Dean Leahy

The reason why

I waited 9 years after my first son, Charlie, was born to get back to doing any real exercise.

In that 9 years, I had kept busy, 2 wonderful kids, Charlie and Hudson 6, beautiful wife, it was a life where we were always busy and active but I wasn’t fit. Fitness wasn’t a priority to me, I didn’t have time, as the kids have got older and I have too, life becomes tougher and that’s when I decided enough was enough. It was time to get back and get fit!!!!

I was never a runner, had no time to get to the gym regularly so thought what can I do? That’s when I discovered the couch to 5k app. It puts you through your paces, starting steady and getting progressively harder until week 7/8 when I was running 25mins straight, close to 5km.

Back before we had children, we went through some very hard times and we lost 2 pregnancies at different stages. Over 10 years later and with 2 wonderful boys with us, the pain of pregnancy loss never ever leaves you. It still fills me with sadness today when I think back to those dark days and wonder what could have been.

That’s why when I saw the opportunity to give something back and saw the advert to run 50km throughout the month of May, for the charity Sands, it was time to dig out those dusty, old trainers as it was an opportunity that I didn’t want to miss out on.

It was my chance over 10 years later to not let those dark days, that we went through, disappear and not be forgotten.

To all of you who have sponsored me I appreciate it hugely, but I wanted you to know why I took this chance to give something back to a time in my life that shouldn’t be forgotten, however hard it may be.

For those who have also experienced pregnancy or young baby loss, I’m doing it for all of them and if I can lend an ear then I’ll be happy to be here for you too.

Many thanks to all