2006 - March

[Tim]

Why I do believe I might make an ultra runner of you yet Andy!

This was probably just the kind of event you needed to do when you're suffering a bit of a running crisis. I think we all go through phases in our running careers when we wonder why we're doing it, particularly if we've got a bit hooked into racing and become a bit too fixated on our times.

Last year I ran a tough little hill race (the Carnethy 5) and hated every second of it. A junior clubmate who I had always beaten on the road romped past me going up the hill (he's a very keen cyclist) and I spent the whole race with my eyes glued to his back and felt terrible at the end. This year, I lost sight of him at the start and decided that in the absense of proof, I'd assume that I was ahead of him (even though I knew this was very unlikely). I made a point of NOT looking at my watch. There was a howling gale at the top of the hills and icy frozen ground. I enjoyed almost every second of that race despite running slower than last year. That race was a timely reminder for me that times aren't everything. It's nice to keep trying for better times but you shouldn't let worrying about them ruin your enjoyment of the sport.