A new PB and a few tears!

[RebeccaSK]

As many of you know, I have been doing my closest parkrun recently - which is a very challenging one - steep, long hills and slippy leaves and mud! I've done this particular parkrun three times now - improving my time each week.

So, you lot don't know, but in the week a dear friend of mine passed away suddenly from lung cancer. Diagnosed only three weeks ago with an extremely aggressive form, she deteriorated before our eyes. On Tuesday they said there was no point in starting chemo as planned as her body was too weak. On Wednesday night she passed away. None of us expected it to happen that quickly. She was brave, dignified and inspirational in what she achieved in her short life - she was 40 only a few weeks ago.

So, this morning, I decided my run would be for Shannon. I walked less of the uphill than ever before - although I pushed myself a bit too hard at one point. When it got tough, I dug deep and kept going. Of 458 Parkruns measured, Clair, my parkrun, is the 439 hilliest! I smashed my PB (from last week) by 90 seconds - 40.17.

I was too exhausted to be emotional when I finished. I know Shannon would be proud. That's enough for me.

[Martin_Rose Graduate]

Well done on the run, I'm really sorry to hear about the loss of your friend. X

[RebeccaSK Graduate in reply to Martin_Rose]

Thank you - she will be missed by so many

[Cornet-Carolyn Graduate]

What a great achievement for your friend. Proud moment 🥇

[ejvcruns Graduate]

Dear Rebecca, my best friend Ruth died at age 35, 14 years ago in March, of aggressive cancer -- so aggressive she didn't have the chance to tell me about it (we used to see each other every few weeks at that time since we lived in different towns). One day her boyfriend answered her phone and told me she was gone... I was thinking about her just today, as I often do. I know you will think about and remember Shannon in many different ways in the years to come. We are all here such a short time, we need to value each day and the life we live. Congratulations to you for taking steps to improve the time you have on earth, I know Shannon would be proud too.

[rolysmate Graduate]

So very sorry for the loss of your friend and sadly oh so young but it sounds as though you gained great inspiration from her and did her proud today

Please accept a warm hug and a big squeeze to say well done

[RebeccaSK Graduate in reply to rolysmate]

She was an animal rescuer. She fought for those who couldn't speak for themselves and today I did the same thing. Thanks rolysmate - I will graciously accept the hug x

[Kjbobo in reply to RebeccaSK]

She sounds like an incredible and inspirational woman. I'd like to think she's in heaven now surrounded by puppies giving her kisses 😊 x

[RebeccaSK Graduate in reply to Kjbobo]

That's what we all think - right now she is being jumped on by cats and dogs whose lives she changed xxx

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate]

Aw, Rebecca, what heart felt post....I’m so sorry for your loss & you’re right, she would be proud of you, without a doubt....big virtual hug coming your way xxx

[RebeccaSK Graduate in reply to Mummycav]

If she was anywhere near as proud as me as we all are of her, I can never ask for anything again. What she achieved for animals was amazing.

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate in reply to RebeccaSK]

❤️❤️❤️ that’s absolutely lovely xx

[Kimterry Graduate]

So very sorry to hear about the loss of your friend. I would just like to echo what's already been said - she inspired you and you did her proud

[CB27LJ10]

Thats some achievement hun so very sorry to hear about your friend, she would be so proud I'm sure..sending huge hugs x

[RebeccaSK Graduate in reply to CB27LJ10]

Thank you. And, for the record, I'm proud of you for sticking with it x

[Charlottefc87 Graduate]

I am so very sorry, sadly I have seen cancer take away too many lives far too soon. I have no doubt she was with you every step of the way, marvelling at how incredible her dear friend is x

[RebeccaSK Graduate in reply to Charlottefc87]

She was very proud of my running journey - it seemed only appropriate that I ran for her today x

[EleanorL Graduate]

Rebecca, thank you for sharing such a heartfelt post. I am sure that your friend would be very proud of you.

I am sending a vertual hug your way xx

[RebeccaSK Graduate in reply to EleanorL]

Thank you - hug gratefully accepted x

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

A wonderful tribute of love.

My best friend Shirley died at 40 from Cancer.... I ran, then, the only public race I have ever run...for her I was not even a runner then

Very, very well done....

Love Flossx

[RebeccaSK Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

She was very special Floss. I'm a mad animal lover and so was she. She saved hundreds and hundreds of animals lives and, if you believe there is something, somewhere, after death then I know she is currently being jumped on by all the animals whose rescue she facilitated and who she found homes for. That makes me smile.

[Sandraj39 Graduate]

So sorry for your loss - a lovely tribute to your dear friend.x

[RebeccaSK Graduate in reply to Sandraj39]

Thank you x

[lardofale Graduate]

What an inspirational yet heartbreaking post. Well done for getting through the run in such testing circumstances. Cancer is the scourge of humanity, a big 👏 from me and a huge cyber hug ☺

[RebeccaSK Graduate in reply to lardofale]

Thank you x

[Hidden]

Oh Rebecca how so very sad for you. This horrid disease touches so many of our nearest and dearest and we always hope they can survive. One thing clear from your post is how much Shannon meant to you - it shines through in your words and of course in your actions today with your pb. Words can't always convey what we feel, but I think your run today showcases the best of you and your great love for your inspirational friend.

Big hugs from Italy, well done for doing the run, even though every step must have been so hard for you.

[RebeccaSK Graduate in reply to Hidden]

The tears and the sadness are involuntary but, actually, more than anything else I feel so lucky to have counted her as a friend. I feel happy. I cannot help but smile when I think of her. All the pictures posted of her on Facebook recently are of her with animals she has rescued, orphaned kittens she is hand rearing or animals in the new homes she found for them. I am glad she was free of her pain. She was diagnosed whilst in hospital after being admitted for mysterious pain and never left. She will be missed by so, so many but I feel so privileged to have known her.

[DBlou]

So sad and difficult for you, your friend would be proud of your run. Sending gentle hugs xxx

[Fishypieface Graduate]

I have a few tears in my eyes reading this. Your friend would be so proud of you, as you are of her. x

[Theziggy Graduate]

So sorry to hear of your loss.

[RebeccaSK Graduate]

So sorry to hear this. Presumably she's not running pending surgery? Let's hope she gets the treatment she needs ASAP and life begins to get back to normal x

[Sadie-runs Graduate]

Oh Rebecca, I am so sorry for your loss. She sounds like an amazing woman. And well done on your run, it must have been an emotional one for you. Big hug. x