Why This Blog?

After my serious bicycle accident at the end of March 2020, I have retired and want to get my fitness back.  Triathlon was my main sporting fun prior to the TBI (yes, it's apparently officially called a Traumatic Brain Injury...), but concentrating on cycling after the accident didn't sound so appealing.  I've always been a totally rubbish swimmer, so the clear favourite new focus was running.  I used to be ok at running when I was younger, doing several half marathons in my late teens and even one marathon in 1999.  I was never quick, but I got close to 1:30 for the half and did 3:47 for the marathon.  Not awful, but a long time ago.

When I started trying to run again after not really being able to walk properly post-accident, I switched from typically running outdoors to mainly running on gym treadmills.  This was purely for safety as I absolutely didn't want to fall over or be tripped up or whatever.  I started in the second half of 2020 with 1km max, and very slowly built it up.  I even managed a very slow 5km in September 2020, so it was a start.  Then in 2021 I had the possibly stupid idea that I should try and do a marathon again.  I figured that having a distance goal, even if I failed to achieve it, would be good for me.   My initial goal was simply to do the distance, in whatever time, 5 hours, 6 hours, it didn't matter.  But at the end of 2021 I wanted a more challenging goal so I decided to aim for a sub three hour marathon.  I knew this would be very difficult if not impossible.  But it was a goal!  And my friend Een in Canada was up for the same challenge!  Our joint friend, Waigwa, even promised to buy us a packet of salt'n'shake crisps each if we did it.  So we've gotta at least try!!