Stockholm - it was a long time coming 🦅
Why a run with my son meant so much and what does it mean for you?
In 2008 I ran the Edinburgh marathon for the challenge of conquering the distance and to raise money for CHAS - the Children's Hospice Association of Scotland. It was a brilliant and extremely challenging experience. The thought of presenting a cheque to the hospice was one thing that kept me going. The other was the thought of what I wanted to do next.
My next running goal was to complete the Stockholm marathon. I was excited to run in a different country and around a beautiful city I had always wanted to visit.
Neither thing happened. I am yet to run a 2nd marathon and until last European summer I had not visited Stockholm.
Due to the global pandemic, I had also missed spending time with my son Tom who lives in England whilst we live in Australia. In January 2022, Tom had briefly joined us to help clear 631 (the property after which my business is named):
when my mom passed away. That was hardly fun and we worked so hard there was little time to enjoy each other's company.Â
When our 7 month trip through the UK, Europe and the US was confirmed, one experience I was determined to have was a short European break with Tom. We decided to go to a city neither of us had previously visited. Stockholm came top of the list.
My middle daughter Lucy decided to come too.
From start to finish, the time we spent together in this beautiful city was fabulous. The weather was warm and sunny and we took the opportunity to walk for miles and see as much of the city as we could on foot.Â
I had caught Covid in January 2022, not long after my mom passed away and before coming to the UK to clear out 631. As soon as I got back to Australia I started to get heart problems which, after a challenging period of 4 months was diagnosed as long Covid - my body had never properly recovered and got rid of all the bad bacteria. This bad bacteria was imitating my heart muscle and causing me all sorts of problems. On the morning of the day we flew in mid June I had my ‘stress test’ and was finally cleared to run again. I started jogging in the UK and was ready to run by the time we got to Sweden.
Meanwhile Tom developed into a very strong runner and now an ironman. He took me out for my first run of 2022 when we were back in Balsall Common, going past 631 on our route. It was hard and emotional being with Tom in the town where I grew up and where my parents had lived for 50 years. As we ran past 631 we said goodbye to the place that held so many powerful memories. It was poignant to say the least.
We decided to go out running together in Stockholm. This was also hugely meaningful and symbolic to me.Â
Firstly, it may not have been a marathon but it was special.
Running in this beautiful city had remained a goal and running with my son brings us so much pleasure after being apart for so long. In itself, being able to run again after more than 5 months of health issues and concerns was fabulous. I was out of shape and way off my best but even so running helps me think, helps me create and gives me energy (not at the time!!). I find running a creative state and one that I missed more than I realised.
My learnings:
Carpe Diem - seize the day and ensure you stay present and maximise the moment.
Do what you love as often as you can! You just never know.
Keep a hold of your dreams and goals. Sometimes they may change or you may need to adapt them but keep them alive. Sweden happened……eventually and not in the way I expected. However, it happened.
Have someone who keeps you accountable. In this case, it is Tom. If he wasn't with me, would I have run at all? Would I have pushed myself and run a decent distance? Would I have found short-cuts?Â
Decide - commit - go! Be #allin 🦅
As Leona says 'let's not put things on our bucket list, let's put them in the diary.'
Create as many special memories as often as you can.
Remember where you came from and all you have learnt on your journey so far.
Whilst remembering the past, keep moving forward #sempreavanti 🦅