Day Five: Brathay 10 marathons in 10 10 days: a tribute to the late David Elms and John Dawson

‘Climbing up on Solsbury Hill

I could see the City lights

Wind was blowing, time stood still

Eagle flew out of the night

He was something to observe

Came in close, I heard a voice

Standing stretching every nerve

Had to listen had no choice

I did not believe the information

I just had to trust imagination

My heart going boom boom boom

Son he said grab your things

I’ve come to take you home’

(Peter Gabriel) – and dedicated to David Elms

This is an intentionally short blog after day five of the Brathay 10 marathons in 10 days challenge.

It’s short not because I am tired (I am) but because I have little to say. Yes, I ran my quickest time and I enjoyed the hailstones but I have other things on my mind.

I ran today for two special people – one past and one present. And not a moment passed on the course without me thinking of them.

The first is the late David Elms – a man who made a big mark on my life and an even bigger mark on others. He was a man hewn from the proverbial rocks of Gibraltar – a man of fierce independence who called a spade a spade but had a heart of gold. He is much missed by me, much missed by my dear friend and work colleague Helen Loveless and of course much missed by all in the financial services industry.

David, I hope you are looking down and smiling at the crazy thing – Brathay 10 in 10 – I am doing and enjoyed watching a fat ginga attempt to run up hills that tractors dare not take on.

The second is John Dawson who last year ran the Brathay10in10 at the age of 73 (he also completed it in 2007). John came to cheer us on today – and to just stand in his presence for a minute provided enough inspiration to get me through the day’s physical challenge. Not only did John complete the Brathay 10in10 challenge at the age of 73 but he did it while suffering from bowel cancer. Such feats of physical endurance put everything in life into perspective.

A few little bits and pieces before I go off to be stretched and share an ice bath with the thong wearing Jim Meta.

If you fancy donating to this splendid charity, please do so via www.justgiving.com/jeff-prestridge

If you want to watch video footage of the Brathay10in10, visit www.cumbrialive.tc/brathay10in10

And if you fancy following my progress on twitter please do so.

Love to all.