Through My Eyes

The Half marathon

Me and Dad only have a week left of training before the big day arrives! We go out every single day and Dad tries to beat his record time. We eat only healthy foods that week too! No delicious takeaways and no crisps or chocolate! Only salads and protein for me and dad! I don't really mind though because I love chicken! Chicken is my favourite! Chicken on the bone, chicken salad, fried chicken, cooked chicken and chicken wings! All kinds of chicken! Although, me and dad have just been eating plain chicken these past few weeks. I'm glad the babysitter doesn't like chicken because then there wouldn't be a lot left for me!

The day before the big Marathon, me and Dad get up bright and early to practice the run one last time. Mum doesn't wake up with us. She's got work later on in the morning. I try to be extra quiet, so I don't wake her. Dad gets changed into his running gear and then we head downstairs. "Hey Lila" he says to the babysitter as we get in the kitchen. He strokes her on the head and then goes over to the fridge. He takes some eggs out and takes a frying pan out of the cupboard to cook some eggs. After we finish breakfast, he puts my lead on me. He opens the front door and we set off on our normal route. The big green forest is near enough empty at this time of the day. There are no children around and only a few other people out with their dogs too. This would be the perfect opportunity for me to play on the monkey sticks, but I don't want to distract Dad ahead of the big day. We stay out and run longer than we usually do. We get home a few hours later. Dad heads upstairs for a shower and I lay down for a well-earned rest. I need to make sure I have enough energy for tomorrow. Mum returns home a while later and prepares me and Dad some chicken and boiled potatoes! Chicken! We eat it all up and then we all go to bed for an early night. I dream about the day ahead of me. I can do this! We've practiced long enough! I can't wait!

It's finally the day of the Half marathon! I feel like I've been waiting years for this day! Dad gets up early. Really early. Earlier than yesterday! I still can't tell the time yet but it's still pretty dark outside, so I know that it's early. Mum is still in bed; she didn't even wake up. Dad hops in the shower. I lay on the floor waiting for him to get out. A splash of water drops on me, it's freezing! "Sorry, bud" Dad says. "I need it this too cold to wake me up and it's good for the half marathon" he continues. "Wanna get in after me?" He asks. 'No thanks' I shout as I run back into the bathroom. He laughs. I decide to go back to sleep for a while. An hour later, I wake up. Mum is up now, and Dad is just coming out of the bathroom. He's wearing his full training gear, the vest, shorts and bulky trainers. I wonder what colour they are? Mum hugs and kisses Dad. "You'll do great Jack". She tells him. I sit and watch. 'Me too!' I shout. She laughs, "You'll do great as well, puppy!" She says still giggling. I run up to them and jump up at them both. They both laugh and pet me. "Right, we better get a move on Sammy boy!" Dad says. We both run down the stairs and Dad puts his trainers on. "I'll get the keys" Mum says, running into the kitchen. Oh no. The moving box! I hate the moving box! Why can't we just walk? I love to walk! "Come on Sammy" Dad shouts as he walks towards me with the lead. I back up. I don't want to go in the moving box! Before I can turn around and hide, Dad grabs me and puts my lead on me. He tries to pull me to the door, but I won't walk. I'm taking a stand! I'm not going in the moving box! Not tod... He picks me up and carries me towards the door. Of course, the babysitter is watching. She laughs at me. Dad finally gets me in the moving box and off we go to the half marathon. I stand shaking all the way there in the back of the moving box. "Sit down, Sam" Mum keeps repeating to me. 'Emma! There is no way I am sitting in this moving box; I tell you now!' I shout. Mum real name is Emma. And Dad's is Jack. But I don't call them that, they're my mum and dad.

We pull up in some other green forest that I've never been to before. There are millions of people and lots of moving boxes all around. There are loads more people dressed like Dad. I've never seen them before though, I wonder why they don't come to our big green forest to train? Mum stops the moving box and Dad comes around to the open the door. He takes hold of my lead and I jump out of down on to the grass. I'm so excited! I can't stop my tail from wagging! "Let's get our number, buddy" Dad says. 'Okay!' I reply. We walk to a stand on the grass and Dad gives him name in. 'Sammy' I say to the man. Another man hands him a number and Dad sticks it on his vest. "Number 23 Sammy" he tells me. We walk back over to Mum. "I'll take a picture of you." She says, excitedly. Dad crouches down next to me, he places his arm around me. "Sit down buddy" he says. I slowly sit down on the cold floor. It's Winter now so it's colder but at least it's not muddy. And I'm glad there's no white fully stuff falling from the sky this year! Mum takes the picture of us and then she asks a woman to take a picture of us all. I smile the biggest smile I have ever smiled. I want to remember this day forever.