I've written and re-written this blog post a load of times. It's always been rubbish, and it still is. This must be what writers block is like. My mind's gone blank, I can't think of anything to write, and when I do mange to think of something, it just sounds dull.
I feel a bit average.
Which reminds me.....
Just returned from a holiday to Scotland. While we were there, we climbed Ben Nevis. We were a little bit disorganised, and by the time we got to the bottom it was about 12.30 pm. We also didn't have a map. Or any mosquito spray. So I went into the visitors centre, where I was reassured that I can't have been the only one to not have brought map, as there was a whole stand of them. Unsure as to the best choice, I asked the lady behind the counter, who recommended one.
"Are you going up the mountain now?" she asked, and I detected a note of admonishment in her tone.
"Yes" I said, because I was.
"Well you'd better hurry up, it takes the average person between 6 - 8 hours to get up and down, and it's 12.30 already."
Yes, I know. I can tell the time.
Hang on.
Average?
Do I look average?
I tightened my boots, applied a liberal helping of mosquito deterrent, and turned in the direction of The Mountain.
4.5 hours later we were back at the visitor centre.
Average.
Ha.
It was even sunny at the top, which only happens once every 25 years or so.
Back in England, and ran marathon number 43 on Sunday with Andrew - a really great marathon, the Chiltern Marathon. A beautiful September day, a friendly bunch of people, a lovely route....what more can you want from a Sunday (excluding bacon and eggs, a lie in, etc etc)?
I feel a bit average.
Which reminds me.....
Just returned from a holiday to Scotland. While we were there, we climbed Ben Nevis. We were a little bit disorganised, and by the time we got to the bottom it was about 12.30 pm. We also didn't have a map. Or any mosquito spray. So I went into the visitors centre, where I was reassured that I can't have been the only one to not have brought map, as there was a whole stand of them. Unsure as to the best choice, I asked the lady behind the counter, who recommended one.
"Are you going up the mountain now?" she asked, and I detected a note of admonishment in her tone.
"Yes" I said, because I was.
"Well you'd better hurry up, it takes the average person between 6 - 8 hours to get up and down, and it's 12.30 already."
Yes, I know. I can tell the time.
Hang on.
Average?
Do I look average?
I tightened my boots, applied a liberal helping of mosquito deterrent, and turned in the direction of The Mountain.
4.5 hours later we were back at the visitor centre.
Average.
Ha.
It was even sunny at the top, which only happens once every 25 years or so.
Some of the directions were a little open to interpretation, but we actually managed the whole way around without getting lost, which was a big confidence boost, as I've had quite a few navigational mishaps over the last three events, and I was concerned I might have lost my skills, and become a little average.
Met Gary along the run, and we ran the second half along with him. What a great bloke, a genuinely nice guy who loves running a long way, and encouraging others to enjoy the same. He also did the Dorset 100 this year, in just over 22 hours! Have got loads of tips for training now, kit, helping blisters, and some tips for spending less time at checkpoints (it's a sad fact, but time spent at cake stops has got to become better controlled).
I think that's about the average length of a blog post now, so I'll stop here.
