy was doing it!

Cathy was always very supportive of our Action4Alfie awareness posts on social media and also my DuchDad blogs. Her comments were always kind and from the heart. Her positivity always shone through. Cathy would regularly share posts to help to continually raise awareness of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Although Cathy was unwell herself, she was always thinking of others and before her passing she had spoken to her sister, Joanne about the awareness I had done for Duchenne and about the blogs I had written.

Cathy had been unwell for a prolonged period of time and Joanne expressed that Cathy had done some planning before she passed away. Cathy had asked Joanne to contact me as she had requested donations in her memory to go to a charity that supported people affected by Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Cathy’s family and friends are very kindly supporting my Half Marathon fundraiser with donations in her memory that will go to Muscular Dystrophy UK. I’m sure you’ll agree that Cathy is a truly beautiful soul, both inside and out. After telling one of my friends about Cathy’s passing he described her request as a ray of sunshine from truly awful news. Our family are truly touched by Cathy’s very kind gesture to support a cause so very close to our hearts. May she rest in peace xxx

As a tribute to Cathy, I will wear a hint of purple on the day of my half marathon as it is Cathy’s wish for her funeral 💜

Should you kindly wish to leave a message of condolence in the messages below or on social media I will ensure that they passed on to Cathy’s family. You can kindly donate in memory of Cathy by visiting our Justgiving page… https://www.justgiving.com/page/kieron-sales-mduk

Thank you, Kieron x