To say I know exactly what inspired me to pick up my running shoes and shoot for the moon would be a lie. If I try hard enough I can pinpoint perhaps 3 key elements: a strong desire to shed the 6 extra winter kilos; the book The Non-Runner’s Marathon Trainer; and the urge to set a goal beyond my wildest fascination.

Why a marathon? I keep asking myself the same question and the only answer I can find is because it is so much greater than myself. There was perhaps a time in my early youth when I considered myself athletic, but that time has long passed. To be honest, it’s not my goal (but hopefully a little perk). Recently my life has felt off track, heading in whatever direction someone pulls the hardest or maybe the direction of least resistance. To run is my way of pulling myself back into MY direction, to achieve something greater than myself by sole means of my two legs and determination.

Let’s see how this little exercise goes...