Wednesday 9 January 2013

Belated Happy New Year!

Looking forward to an injury free year and the running's been good so far, although the few added pounds of Christmas food is taking some shifting!

The end of 2012 didn't turn out quite as planned. I had organised for me and a couple of friends to take on the Three Peaks Challenge back on the 26th October. For those unfamiliar with the challenge it involves conquering the the three highest mountains in Scotland (Ben Nevis), England (Scafell Pike) and Wales (Snowdon) including the travel betyween, within 24 hours. Unfortunately, on the week leading up to the challenge the weather took it's toll and -18C (i.e. -0.5F) blizzard conditions were forecast for Ben Nevis. The concensus was to postpone until Easter 2013; so another date in the diary to look forward to!

A major target for me for 2013 is to get back to training for a road marathon. Away from the trails I know, but something I just need to get done. My last road marathon was way back in 2010 when my wife, Ellen, and I went for a long weekend in Paris. In short, a fantastic weekend, great course and weather but severly hampered by gastric flu, so I ended up walking the majority in a daze. I've vowed to return ever since!. This may be the year we go back, however, £ is in short supply and Paris is therefore dependent upon the sale of our house. I may end up going more locally and saving Paris for another year.

2013 is choc full of great races, with friends (and fellow bloggers) lucky enough to get into some top events. Top of the crop has to be Ultra Disco Stu who has a big summer of the Lakeland 100, UTMB and unbelievably Western States to sink his pumps into!!

My major goal this year is a charity event that has been developing away in the depths of my mind. In it's planning infancy at the moment, but the idea is to run 13 half marathons in 13 consecutive days. More details to follow over the coming months.

Finally, 2013 is already turning out to be a special year; my wife has once more bid adieu to her toes and will see them again in mid-July, meanwhile baking away with our FOURTH baby!!

Remember, Running=the real sport. The others just play with their balls.

Gaz