This last week has consisted of a lung bursting 14 mile trek towards Allendale and back, over 7 miles of bounding up hills, 9 repetitions of 800 metre sprinting, with each rep closely followed by that ‘I want to be sick feeling’ and a straight forward 8.5 mile run in torrential conditions.
As each and every run becomes progressively colder and darker the feeling of isolation could not be greater. While others are wrapped up warm in front of the fire I’m out trudging the streets hoping my legs will one day feel the benefit. It’s not easy being a runner – one day you can feel on top of the world and the next like a lost puppy miles from home.
Work commitments and time constraints mean that Langley and I rarely get to run as a pair. Instead we have become the ‘loners’ of Hexham – the two blokes who many must think have no friends. Or is it that no-one else is daft enough to run with us?
Almost every word from each of the 105 songs on my ‘Marathon Playlist’ is now logged in my head, as I try to deflect my focus from my aching legs. I even find myself talking with the animals, so much so that I now find myself on first name terms with many of the local sheep and cattle, and in return they no longer run away when I close in – I think I’ve simply become part of the scenery. Something I’m perfectly happy with, as the sights and views are some of the best in the country. We’re fortunate to live in such a beautiful area and perhaps if it wasn’t for such a fantastic valley in which I run this challenge wouldn’t seem so achievable.
On a good day I get lost in the countryside around me, but on a bad day I realise how far from civilisation I am. None more so than last Sunday’s run where Langley and I found ourselves running into an almighty headwind which numbed our finger ends and froze our faces. It can be tough, but when you look back its all great really! Well most of the time.
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