Running without a goal
Earlier this year I completed a huge goal, running the Bob Graham Round. During the build up, I was incredibly focused and it felt as if I was training like a professional athlete. The result was covering 65 miles and 27,000 feet of ascent to link together 42 Wainwrights on a stunning sunny day in the Lake District surrounded by my best friends. It was my first run of more than 30 miles in one go and I was delighted to complete it in 20 hrs 12 minutes. Most importantly I felt strong, had a blast and was running again a few days later. All my hard work towards that goal day had paid off.
One way to celebrate your birthday...
Since then I’ve moved from Bakewell, Derbyshire to the village of Starcross in Devon. I’ve opened a new physiotherapy clinic in Exeter, started working in the community visiting patients in Teignmouth and Dawlish, ran a couple of the South West Fell Series on Dartmoor and local park runs. Overall I’ve been getting outside, enjoying running and riding my bike in this lovely part of the world and one day I even had a go at surfing!
Recently on a run to Teignmouth, I was admiring the sea beside me when I started thinking about the fact I don’t really have a running goal right now. Next I went down onto the beach and ran some 20 second strides up and down the sand. I imagined I was Rocky Balboa or Apollo Creed as I sprinted up and down. I’ve always loved training. The training scenes from the Rocky films inspire me to want to push myself, target a big bout, get into the ring and go from jogging to sprinting up the steps and jumping around with my arms in the air. I love training!
Parson and Clerk, Holcombe
Currently I don’t have a big race goal. I don’t have a big event on the horizon. Sometimes when running my mind will drift towards ideas; maybe I’ll train for a marathon, how about an ultra? tie together sections of the South West Coast Path? Run across Dartmoor?
However for the moment, it feels liberating just to be training without a specific goal in mind. I’m focused on feeling fit and healthy and having fun. Experiencing the feel of sand under my feet, exploring new paths and the thrill of running fast. I mentioned this to my friend Bart and he said I was “training for life!” Now that is a concept I can embrace. As I go through life as a runner and working as a physiotherapist, I gain a sense of gratitude for what my body can do. I’m training to keep what I have and maybe get even fitter. I’m sure that soon enough a race will take my fancy and that focus will come again. But until then, thank you Bart and congratulations on a big recent race win - I’m training for life and it feels good!
