What a ride

Today I have run a 10K after a very kind invitation from the Race Director that said I could have a place "as a Torchbearer, Olympic Volunteer plus you're a good chap in the bargain"

Well here I am at blip number 365. It really just started off as an aide memoire for me to be able to remember what I knew would be a memorable year. The highlights were better than I could ever dream. The lowlights; well they just made the highlights even better.

So here is my review of 2012 (something I am only able to because of blip: otherwise I wouldn't remember)

January
Marathon training was in full flow, with 4 planned for 2012. This would later become zero. A Fire tragedy in the village caused the deaths of 4 siblings. The year ended with a man being charged with their murders. One of my early photos of a sunset over the Irish Sea is still one of my favourites. I had a health scare that turned out to be okay.

February
We got a new car. I had my first Gamesmaker training day. HRH Prince Edward visited my workplace and I met him. Marathon training was going well, until I became ill with Anxiety and Depression. Radio Lancashire interviewed me about being a Torch bearer and, Gamesmaker. I received a call from a Press Agency which was compiling press releases about Torchbearers.

March.
I had a rough time with mental illness. I didn't complete first marathon in Blackpool, and decided against doing London. I met a man who set a world record for a marathon whilst wearing a straitjacket. Final confirmation of being an Olympic Torchbearer arrived, after knowing since the previous November. Sunbathing! In March! There was fuel panic buying because there may have been a tanker driver strike.

April
The nation commemorated 30 years since The Falklands conflict. We had a collective run with lots of local clubs to remember a good friend who passed away. I had a tooth out. Fleetwood Town were promoted to The Football League and AFC Fylde became champions of the Evostik League. The intended 4 marathons became none when I realised it just wasn't going to happen for me this year. Gamesmaker training took me to The Olympic Stadium. I was diagnosed with a hernia that needed surgery. Preston was on National TV as The Easter Passion was broadcast from there as part of Preston Guild.

May
More Gamesmaker training, this time inside the Olympic Stadium, and on the warm up track. We celebrated 20 years in our home. The Olympic Flame arrived in Britain. Blackpool missed out on a return to The Premiership, losing the Playoff Final. I got back to work after 10 weeks off sick. Test drilling for shale gas (fracking) continued on The Fylde.

June
The cat vanished for 4 days. The nation celebrated Her Majesty's Diamond Jubilee. England were in The Euro 2012 Championships (but not for long!) Elton John performed on Blackpool Prom but had to cut it short due to gale force winds. I carried The Torch and even now writing his it is giving me goosebumps. I seemed to tour the world with The Torch for people to enjoy it. Around 2000 people have held it since I carried it.

July
The annual Manchester to Blackpool bike ride took place in bright sunshine. I'm going to do it in 2013. The Open Golf at Royal Lytham St Anne's. We had a fantastic holiday in The New Forest. The Olympic Games! A lifetime of memories, some of which are recorded on blip

August
The Games continued and I visited Radio Lancashire to talk about it. I had surgery for a hernia repair. Adam got his brilliant GCSE results.

September
The Preston Guild of 2012 took place. We celebrated our Silver Wedding, and my parents' Golden Wedding. Adam started Sixth Form. The Paralympics were amazing.

October
We celebrated Adam's 17th birthday. A brilliant weekend commentating for The Kielder Marathon. I ran my first 10K since my operation, and changed running clubs. I played a samba drum! I officiated at the Preston Guild Marathon

November.
I grew a moustache for Movember to raise awareness of men's' cancers. AFC Fylde played in the first round proper of The FA Cup. Sir Bradley Wiggins was knocked off his bike. I tried aqua jogging for the first time. It's harder work than it looks! BBC radio celebrated 90 years. I received the DVD of The Paralympics in the post, in an unexpected and wonderful act of kindness. My first trip to London since The Olympics gave me an opportunity to see the Christmas decorations in Covent Garden. I clocked up my 49th year

December.
We took our old wardrobes out ready for new ones. We got a new cooker. The world did not end on 21st December!

Olympians and Paralympians were well represented in The New Year's Honours List, but once again I was overlooked.......

I got this far and I thank you all for your kindness over the last year. I particularly want to thank Runhills for suggesting blip as a way I could record this most incredible year (although with the length of this blip he may be regretting it now!) It's been something of a rollercoaster with some rough times to go with the many highs. Would I do 2012 again with everything it threw at me? Yes please! What a ride!