Eight weeks to go. The training is progressing though sometimes it feels like really hard work. I've been going through these gates a lot recently. But are they the gates of heaven or hell? Going one way leads through into the deer park. Past the church and the obelisk. It can lead to a wonderful world of antlered deer stags, ice houses, world heritage, buzzards, the foothills of the dales, and a cafe with scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam. Heaven on earth. But it also leads to a very long mile uphill - the 'Studley Mile', up to it's very own Barkley gate at the top which I have to touch to complete a strength sapping speed interval. Eight minutes of hell doing each hill effort. Only to have to turn around and repeat, again and again. Or onwards through those gates at the top to do another 23 miles to complete a back-to-back-marathon-long-slow-trails-weekend. The thought of doing it is daunting. Going the other way through the gate is usually good. It'...
So, let's start.
Rewind 7 months to the daily dot-watching. My friend Matt is doing Lands End to John O'Groats (LEJOG). Running. 1000+ miles on trails. Averaging 33 miles a day. Every day. One day off a week. For 5 weeks. The dot from his satellite tracker on the app moves slowly but surely. He's a pro.
Childhood memories of pictures in the Guinness Book of Records. A sense of completing the impossible. Glorious summer weather. Pictures of the group completing it together. I’m hooked.
A congratulatory discussion on his triumphant return.
Me: ‘I've got to do this’
Matt: ‘You can do this - but one step at a time. Do an ultra first’
Me: ‘Ah…fair point. I'd better try one then’.
2 months later, the 30 mile Minster to Minster ultra completed. And a further 6 weeks later, 35 mile Ripon Ultra completed. I can do this! But every day for 5 weeks solid?
There's places on the same LEJOG run for June 2025. I couldn't, could I? I'm a newbie, a noob, a novice. Only a naive nitwit would take it on. I keep seeing the advert (oh, the power of algorithms on Facebook). And then a discount pops up if booked during January. Nearly the whole of January goes by. I couldn't, could I?
Another couple of conversations with Matt, and one with the LEJOG run leader, James.
Have I time? Can I commit? Is it possible? Won't I just get injured? Do I have the mental resilience? Can someone with no colon do this? Will my body and guts cope? It's expensive.
At 10pm on 31st January after much deliberation during the day I press GO and come to bed. I’m excited. I don't sleep well. Have I done the right thing?
Over the weekend the dream begins to switch to reality as I share my news with others. I don't sleep well at all. This is wrong. What was I thinking? I'm not able to do this. An overwhelming doubt keeps entering my head. Do they do refunds?
Thanks Matt. I've got so many questions, so many doubts. But you've inspired me. I'm in and it starts here.
Will I get to John O'Groats?
Le Petit Jog: follow my journey to get there - its ups and downs - my fears and triumphs - including insights and experiences from inspiring people I know I'll meet along the way. I'll try and keep it short and entertaining, but sharing it will keep me focused and motivated.
And hopefully inspire others to do things they think are impossible.
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