Mad Max Runs

I tell you what, between trail running and my boy's sage teachings, who needs books to learn, really? That beautiful journey gave me far more than a longed-for victory, but a few beautiful reminders of just why I started challenging myself 'out there'. It's so very much more than running, and man alive, did I need that right now. Venn, Venn, at work again.  >>> There are times when you have no choice but to sit down in the deluge. Don’t stay too long or you’ll freeze. >>> When your inner fire starts to fizzle, sometimes there are people around who can rescue you, but more often you need to find a way to keep yourself warm despite the odds. On these occasions, order means nothing. Get yourself up, grab your things, and get moving. Never stop until you thaw. >>> Forgive yourself for the poor choices you’ve made. Celebrate yourself. Pat yourself on the back. Literally. Often. >>> Always stop and do the thing; see to yourself when you nee...

Barbury Castle - Avebury   As I stepped away from the shelter at Barbury Castle, the wind made clear its mission to blast off the left side of my head and nick my poncho. Despite tucking the ends tightly beneath my vest, nature’s attack on the foil was equally deafening and agitating. I spent the entire crossing of the great field bent at a 90 degree angle with my head tipped right, to protect my face from the horizontal rain. The body position made it challenging, but not impossible, to search for the steep chalk descent I’d always found elusive. Fortunately, reflex and memory directed my feet, so when I finally paused to look up and get my bearings, I was nearly upon it. It was little surprise to find my penultimate descent a sludgy and slippery mess right the way down. As per, my chronic decision paralysis joined the party at the most inopportune moment, making it near impossible to determine which rut seemed safest while I was getting battered by the elements. That pha...

Foxhill – Barbury Castle   You’d think the weather was a bit pissed off that I’d caught it snoozing along the preceding stretch, because the minute I passed through the Foxhill junction, the sun promptly disappeared behind a cloak of clouds and the wind bid me a glorious afternoon. A friend had warned me that serious weather would be coming in near 5 pm, and despite it being a few hours away, it was patently clear Ma Nature had hurled that gauntlet like a javelin and the time for a comfortable onward journey had now concluded. Please return your tray tables and seats to an upright position and prepare for a bumpy landing. As I crossed the M4, I searched for a spot to pause and layer up again, deciding a slab of grassy verge would fit the bill. After a reasonably quick turnaround I tried to get up, which, considering the level of activity I’d managed so far, would seem to be simple. Ah, but no. I can only wonder what the man headed towards me was thinking as I delivered m...