19/08/2024
This post will be seen by some wonderful people who will have fond and special memories of our incredible little community we built and I know it’s been a while but you are our people!
Many of you know Uel. The most incredible man who very much looked after some of us when the mountain seemed too hard to climb. A man who inspired us when we met on cold wet evenings and continues to inspire us now!
In the link shared one of the loveliest things Uel wrote back in 2017 was “the real big deal is that we’re all just runners and we’ve accomplished a lot, an awful lot”
What a quote - and what a truth!
In 3 weeks Julie & I will join Uel at the start line of the Great North Run Half Marathon
On that day we will run as a family that you were all part of at some stage. If you can donate to Uel’s page it would mean so so much to each of us.
Lots of love
Coach
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Uel-Dougherty?utm_medium=proxy_fundraising&utm_content=Uel-Dougherty&utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=pfp-share&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3S9KOv9zXCq94P-3ZK1kHbMC64NEFGsOYujxZw13ike5pdyhuXuUGOruk_aem_7Vjji_SjmXi82eFb1BpPYQ&ai=
Today we asked Uel
Q- What is it like to be one of so few males in a largely female running group
A- When I first thought about joining Jog Off I did ask if it was a female only group. Open to everyone, was the reply, but there are only two men at the moment. Fast forward 18 months and there are 4 men (I think, because we never all seem to be there on the same night) and many, many more females.
So. What’s it like being one of so few males in a largely female group? Cue the stereotypes, jokes, innuendo.
In truth, as in any similar situation, the answer depends on the individuals in the group.
What I can say is that I feel privileged to be part of this bunch of runners. I never cease to be inspired and motivated by their enthusiasm and willingness to work for each other. Nobody is ever left behind. Each of them is talented and all of them are focused on improving themselves and helping others to do the same.
There are certainly interesting moments when I’m reminded I’m the only boy. I’m not good at knowing how sports bras work (that’s my story and I’m sticking to it), and I’m not good at social media. And don’t even mention the selfies!
For me, being in a mostly female group isn’t a big deal. The real big deal is that we’re all just runners and we’ve accomplished a lot, an awful lot, in a short amount of time. Now we’re talking about half-marathons. Really?
Did I mention the social aspect? Or the charity work? We’ll leave that for another day. All I know is that I’m still there and I’m still running. Thanks girls. Oh! And boys.
