Back in February I did one of those things that we all do at the time and press a button and say yes but later on kick yourself for doing it. I can even remember where I was when I said yes. I wanted to do something to remember a very inspirational young man called Jordan Burndred who passed away in October 2014 whilst on a family holiday. What Jordan’s family went through, and still are, is horrendous, and as parents that have outlived their children we can sympathise with their pain.
In the wake of Jordan’s death we set up the Jordan Burndred Memorial Fund with CRY. Even though I have been involved in various fundraising I wanted something to push myself and completely destroy my boundaries and challenges I have everyday.
So the Great North Run it was. Too many evenings walking, then slowly running the streets (mainly in the dark so no one can see me) to purchasing a treadmill which may I say makes an excellent place to dry laundry.
Leading up to the race my training was going well until two weeks before I busted my ankle resulting in a trip to A&E. To hear the health professionals say “no it’s not broken (yippee) but I would advise against doing the Great North Run”. Who was I and when did I start listening to other people? I pushed myself beyond, confident that my determination would get me through. Race morning came, I didn’t sleep much the night before. I got to the race pens and thought “oh my word this is it. No going back now!” The crowds along the way were amazing and when I had my emotional wobble around the 11 mile mark I remember this fellow runner coming up to me and supporting me by saying “you’re doing better than the couch potatoes at home”.
Somewhere from deep inside I found the grit and determination to carry my heavy legs home to the finish line. Crossing the line was an emotional rollercoaster from tears of joy to tears of pain to those words never again. This is when I looked up in the sky and smiled at Jordan. I did this for you beut, see you on the other side.
Kerry Davies
