Why Do You Run So Much Daddy?

- Damian Hall

The last time I counted, there were four members of my immediate family. So when my three-year-old son drew a family picture with only three people in it, I was curious to know who had been left out – and more importantly, why?

“You’re out running, Daddy,” he explained.

I searched in vain for some trace of pride in his voice. As I pondered his words, I had to admit that I’ve missed family weddings and good friends’ significant birthdays because of running. Our previous two family summer holidays have been in Chamonix, France; where at the time, in no way coincidentally, there’s a race called Ultra-Trail du MontBlanc, which I’ve run. Then there are all the times I’ve been unfairly grumpy with my kids towards the end of days when I got up at 5am or 4am for a long run. I want to be a good parent and a good runner. But is that possible? And am I prioritising the latter over the former?