I used to think it was alcohol that made me do stupid shit, clearly it wasn’t, and on the day I queue up to start this caper it will be 1556 day since alcohol passed my lips.
I started ‘running’ after meeting a group of ace people on the Wildsoles Sandals first Brand Photoshoot - thats a story for another day though but that was the the day the clocks went forward in March / April '23 and things started to click, a new chapter opened that day and things started to make sense…or not.....
This September, 2024, after 40 odd ParkRuns at Fell Foot, Adidas Terrex / Aurea Events - Kendal Mountain Festival 10K, Lakeland Trails Staveley 10K and Coniston 1/2 Marathon and a few training / social runs with Kendal's 40% Club, I will be taking on ‘The Lap’ otherwise known as ‘The Beautiful Ultra’ by Davy Newell and his amazing Crew.
The Lap will see me and a lots of others run around Windermere, Anti-Clockwise, via all the lumpy bits, it tallies up to 47 miles, or 75k, or how I tend to judge distances, 15 back to back Park Runs with a mere 2500m (8202 Feet) of ascent! It will be my first 'Ultra Marathon'
It’s OK because I will be doing it in my ‘finest Ultra Running Sandals’ they are in fact the same as my Hiking, Swimming, Running, Walking, For Best - identical ones I wear for everything ! Wildsole Hares, a durable 4mm Vibram Sole and a bit of webbing, keep it simple and all that! (Use Code: IANWOOD for a discount)
I have been asked numerous times if I was doing it in aid of a charity and I’ll be honest the anxiety / imposter syndrome is running high enough already just to get myself to the start line - I'm doing this, selfishly, for me but actually its for you, dear reader, to inspire those that think that they might need to change their lifestyle, if you want to, you can!
So with all that in mind and you feel that you have a few quid spare, then just give it to your fave charity, I don’t need to know you have done it, do it for you, not me, equally, just do something kind, it costs nothing, or very little, pay it forward, share a hug, say I love you, say hello to someone, smile at a stranger, just be kind......
Some charity suggestions would be, in no particular order:
Growing Well
Freshwater Biological Society / Big Windermere Survey (Crowdfunder)
Scott Mitchell / Muscular Dystrophy / Cycle the Nation
Bliss - For Babies born premature or sick.
