🟣 My dad betrayed me

My dad's started Couch to 5k.

The same man who once joined me in saying "running's for people being chased" has betrayed me, downloaded a program and is voluntarily going outside in November to… jog. 

But I let him off

As much as I joke about cardio, it’s one of the best things you can do for your health. And earlier this year, his bought the absolute fucker.

Pops’ heart wasn’t doing what it needed and led to an emergency surgery and pacemaker being fitted.

He lost a lot of his strength, stamina but mainly? His confidence.

He said his body didn’t feel like his anymore. And being his daughter, I saw him withdraw from his old self pretty quickly.

Quietly, six weeks ago, once he got the all-clear from his doctor, he took it upon himself to start running to support his heart health.

And he didn’t fuck about.

He’s now six weeks in, and he’s set himself a mini-goal: to do a Parkrun by Christmas without collapsing at the finish line.

But this six-week mark? That’s when shit starts to ramp up. The “walk breaks” start disappearing, and the temptation to sack it off and become a duvet burrito gets more flirtatious so he asked me to join as his accountability buddy.

Now, I fucking hate running

But I fucking love my dad

So how the hell am I going to say no to that??

So there we were. Two idiots in the pissing cold, lacing up our trainers. The rain falling sideways with that beautiful shade of UK grey. He looked at me and said, "If I die doing this, let your mother know."

I told him to fuck off and start jogging.

He told me to fuck off right back.

But together, one step at a time we boxed off 25 minutes of non-stop running.

I treated him to a coffee after and what he shared about the 6 weeks leading up to this one, he shared something I think you’ll all appreciate:

He told me how fucking brutal the first few weeks had been. Physically, sure. But emotionally, an utter fuck.

His fear of being slow was realised when someone overtook him while walking.

His fear of being out of breath was realised when he was gasping for air within a few minutes.

He hated those first runs more than he’s ever hated anything.

But three times a week, he kept showing up.

Not once in the last 6 weeks was he stopped by the rain, wind or that little voice in his brain telling him he’s not good enough.

Hell, to this day he doesn’t love it but there's something different now.

He doesn't feel embarrassed anymore. He feels proud.

And honestly, so do I.

And I am buzzing to join him every step of the way so I can be there at the start line of his first ever park run

This is my little love letter to anyone who's been waiting to start because it feels too late, too hard, or too bloody cold. My dad is proof it's never too late to stop letting fear keep you stuck.

If you fancy joining us, there's a 0-5k plan in the app which you can join today with a 7 day free trial.

Two runs a week. That's it. By New Year you'll be hitting your first 5kms and maybe joining us on our Park Run :)

Breathless, swearing, and proud as hell

JOIN BITS - 0-5k BEGINNER PLAN INSIDE

And if you feel you need additional support and your own accountability buddy to see your training goals through? Check out our 1-1 coaching here

We’d love to support you kick the tits out of the remainder of the year

Big love

Rachel