I had been half hoping that this week’s snow would cause Helsby to be cancelled, which is a terrible thing to wish for I know, but I’m just not sure I’m up to the task of completing it.
I had felt bullish at the beginning of January, assuming that all my miles in 2023 (over a thousand of them) would still be swimming about in my blood cells (despite my sedentary December) and keep my legs from collapsing. During the second week I wasn’t so optimistic with a ten-miler draining me of almost every ounce of energy. The final drops were taken during last Sunday’s swampy cross country in Runcorn. In this third week, I’ve done zero running because of the snow and ice, apart from a little non-parkrun around the block this morning. The most exercise I actually managed was building a little snowman for our grandson who enjoyed the crunchy snow for the first time in his life.
Why have I not sold my place already? It’s a popular race and there were takers.
In this morning’s canter around Port Sunlight, I could feel that the wind was picking up. Storm Isha apparently vents fully on Monday and Tuesday but she’s already throwing a few gusty tendrils out now, in warning of her coming wrath. Looking at the weather forecast (often a dangerous thing to do) she really starts blowing, cracking her cheeks and spouting rain from around midday tomorrow, when I’ll still be slogging up and down the roads of not-so-sunny Cheshire. The speedster hares may well be back in the clubhouse, cradling coffees, while we tortoises are still ploughing through the elements getting drenched and dragged around.
Oh, I’m not looking forward to this race.
I could record myself as a DNS, a Did Not Start, but I’m just too stubborn to pull out, especially as I’ve not got any life-threatening injuries barring my way. If I started doing that now, it would be a slippery slope for me to withdraw from anything that feels a bit hard.
No. I won’t renege. I’m going to get myself there because I’ve committed myself to it (and also because I volunteered to drive), and I’ve got to see it through. Meanwhile, I’ll take inspiration from the pigeons that are clinging on for dear life to our neighbour’s whomping willow, and try to inject some tenacity into my bones. I don’t expect it to be a great start to my racing calendar but at least it will start it.
theleadlesspencil 
It’s exactly that attitude that will got you through just about anything. Wishing you all the best.
Thank you, will need a lot of luck!
Bravo for the run – great job.
You know that as the most tenacious tortoise on the block, you’re never going to let that Homer temptation to do nothing get the better of you. Look forward to hearing about the race in due course (another awful pun; what do you expect?)
Yes, I may write about it after, if I haven’t fallen asleep!
just run for fun. my fave races have been when I’ve had no expectations, ran with friends, my last, half way through I felt so good I just picked up the pace..and yeah, paid for that later, but so much fun it didn’t feel like work
Thanks Warren. I will try and keep it fun, but I do know it will hurt, as I’ve had no proper training. I will hopefully get to the end though.