DentaltownUK May 2018 - 30

Gareth Jones graduated from Liverpool University's
School of Dentistry in 2003, where he was
awarded the HR Williams prize for oral surgery.
He takes pride in providing high-quality dentistry
in a relaxed, gentle and unhurried manner at
Monmouth Dental Practice in Monmouth, South
Wales. Gareth is a keen athlete and in recent years
have completed several triathlons, including an
Ironman, and marathons.
www.monmouthdentist.co.uk

30

MAY 2018 // dentaltownuk.com

On April 22nd 2018, I toed the start line
of the London Marathon along with 41,000
other runners in a race, which was reported to
be the hottest day in the race's 37 year history.
Taking part in the race was the culmination
of a 30 year old ambition to run in a race
which had captured my imagination when
I used to watch it on TV as a child. Back in
the 1980s, my Dad had applied for a place to
run unsuccessfully for three consecutive years.
His luck changed and he was drawn out of the
hat at the fourth time of asking, but shortly
afterwards was diagnosed with arthritis in
both of his hips and had to withdraw. For me,
taking part felt like finishing some outstanding
family business.
It isn't easy to fit in the training that I
do with my other commitments. Currently I
am plotting a course towards taking part in
Ironman Italy (a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile cycle
and 26.2 mile run) in September whilst juggling
having a young family and running my private
practice in Monmouth, South Wales. I have a
very understanding wife who puts up with my
training but also understands that if I didn't
train then I would be miserable and not the
kind of person you want around! My sport is
my stress relief. If something work related is

bothering me at the start of a training session
I often find it has evaporated by the end of
whatever workout I've been doing and I was
probably getting worked up unnecessarily.
If it's still on my mind after a run or swim,
then it is something that usually needs more
of my attention.
My hope is that seeing me pushing myself
and enjoying my racing will inspire my two
sons (aged five and eight) to take as much
pleasure from sport as I have. I will be using
my Ironman in September as a way to raise
some money to have a defibrillator purchased
for the boys' school. The headteacher is very
excited about this and we hope to get the kids
at the school involved as a way of promoting
health and fitness. I think that my boys will
be playing the role of sports reporters from
Italy as we are making it a family trip!
The marathon started to feel very real on
the day before the race when I went to the
marathon expo to collect my number. Unlike
previous races where I have been incredibly
nervous however, this time it was eclipsed by
the anticipation of fulfilling my long-held
ambition and finding out what kind of shape
I was in.
Despite a five-week period at the start
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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of DentaltownUK May 2018
