“There is something appealing about walking away from all the noise. I’m content to let the chips fall.” – Hannibal, S2:E3
This weekend wasn’t about racing. I hadn’t trained, and had no business being at the start line on Friday. Yet there I was. Why? Maybe fomo, but 53km + 2700m of climbing isn’t much of a cure.
Two years ago I couldn’t swim 50m, didn’t own a bike, and struggled through 5km. By last summer I’d finished Swansea 70.3, and by April, my first marathon. Huge milestones, but the process was joyless. I never found my why. At my lowest point, IM training gave me something to cling to. It didn’t “save my life,” but it kept me going.
This summer I stepped away and let go of training plans. Hotpot, hiking, and watched new life begin (hi gigi). And in fullness, I saw how much of my running had been tied to emptiness.
On Friday, standing at the start of my longest race yet, I wasn’t chasing a time. I was present. Grateful for movement, for this body, for the chance to keep moving forward. And somewhere along those 53km, I finally found my why.
Thank you
@runclub99 for being such a special part of this journey and my coach
@scombes13_coaching for your patience and getting me here. :)
