So after spending a month on the sidelines (October) refreshing the mind body and soul I start the long journey into 2014 and am starting to organise some adventures already.
Running to me is a true test of your limits, pushing through any pain or boredom barrier to try and find some sort of nirvana. The reason I keep running is that I haven't yet found my limits, despite pushing my body in some extreme situations I never thought possible.
Some people will never understand how important it is for me to get out and run. It has been responsible for so much change in my life. Rather than being an obsession, it is a commitment to better myself and test myself as often as possible.
However, running is incredibly selfish and sometimes you need something to happen in your life to remind you that 'balance' is just as important. I've learnt the hard way.
So with my goals for 2014, I've focussed more on ensuring this balance remains in my life (despite what it looks like!) but at the same time I am really looking forward to continuing to achieve some pretty big goals. So here we go:-
5th April, 2014: South Downs Way 50 Mile Run
I completed this in 2013 with a few hiccups but overall enjoyed it and the route immensely. My original plan for 2014 was to try and dip under 8 hours, but with my second event of the year happening one week later I am now no longer sure whether to compete and complete. Mentally it will be really helpful but physically it is high risk. Again, I like the idea of the mental challenge of back to back 50 mile runs in the space of 7 days, but let's see how we feel early in the new year. Any advice appreciated in the comments section please!
13th April, 2014: London Marathon
I've never run this before, and thought I never would. That was until some of my family found themselves in a terrible situation with their child in NZ, and I actively sought a way to help them pay it forward. Marcus, my cousin's child, was barely 12 months old when diagnosed with leukaemia. Starship Children's Hospital in Auckland NZ became their home for 6 months, and poor Marcus went through a helluva battle. Watching this from the other side of the world has been tough, and I am heading home to NZ over Xmas to see the family, meet him and start my pledge to raise around £2,500 to help support this hospital. Being an ultra runner though I felt slightly awkward asking for donations for me running a marathon. I'm not quick, so taking the 'cowards way out' (according to roadies) I'm running the thing twice, back to back. A solid 84.4km along the road. One final twist is the goal to make it through both marathons in under the 8 hour cut-off limit, including a 40 minute transit from the finish line back to the start. I may not make it, things may change and I may run from the start line to the finish and then return, but I don't really care as long as the money gets raised and goes to those who need it most.
27th - 29th June, 2014: Mont Blanc Marathon
I enjoyed my time in Chamonix running the CCC in 2012 so much, I've wanted to head back there. The Mont Blanc Marathon presents a real opportunity to run with the best in the world, and to also revisit the beautiful Alps. I happen to have mixed this in with my first Vertical Kilometre on the Friday evening (3.8km in length with 1km+ of ascent over that distance, work out the angles!) Really looking forward to just getting out there. I considered the 80km run but I think the Marathon will be enough with the ascent, and means my training doesn't need to be as intense (although I think it will be fun running continuous reps of Box or Reigate Hill!)
So there we go. Three plans for 2014 so far but may turn back into two (realistically). Best get out there and start running!
