Why Me? [II]

In 1992 I was attending a fire call on local common land. Whilst carrying a pump my foot slipped into a pot-hole and I twisted my knee. I had been through five operations on my knees to that point. This injury was one too many and I retired from the fire service on health grounds. Whilst I was waiting for my official retirement date, I took a part time job in a local swimming pool as a life guard, where I made a whole new group of friends and acquaintances.

Following my official retirement, I used some of my pension to fund my RSA Fitness Teachers qualifications. By the end of 1992 I was a qualified Fitness Instructor and full time pool attendant. To celebrate Christmas, the staff had planned to have a drink together in a local bar after closing on Christmas Eve and I would meet them there after clearing up. When I reached the bar it was packed full to the doors so I walked past. One of my friends, Chris, saw me through the window, came out to get me and I joined the group. Also in the bar were members of the local newspaper editorial team, one of whom was a friend of mine from years back. After "a few too many", Nigel asked me if I would be interested in running a fitness programme for the local paper and in conjunction with the local sports centre. I obviously said yes, "elephants in the distance" etc.

To my surprise, in January Nigel contacted me and, following a couple of meetings, "Spring into Summer" 1993 was created. 65 people came on our fitness programme. Some dropped out, most stayed on for the full twelve weeks. One of the survivors was Sara, a quiet lady but nonetheless determined to run three miles without stopping. In July of 1997 Sara and I were married. In September of 2001 Sara finished the Great North Run [13.1 miles] 10 minutes before I did!