Challenges Ahead

Sunday: A very late night, coupled with kids making mischief, led to me deciding not to run this morning. I was a little regretful later as I saw it had been raining, and it has been a while since I ran in the glorious rain. I spent some time looking up races I can do this month, constantly being urged to do a 10miler, but that sometimes feels like over-optimism. But I wonder, I have done two 6.22milers (10km), perhaps the 10miler isn't so big a leap? I am being constantly accused of being negative about my running, moaning about it, but on much reflection, I disagree I am that right now. I don't think I have felt more positive about my running, I feel rather bouyed by the knowledge of having done 4 races, each a great challenge for me. One runner's realism may be another runner's pessimism, perhaps, and I think I have been fairly realistic. Till now, anyway... I was perhaps seduced by the huge faith of others in my abilities, when this evening, I accepted my first fetch challenge. A fetchie has challenged me to do within 30miles of his total mileage for June. I thought, interesting... till I read his training log, which details his having done 119miles in May alone - compare this with my having done 140 odd miles in FIVE months of training. However, he has had 'worse' months, and after the initial indignant and shocked state subsided, a voice inside me said, go oooonnnn... So I did :o) I accepted the challenge, and yes, the odds may be stacked against this overweight, puffing newbie, but who says the underdog always loses? ;o) It's another motivating factor for me, to do the extra mile when I train. My realistic hat says I won't be able to win the challenge and I know that. But it will be something exciting for me, something to challenge me. The half marathon will be a real challenge on its own, and me accepting the fetch challenge should work with it, help me focus harder, work harder, enjoy the journey more. Another fetchie informed me of a race in Liverpool after my half marathon, which gave me food for thought, I have never thought about running there before. But it is definitely something I will consider, having a soft spot for a city I have barely seen. Tomorrow was supposed to be a rest day, at the start of a new programme, but I have decided to run. My other half is away from Tuesday to Friday, and the thought of not being able to run is a great cause for concern (my daughter is still on school holidays this week). But I hope to try and work something out, somehow. Challenges indeed.