Much moor to love as lockdown eases
The gradual easing of lockdown has given me so many opportunities to catch up on a missed year. Not missed because I didn’t do anything in the last 12 months, but because I have missed the physical meeting up with friends and diverse locations.
I had entered a race called the Spine Race for January this year which was sadly cancelled due to coronavirus.
This race is a tough challenge since it is a non-stop affair up the Pennine Way, and whilst I only entered the 120-mile event it is a pretty harsh environment to be out in for over two days.
Whilst I was fit I did not know the route and, when navigating in the dark on open moorland, understanding the terrain is essential. The Covid cancellation has given me the opportunity to complete the route in stages so that hopefully I remember it for January 2022.
Meeting up with my ultra running friend Mark we set off along 20 miles of the route which was a complete joy. The weather was kind and the views awesome, which made the steep lung-busting climbs worth every gasp of air.
It is amazing what the beautiful British countryside can do to offset the time spent locked up in suburbia and every step was one of pure joy even if muscles screamed at me more than once or twice.
Perhaps, however, the most uplifting part was meeting so many other like-minded people walking along the Way, some only a few miles and others taking the whole route to Scotland.
Everyone had a smile and a greeting as clearly they too shared my joy of just being out there.
In terms of a training exercise I definitely picked up on a few things to avoid on the race, which made the day even more worthwhile.
I hope that you too remember that practice gives you a better chance of success in life and find a place to offset any challenges that you have in your life, just like me.
‘‘ Everyone had a smile, they shared my joy of just being out there