Our 23 year old son, Robbie, resumed his athletics career just 19 months ago.
During the winter of 2007/08 his finishing time in some of the cross countries was more than 200% of the winner's times.
He has gradually got fitter and more confident culminating in his decision at the start of the Manx Harriers Track League to enter every track event in the league other than the two weeks that he knew he was going to be off the island (what a shame he fell one week and missed the start of his other event that week when it started early).
Today he set a new personal best in the 5000 metres and he took just 125% of the winning time.
Marie and I are really touched by all the support that he receives. All the other competitors try just as hard as Robbie and of course some of them make it easier for themselves by specialising in their training and racing!
But its fair to say that that the impact of the support on Robbie has played a bigger part in an improvement in the quality of his life than just about anyone.
Robbie is not the easiest of people to talk to because his thoughts are mainly about himself but the simple dialogue has always been effective. Even when he wasn't competing but was going to watch events with me, Peter Kaneen always used to tease him: "Have you brought your pumps Robbie?" and he always used to laugh.
I only attended the track and field championships briefly this afternoon and it was as a parent and not as an "media reporter" so although the attached file shows a few clips of medal winners Martin Malone, Ed Gumbley and Andy Fox in the 5000 metres, there is quite a bit of Robbie.
Thanks again to everyone who encourages Robbie.
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