Finding My Mojo

The Marcothon does different things for different folk.  It can make you or break you, and make you question 'WHY?' on many a cold, dark, wet morning when you're up before dawn to get the required miles done.

For me, it was about trying to get some of the spark back; that wee flicker of motivation that drags you out of bed to go training when the duvet is warm and inviting. I was also in dire need of trying to get my fitness level improved, and offset some of the over-indulgences, and we might come back to that later!

It has probably taken most of the month for me to get the mojo back, and I think it's finally here! The realisation has returned, that my body physically doesn't function well when it's fuelled with alcohol, sweeties and cheese, and carrying an extra stone of blubber around all the time; and that mentally, trying to get through the stress using a bucket full of caffeine is not a sustainable approach.  It's been fun though, and I think we all need some time off the disciplines every once in a while.  Now it's time for action though! (well, after the New Year actually as there's still a kitchen full of tasty stuff I'm going to have the pleasure of acquainting myself over the next week!)

A couple of other things this month have helped get me back on track.  

First was an unexpected 17 mile run with Glee last weekend from Braeval, Aberfoyle.  Arranged by Stan as a relaxed, social run, once-a-month-ish over winter, I'd gone along with the expectation of doing 10-15 miles maximum...and VERY slowly as this would be the furthest I'd run since Glenmore at the start of September.  A couple of others on the FB group had indicated they were also up for this...and then....*panic*....didn't come along on the day!  Not a great start, and I was ready to pack it in after the first couple of miles when most of the group (there were about 15 of us) set off at a decent pace, and appeared to be running all the hills (which were pretty steep).  Stan, Lorna and Donald stayed with me for a while, and seemed to be ok shuffling along at my pace.  We lost Donald to the faster group after about 6-ish miles, and I did then 'fess up that I was a bit worried about my pace and holding Stan and Lorna back.  Thankfully neither seemed too bothered, Stan reminding me several times that 'it's only December' and now was not the time I needed to be setting any speed records! (He did also say the route we were doing was only 13/14 miles...but I'll forgive him....).  The weather was good, the route undulating, and I never in a million years would have thought I'd have managed 17 when I set out that morning!  Felt great, albeit knackered at the end....I still managed a lap of the carpark to tip the Gamin over the 17 miles and appease my OCD!

The other major point in December was the ballot for the 2015 WHW Race entries. Having been lucky enough to be accepted last year, I was less hopeful this year as entry was over-subscribed by almost 100 places.  I felt much less on edge about the announcement this year (last year I was nervous from the moment I submitted my entry!)...However, on the Monday morning, the day after we knew the ballot had been drawn, I received a text from David Meldrum not long after I got to work.."you might want to go and check FB"....cue instant panic as I checked in on my phone....latest post from Ian Beattie..'blah blah...list of names...' followed by frantic scrolling...'I'm not on it, I'm not on it, WHY isn't it in alphabetical order??'.....pause, breathe...re-read the 'blah blah'.....oh cr*p, this is the balloted OUT entrants....scroll down...another post....'I'M ON THE LIST!!!!!!!'

Several swear words running through my head, and close to tears...I text Clark, I text Helen...I tried explaining to my team, who didn't truly understand my high pitched warbling....I went and sat in the toilets for 10 minutes...shaking with excitement.  We're in! 2015 challenge for my second WHW race goblet.  A challenge I'm proud and privileged to accept!  And if that doesn't motivate my to get off my fat ass and run, then nothing will!!

5 Marcothon runs left.  I'm already in my highest mileage month since June, and those 14,000 calories I've burned off running this month have to have offset some of the fun times! Most important of all is that I've got that mojo back.  No-one else can do this for me, and I'm back in the right place to kick myself into action!

Reflections on the year, and plans for 2015 to come before year end.  Enjoy the festivities, and a few extra days off to get out there and do something!!