I made RunDemCrew part of my weekly routine in November 2012 and luckily the Mayans apocalypse theory didn’t strike otherwise I would’ve definitely been kicking myself in the next life for joining so late. Rundem is amazingly therapeutic for me- the positive energy from everyone radiates through the 1948 building every Tuesday that combined with the runs through the city help to lift prevailing woes as well allowing me to reflect on where i’m at mentally and otherwise. In my early (hare/greyhound) days the casual conversations of 10k’s, half marathons and marathons used to crop up to which I used to congratulate the bravery while casually changing the topic of conversation because it didn’t even cross my mind that i’d be involved in any of that ‘silliness’. Fast forward a few weeks to one December housekeeping when Charlie lets us know that marathon places have come up for under 25s and the youngers project. He turns to me… before he had time to say my name, ‘No bruv’ fitted with an ‘are you crazy’ facial expression… Similar exchanges were had in the week or two following, reason being the marathon was somewhere in the far cloudy distance and it seemed impossible to envision myself venturing anywhere close. Saying that, the idea then started to drift in and out my thoughts throughout the week- there was some deliberating, a lot of self-questioning and some egging on from my younger, faster brother. I agreed the following week in front of Charlie and a room full of wide eyed crew members- ‘go on then i’ll do it’- que the applause and a feeling of disbelief in what i’d just verbally signed up for.