This time last year I had aims of entering the OCC, a 50km run along a small part of the UTMB route. I have spoken before about why I wanted to do it here. Like most people who visit Chamonix I fell in love with the trails and scenery of Chamonix. Once I decided I would do it I set about trying to make it a possibility. Along the way that target has been (temporarily) shifted. I was delighted to be invited to a close friend's wedding and it is too good an opportunity to turn down. So My 'A race' for the year was changed to be the race that should have prepared me to be able run in Chamonix (and provide me with the qualification points for Chamonix next year).
So somehow I ended up with the aim of running the 55miles that makes up the Cateran Trail. For anyone that doesn't know. The Cateran trail is a 55 mile Long distance circular walk around Perthshire made famous by the cattle thief's that used the roots and ultimately gave the name to the trail.
It sounds like an absurd thing to say but I have no idea how I ended up entering a 55 mile race. It wasn't a singular plan that I have built up towards. It is something that has evolved and grown, and I was not fully aware it was happening. When I think about it I'm equal parts anxious and ignorant. Anxious that this is a target that is potentially beyond me, much longer than my now postponed aim of running in Chamonix. Ignorant about what it takes to run 55 miles over that type of terrain in the
time frame required.
Ultimately, this is a challenge and it should be challenging. The challenge is what makes this enjoyable. The not knowing and the need for development. If I had tried to take this on last year I would certainly have faltered. The progress I've made is what makes this possible.
If you hit the target every time it's too near or too big- Tom Hirshfield
This isn't about success or failure, it's about the process, the growth. Bluntly it's about having the balls to step up and take the shot.
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| My first Marathon, horribly underprepared |
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| A more recent shot. I'm not slimmer, just further away ;) |
There is no point in trying this without going 'all in'. Therefore, as part of the preperation I have signed up to run two other races, trying to bridge the gap in ability that a 55 mile run requires and I currently possess.
I'll be running the D33 in a week, a 33 mile Ultra Marathon along the Deeside way, and the John Muir Way 50km Ultra Marathon at the end of April.
I've decided to run the Cateran Way for the 1 million Miles for Ellie campaign. This campaign aims to raise 1 million pounds and cover 1 million miles within 1 million minutes in memory of a young woman called Ellie who sadly passed away due to cancer. I had the pleasure of meeting Ellie and her parents. While I can't begin to understand what they have gone through, I can promote this amazing cause, set-up and galvanised by an amazing woman in memory of her daughter. The target of 1 million pounds will be split between Maggie's, McMillian and Cancer research UK, with the aim of helping all aspects of cancer.
A link to the campaign website can be found here, 1 Million Miles for Ellie.
I am trying to raise £119. 1 pound for every mile raced. I'd also like to ask you all to add your own miles to this wonderful cause. It doesn't have organised, a walk with the buggy, a run to the shops, a cycle to work. All I ask is that you pause for a moment. Think about a person you know that stood tall, and strong in front of a seemingly insurmountable challenge. Then walk a mile in their memory, in Ellies memory.
I'm not an overly outgoing person and don't know if I could raise a huge amount of money but I know we can all walk a mile.
My fundraising page:
When you've dontated or walked the mile (or more if you want) please click the link below and add in the miles you've completed.
Add you miles here Get Involved.
Together, a mile at a time, a pound at a time we can succeed in this wonderful goal.
If you want to follow the campaign you can do it here:
Woop Woop. Remember, don't think just give it a go (then log it).
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