A new home for an old blouse

So as regular readers of my Subversive Pirate mates blog might know, I am not averse to providing a bit of constructive advise that sometimes careers into the vernacular.. I make no apologies, I do try to moderate my language for the many hundreds of faint hearted and sensitive types that his cracking blog attracts, but sometimes something irks me that I cannot confine to the norms of polite conversation. On more than one occasion I have had to refocus the bloke when he forgets for a moment who he is and starts behaving and writing like some wittering nappy wearing show boat who would be better placed as an agony Aunt for incontinent day time television viewers than in his privileged position as spokesman for the running,drinking and boxing fraternity. On at least 1 occasion I have had to call him a Soft Cock Pommy Blouse.. Now since his efforts in this years 2009 race where he not only removed a dreaded three letter acronym from the lexicon of his life but also badgered the earth moving behemoth that is Martin Hooper the Paratrooper to within 5 miles of the finish the Blouse needs a new home, because on the back of my leaned friend it has no place !

And unfortunately dear reader I think I have found it.. Now I will not name names, but I will recount the story of my weekend, where I was trying to get back out on the track after a few weeks of fighting a bit of a cracking cough (not piggy related !!) So the run was teed up, timings and route confirmed and despite the fact that I was coughing up buckets of gunk it was all systems go.. Now my friend (or lets just call him the Blouse Wearer or BW from now on) is no stranger to a bit of running so I went to bed safe in the knowledge that no matter what happened overnight we would be out at 8:45 for a little lazy 5 miler up Costorphine Hill

I woke the next morning to the sound of rain on the window, and must admit I had to convince myself that it was a good idea... Always easier when you know you have someone to meet.. Turn on my phone to send the "Just leaving house" text as agreed to find a message from BW "Too wet, going back to bed " WTF ?? I texted back with the best wishes on his sleep in and hope that his knitting went well..

I did my run, coughing up more gunk every 400m or so, but up the Hill - surprisingly dry and a balmy 14C - I went and rhen back home.. I too went back to bed, for coffee and papers and not a knitting needle in sight ! It was great to get back on the track, running is good !!

So the Blouse has definitely come north...

Am off to Birmingham tomorrow eve, where if the rain clears I will hopefully be watching the Aussies level the Ashes series ... 5 days (or maybe 4 ??), a few mates, cricket and beer... Sensational !!

A pause

Our family, were there
At my shoulder, by my side
From near, and far
Even via Escort car
Some could not make it
But were there in heart...
The leaders of the pack, the ones we revere, because though so far in front
They never disapppear...
The ones in the middle, and those at the back
My family, our family
And his family we had never met..
One man , who meant so much to so many
And the message he has left
Will always be
More than a memory
If our days are indeed numbered,
And we have but a few,
Then it is fortunate indeed to spend time
With one such as you.
Tonight there is no smile
As hard as I try
Tonight there is but sorrow
at this shared loss of mine
Tomorrow is different
The dawn always renews
But tonight is for sorrow
It is for sorrow..

Dario

Like all of the West Highland Way Race family and the wider running community I am still coming to terms with the loss of Dario Melaragni on Sunday 12th of June. I was away on holiday and came back from dinner and saw I had 2 missed calls - one from Dave and one from DQ.. I immediately knew something was up.. Dave had left a voice mail and I was sitting there on the sofa, tears streaming down my face as I listened to the details.. Shirl asked me what was the matter and I really struggled to tell her.. After speaking to Dave and DQ, my thoughts turned to his family, and also to those who were with him, running the hills on that day.. I know that they all did everything possible to save our friend and really feel for them..

So many words and tributes have been written to the great man, he touched the lives of so many people.. If you read any or all of the messages there is a common theme.. It is always "Dario encouraged me when I first wanted to race the WHW" or "He was a great inspiration and always offered me great advice", "He loved seeing people finish", "I really enjoyed talking to him about the race, and about how he felt it could be improved" etc etc

And that was the thing, he gave and gave and for each person he had something different.. I will always remember him wrapped up against the midges in a bright yellow outfit at Rowardennon looking like some sort of being from out of space, asking how I was going.. I will remember him at the end of the race in 2008 when Jim Robertson, Tony Gilmour and I finished up - he was just so happy to see Big Jim make it to the end.. I will miss the email banter we shared, and how he would laugh at some wisecrack or the other..

I was so fortunate to get my goblet from Dario at Ian and Alibea's barby.. How many people has he made feel so good as they shook his hand ... Look at the smile on that face, who was happier ?


What a truly wonderful and inspiring man, one who I feel so privileged to have known. To Gilian and his sisters Alida and Diana, my deepest sympathies..

Dario - rest in peace mate..

I never ran with you
But our family has
We never shared a meal, but had a beer or 2
Your family I have never met
Such a brief friendship, but I have known you all of this life,
And now every step of every mile, every stone, rock and stile
Up the staircase, or before Beinglas,
Somewhere touching the sky
When the rain clears, and the sun shines
On the Way,
You will be there and I will smile ..

Relax

Time to put my feet up, recharge the body and mind and enjoy playing with the kids and swimming, and drinking beer and eating lots, and enjoying the beach and going out with Shirl and chatting with Mum and Dad and that's about it ... And do some thinking of course..

Cheers

KH