HANNAH'S half marathon

VVas she really up to it? Someone very special seemed to think so

No! thought Hannah as she rounded the corner and saw her bus already at the stop. She started to run, she couldn’t miss it…

‘Blimey!’ said a woman passenger as Hannah jumped on. ‘You training for the Olympics?’

‘No!’ gasped Hannah. ‘I got held up at my daughter’s and…’

‘Ahh, kids… We still feel responsible for them, even when they’ve left home, don’t we?’ the woman continued. ‘My son’s got his own flat but still brings his washing home to me.’

‘Oh, but, my daughter…’ Hannah began, only, the woman was getting up to leave.

‘Someone today thought I was training for the Olympics,’ Hannah told her daughter Julie that night.

‘You are very fit, Mum,’ Julie said.

‘For someone my age,’ Hannah finished.

‘No,’ said Julie. ‘You’re very fit… Actually, Mum, do you remember reading out that bit in the paper about the half marathon in a few months? Well… I’d like to enter. So many friends would sponsor me.’

‘But, love…’

‘I know what you’re going to say. I’m not fit enough. But I go to the gym regularly. I just need to practise running, build up my distance. If I ran every night, I could do it… with help. Would you train with me, Mum?’