Two Sunday's ago the Government suggested that the over seventies should isolate and stay at home. I heard this whilst listening to Radio 5. My immediate reaction was indignation, to think that the Government labelled me as a helpless old codger. So I did something I've never done before.
As a rather kneejerk reaction I sent an angry text to Radio 5 stating that myself and others in my age group are healthy, fit, not obese, we don't smoke and we run marathons. "DO THEY MEAN US" I pushed the send button before I realised I hadn't given my name but a few hours later my phone rang. The screen said No caller id. I soon found out. "Hello sir, BBC Radio 5 here, would you like to be on the Morning Show with Nicky Campbell tomorrow, we like to talk to you and would it be possible to also talk to one of your children if you have any."
After slight hesitation I said yes and after consulting my son who also agreed to be on air it was arranged, after a few formalities, (they had to ask my name etc) for the BBC to call both of us after 8am the next morning. At 8.15 a Radio 5 technician phoned and asked me to switch onto Facetime and wait for Nicky Campbell to speak to me. They could see me but I couldn't see them so I conducted the interview looking at myself on my phone. The problem was I came down with a heavy cold and cough during the night and just managed to hold it together whilst on air. The point of it all was the fact that at 72 years old I was still in a fit condition and training for the London Marathon and other races. Nicky and I exchanged our marathon pb's and I was disappointed to hear he is 11 minutes quicker than me but as he pointed out he was 42 at the time whereas I was 58 when I did 3.30.53. He chatted with my son Chris and to be honest I've forgotten the details of what was said but basically it was about oldies being fit and healthy although I must point out I don't regard myself as being an "oldie" by a long long shot.
The chat ended with Nicky saying thanks Keith we'll speak again. What did he mean by that? Is he going to call me after this year's London Marathon to see how I got on. Watch this space. Anyway it looks like I've had my 15 minutes of fame even though that was squeezed into a 2 or 3 minute slot on radio.
The irony of this situation is the fact that after telling the nation that although I'm over seventy and that my gym has recently calculated my biological age as 42 I have actually become a non-runner due to this cold and cough which has persisted for nearly a fortnight. I've not had the symptoms of Covid-19 but haven't ventured from the house as a precaution.
That's been my post-parkrun-closedown experience but I hope the rest of you are maintaining your fitness and managing the occasional run but keeping to Government advice.
