3 Steps Back and 1 step forward

[El Gordo]

I'm sure Andy's recent doldrums have been due to him failing to realise that marathons are no longer a challenge for him and he's ready to move on to ultras. ;-)

Tim, I fear I've been hoist by my own petard. When I wrote what I did, above, I was aware that I seemed to be suggesting that I'd somehow left the marathon behind when it came to challenges. A very, very foolish impression to give by someone who still can't quite break the 5 hour barrier.

However. However. Just on the off-chance.... that I wanted to think about a bigger challenge, I wouldn't mind some advice. It would be interesting to have a bigger nut to crack. But what?

Not necessarily just a longer distance, though maybe that really is the easiest and best suggestion. What else is there? There's not much point in considering a mid-winter triathlon, or an all-uphill marathon in the Alps that only steroid-filled 21-year olds could cope with. I like the idea of moving away from the road, but I'm a bit reluctant to just dive into the remote, mountainous, February marathon with a field of 30 runners. £2 to enter, and a cup of tea for all finishers.

What might inspire me, but offer just the right amount of stress and uncertainty to make me work hard.....?