Tim's Run, Mid USA

[Irish-John]

The photo shows the spot where, on June 1st 2016, I completed Day One, Week One.

Doubled over and feeling like my lungs were the size of shriveled balloons, a blue tinge- according to a concerned passerby - around my eyes and lips and my lizard brain trying to get my body to draw in oxygen through both ends...

No way would I ever be able to run 5k! I was 56, two forms of asthma, a forty year history of heavy smoking only 3 years in my past, screwed footbones and about fifty pounds overweight...heck, I'd never run more than a few hundred paces in my life!

HOWEVER - Tim and those like Tim showed me the way past this representative point - one amazing day just five years later 26.2 miles past even - in distance, time, health, comfort and so much enjoyment as a result.

I, and many more, owe him a huge debt of gratitude. A rock when it came to encouraging, supporting and mentoring those of us who "could never run" - and a heck of a nice guy as well.

To say Tim will be missed is inadequate - rather, a great part of our running universe is no more.

Thank you Tim. Rest In Peace VRB.

[linda9389 Graduate]

Very well put IJ 💙

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to linda9389]

Thank you Linda

[MrsLydiaWickham Graduate]

Incredible to see where it all started for you. A brilliant tribute.

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to MrsLydiaWickham]

Thank you MLW. Tim will be missed by all who knew him. I had so much respect for him as an Admin, a Runner and a decent human being.

[Dexy5 Graduate]

I was waiting for this one - Well done Irish-John.

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to Dexy5]

Thank you Dexy. (if in a bit of a puzzled way?)

[Dexy5 Graduate in reply to Irish-John]

I just knew that we would hear from you from across the Atlantic. Happy Thanksgiving. A bit late.

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to Dexy5]

lol, now I understand Thanks again D

[Cantstopmenow Graduate]

Wonderful tribute x

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to Cantstopmenow]

Thank you Csmn. I hope it brings some comfort to Tim's family. So many people here attesting to his wonderful character, and the literally life- changing role he played in our lives.

[FriendofRondo Graduate]

Your description of yourself at the start of C25K made me laugh - so many of us have been in that state! A lovely tribute.

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to FriendofRondo]

It just doesn't seem 'real' even now. Six years later and so many events where I made it to the finish line, and even on the run for Tim this morning I felt like it would all come to a crashing end in the first 'toxic fifteen' minutes. If Tim is in an existence where he can look down on us - he must have been smiling for that quarter of an hour, and then cheering me on for the rest of his run

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

Well said John

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thank you W&S.

[JoP61 Graduate]

Hey IJ, You were another inspiration for me when completing C25K. Ex-smoker, never exercised etc.

Anyway, here we are all are celebrating Tim's fantastic contribution to getting us to where we are today 😀

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to JoP61]

Thank you J.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Says it all ! xxx

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Thank you Floss.

[Birdlady64 Graduate]

Just the perfect tribute Irish-John ! And yes, it made me smile 😃

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to Birdlady64]

Thank you B64

[DocEmmett Graduate]

Tremendous tribute Irish-John. Expertly composed.

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to DocEmmett]

Thank you Doc.

[LottieMW Graduate]

Well said IJ 💕

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to LottieMW]

Thank you Lottie

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate]

Good to see a picture of your park John, without any dogs or prams on it!

Great to hear from you and hope you keep running and smiling💜

🏃‍♂️xxx

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Pouring rain and cold today Blue - only one dogwalker present, and it was well behaved. Hadn't run in the Park in probably close on a year or more...but, felt it was appropriate to go to where it began, and as objectively as possible appreciate how far I've come with Tim's help.