So now things are kinda getting back to some sort of normal, holidays are happening again, and pretty soon I’ll be out for my morning bob about the cliffs and there will be 300 people coming the other way as happened back in 2019. One of those people back then was my brother, who attempted Anglesey’s Ring ‘O Fire 3-day multi-satge ultramarathon. Half of them doing the whole thing, the other half doing just the first day, something like 35 miles. I was actually out walking my dog at the time, not running, but I was wishing I was part of it. My cousin and her other half attempted it and through a lot of tears and shouting at each othere they got it done. I fancy a bit of that, but I’ll have to shout at myself and cry all by my lonesome.
So next weekend the ’21 version of the event coincides with another short break I’m having on the island, and it’s got me thinking… although doing races seems a bit pointless and wasteful, I did come up with an idea to do this one before I’m 50, and basically that leaves just 1 opportunity to get it done. So Early September ’22, the plan is I won’t be there on holiday or walking the dog, I’ll be on the start line with 135 miles in front of me over the following 3 days.
So I’m writing this here to sorta force myself to follow through and make this happen. And ’cause I’m saying I’m doing it, well, I’m gonna need to fit in a years worth of other less demanding efforts – and why not some races? So I’ve booked the Chorley 6Hr Road Race (which, of course, is in a park and on trail paths…) – a 6 hour event around a super small 732.234m corner of Astley Park. A friend would say that’s the most me race ever, and tbf that’s accurate, so I’m looking forward to it. I’ve run around a track for 6 hours before, that’s half the size and not nearly as pretty – it’s practically an epic adventure trek in comparison. Won’t place well, there’s some good people signed up, but it’ll be good miles and the open-ended nature is really good for offering up some self-inflicted pressure and headfuckery.
Basically I’ve just sacked off the whole sacking off races thing that I’ve been doing pretty well with for the past 2 years, especially thanks to the virus. Oh well, I’ll be poorer but fitter and get to buy loads more shoes, which is one of the best things about running.
VEGANASFⓋCK 