by Since it began unfolding on the fateful New Year’s Day in 2016, it has become so many different things.
Escape, therapy and most often, challenge.
However, lately it feels a little too much like hard work. It may not be as easy as before, and I have to be honest in saying that I have stagnated.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m still logging miles, but many runs feel harder right now, each mile a little longer.
I’m still doing the work and trying to celebrate that. Running is such a part of my life (too much sometimes but that’s another column) that it’s non-negotiable. If I’m fit enough to run, I will.
Sometimes I wonder why? But then I remember the pleasure I’ve gotten from the experiences I’ve been lucky enough to have so far. Exploring different countries, discovering what motivates me but perhaps most importantly, making amazing friends along the way.
And these are my friends who I’ve been relying on lately to keep me accountable. If I tell someone I’m going to meet them for a run, then I’ll introduce myself. If there is a running hack, then finding your running tribe is definitely one of them. Even though running looks like a solo sport from the outside, that’s not really the case when it comes to training.
A friend and I spent a good half hour or so midweek just trying to recount who the top 10 Premier League scorers of all time are (and before I got a message from Neil Featherby, yes, I know that football began well before 1992).
We were so comfortable that I didn’t notice that my gloves, quite expensive as well, had fallen out of my pocket. (If anyone sees a pair of lost gloves on Marriotts Way, then they probably belong to me… I’ll treat you to a coffee when they return safely…)
The good news this week is that I have reduced some of the overthinking that has been happening over the last 10 days about my ankle. It’s gradually getting better and luckily I’ve kept the intensity of my runs at a level that doesn’t make it worse so far.
With just seven weeks until the Barcelona Marathon, I hope this is one of those things that will work itself out with careful management.
The biggest question, of course, is what my marathon pace will be.
To be honest, I have no idea. I have about five weeks to figure it out before the taper begins, so for now I’m relying on consistent training and a few honest sessions to help me adapt.
This weekend will take place the Reedham Ten, the first race of the Sportlink Grand Prix Series. I have to control my natural instinct to go all out, looking for a PB. I want to do it gradually and use it as a guide as to what I can train towards before Barcelona. We hope this will be a great way to rack up some decent miles and enjoy the atmosphere of the first race of the 2025 Sportlink GP Series.
If I’ve learned anything over the years, it’s that running isn’t always easy, but it’s always worth it. Difficult races, lost gloves, troubles – it’s all part of the journey. And at the end of the day, I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
So if you’re having trouble going out right now, find a friend to meet up with or an errand to look forward to. And if all else fails, remember that every run, no matter how slow or difficult, is a step forward.
Here’s to finding joy, one mile at a time. And if you see my gloves missing, let me know: it’s cold outside.
