I completed the Chester Half Marathon both to honour my brother who died last May, aged 25, and as something I could do to remember him, that was completely personal.
I chose to do a half marathon because I know Dan (left) would have loved the idea of me going through the pain, as he was a personal trainer. I also chose to do it in Chester as that is where Dan was born. Coincidentally, the date of 18th May happened to be soon after the one year anniversary of his passing.
It was an emotional experience and was exactly what I had wanted. It was hard and testing but also individual. A connection between my brother and me. No-one else could share this experience with me, because no-one else shared Dan as a brother.
Yes, family and friends were very supportive – as were people who shouted support as I ran by on the day – but in the end it was about Dan and I and no-one else.
I ran on behalf of CRY because Dan died of a heart attack that was completely out of the blue – one moment he was here, the next he was gone. I have found reading through testimonies and accounts on both the CRY website and in the information I have been sent, comforting and helpful.
To date I have raised over £400 and people continue to donate: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/alrunninginmemoryofdan. The knowledge that this will make a difference to someone is uplifting.
I would recommend that anyone who has suffered the same agony as me, considers doing something like this. Not necessarily a run, but something you know they would have appreciated and that you can do as a personal one-to-one memory.
As for me, I think I will continue to run, as I know Dan would have remarked at my time of 2 hours and 19 minutes that it was okay but that I can do better than that.
If you do consider doing something like this for your lost loved one, then I would warn that the finish is a highly emotional moment and to be as best prepared as you can for it.
Alastair Taylor
