It was with great sadness that I read the tragic news about Pistol last week.  I didn't know him very well but had spoken to him on a few occasions and whenever I think about Pete,  I always remember him running all six legs at the Ed Prickett relays, the year that Chris and myself organised the race.  I think Pete had challenged a group of sprinters from Loughborough to a race which needless to say he won! My thoughts are with Pete's family and friends at this time.

Hearing the news about pistol, who from what I'd seen and heard was full of enthusiasm and energy for life and who seemed to really enjoy what he was doing, has made me put things into perspective in my own life.  It sometimes feels like I spend a lot of time thinking about what I would like to do, what my goals are and how happy I would be to achieve them.  Having goals is important, but it has reminded me that what is more important is that I enjoy the present, today, this week, now, and the process of trying to achieve my goals, rather than always searching for something else.  There is always a chance that you will never get to where you want to be, or if you do, you find that the goalposts have moved and there is another thing you must do before you can be happy.

I felt something similar when Ed Prickett died a few years ago now, but sometimes you do just need reminding - that life is there to enjoy in the present, not to wish your life away waiting for when you have achieved a certain goal, or have bought a house, or completed your degree, or got a job, or got married, or have retired...

I can't remember who wrote this but it somehow seems appropriate:

Work like you don't need the money

Love like you have never been hurt

Dance like no-one's watching

Enjoy every moment like it is your last.

R.I.P. Pistol