Day Six: Brathay 10in10 challenge. Thoughts after a tough day in the sun

‘Birds fly over the rainbow
Why then, oh why can't I?
If happy little bluebirds fly beyond the rainbow
Why, oh why can't I?

Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high
There's a land that I've heard of once in a lullaby.
Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue
And the dreams that you dare to dream,
Really do come true.

Someday I'll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far behind me.
Where troubles melt like lemon drops,
High above the chimney tops,
That's where you'll find me.’

(Eva Cassidy, over the rainbow – one of Penny Perkins’ all-time favourite songs)

ONE of the first half marathons I ever did was back in the late 1980s – the Paddock Wood in Kent. I remember it vividly for a number of reasons.

I had spent the previous day down in Cardiff watching a Five Nations (as then) rugby international between Wales and England. I remember little of the day, match or return home train journey but I vaguely recollect that Wales won, I didn’t know who I was by the end of the day and that I was assaulted most of the way home (verbally and physically) by my school mate Alan Perkins (six foot seven and a tiger when filled with gallons of Brains bitter).

Within six hours of going to bed (which resembled a night on a ferry in the middle of a raging Bay of Biscay)   I was up bright and breezy to compete in the Paddock Half. Alan, who had invited me to run, had conveniently been called into work – he was a transport policeman – which left me to start the race with his delightful wife Penny.

The less said about the run, the better. But I do remember thinking at mile six that I would never ever do another half marathon. At mile seven Penny waltzed past me full of the joys of spring. I think she finished the race at least 45 minutes ahead of me.

I say all this because my dear ‘brained’ friend Alan kindly donated £100 today on my website www.justgiving.com/jeff-prestridge. Sadly and tragically, the wonderfully kind Penny is now only with us in spirit. She died earlier this year after a fight and a half (a battle royale) with cancer.

Penny was one of the kindest individuals I have ever had the privilege to meet. She could not say a bad word about anyone (even me!)  She saw good in everyone she came into contact with and she was as sharp as they come. You underestimated Penny at your peril – she had an intellect that even Einstein would have been proud of.

I was fortunate enough to spend some time with Penny in the last hours of her life at a hospice in Hertfordshire. She was heroic to the end – and she is a hero of mine and will be for the rest of my life.

As for her children Jack (training to be an actuary) and the stunning Beccy (a budding marine biologist), they keep the Perkins flag flying proudly. If Jack makes it and becomes an actuary, he will be the first one to qualify with a sense of humour and a joie de vivre. As for Alan, he’s a man who is loyal to his friends (he’s suffered my moods for years and still comes back for more) and who is bereft at the loss of his princess.

As I ran today, struggling against all kinds of mind games and physical niggles (aching back, brick like quads, tight hamstrings) I know that Penny was watching. And as I stumbled/sprinted/hobbled over the finishing line in the disreputable time of 4.47, I smiled like a bright night star. Why? Because I know Penny would have wanted me to smile (she would have smiled herself).

More importantly, I know Penny Perkins would have been mighty proud of me for taking on such a crazy challenge and getting to the end of day six with most body parts working.

Penny, my darling, your spirit lives on. And if I get to finish the Brathay 10 in 10 on Sunday, I will do one thing. As I collapse over the finishing line, I will look upwards to the heavens and smile like crazy. FOR YOU.