Thanks, and Goodbye to 2012

Andrew and I decided to run every day in December, and although it’s been tough fitting this around work and social arrangements we've managed it. Hurray! Thanks Andrew for sharing the mad challenge with me and making me stick with it when the going got tough. The lowlight has to have been the accidental 10+ miler I half stumbled half sprinted round in blind semi panic when I got lost running in the lanes around Chichester with an inadequate tourist map and a headtorch that I’d forgotten to charge!  I’ve most enjoyed all the runs shared with friends; I’m a little sad that I haven’t written about them here but I’ve had a tough few months and haven’t much felt like blogging.  Onwards and forwards!

Today’s run was one of those much treasured social outings with friends preceded with coffee and stolen and followed with pie peas mash and gravy. It was definitely the wettest muddiest run of 2012 which takes some doing considering what a soggy boggy year it's been! The pies etc were delicious and the company and the hospitality were top notch.  Thanks to Brett and Sue; a lovely way to finish a month of running and say goodbye to 2012.

I mentioned today an ultra event Andrew and I have entered and was asked....'but why would you want to run all that way?'....the first thought that sprang to mind was.....'I have no idea, why not?'  The response I managed was 'it's what we do'. What a pathetic unsatisfactory answer that was, but the real reasons are far too complex to explain.

It's a mystery where the inspiration to run comes from.  It seems to creep up almost unnoticed but has been known to vanish over night without warning.  It definitely cannot be called up on demand.  I’ve been giving some thought to this on and off over the Christmas break.  I’m fairly sure that the most powerful drive to succeed in running is the one that comes from within; an inner determination to conquer your body, overcome all obstacles and push your limits as far as possible.  This is a level of commitment and drive that is bordering on obsession which few people can find or would want to have.  

To complete the Bob Graham Round, The Lakeland 100 and The Ultra Tour de Mont Blanc are all challenges that are up there on my wish list, but to achieve any of these I know I need to be at my absolute fittest and that this is going to take an enormous amount of training and commitment.  To date I’ve been a bit worried about this as my running enthusiasm has not been up to the mark.

I caught up with a good friend’s blog today and whilst reading I realised that my running mojo has snuck up on me this month.  To be able to inspire others is definitely right up there at the top of my list of special achievements because it gives motivation, reward and fulfilment. I’ve been inspired by what I read and I’m itching to get back out in the hills.  

The Hardmoors 30 is my first challenge for 2013 and its tomorrow.  Goodbye 2012; bring on 2013!