Background
Last year I set out to see if I could run a seemingly impossible race. To run 120km through the Namib desert for someone that have never run even a marathon was questionable indeed. Many people doubted me, even close friends that saw me train thought that maybe I had bit off more then I could chew.
A few people saw me the day of departure and I was scared, properly scared. I felt incredibly little and insignificant. However, determined to not come back to London having failed everyone I pushed on and made it through.
I went on to do a second ultra-distance race, the Fellsman. 100km through the hilly mores of Northern England. 3 days before I started to prepare. Thoughts such as “how diffucult can it be, I have just done 120km through the desert” came to my mind. I failed and had to pull out after 50km.
This year I have set out to do something different. Something that many, including many experienced ultra-marathon runners, say is impossible.
So why am I doing this?
I have for as long as I can remember been up for a challenge. From the time when my mum and dad took it in turn to measure how fast I could run around the block to when my friends said I bet you that you cannot drink a whole bottle of Tabasco (thank you Jesper!). So I guess being up for a challenge is part of it.
My mind is an inquisative mind. I want to know more. I want to know more about science, about history, about how things are put together, and what makes people tick. I have a small library of books and sometimes when I have bought yet another book to add to the shelfs of unread books I think “why did I buy this book”. But inside me I know. For the same reason that I was always running to the next room when we went to museums when I was a child. To see what is around the next corner, to find something new. So the second reason is because I am inquisitive by nature.
I love sports. There have been times in my life where I have not had an active life, but I have always regarded myself as an athletic person. There were times when I was running everywhere, to see my friends, to football training, back from football training. I was a bit of Forest Gump. Then I forgot about it and I stopped doing regular exercise, as so easily happens in a big city, you never have the time (or rather Take the time). 3-4 years ago I was watching the London marathon from the side-line, cheering on some friends. The next day I went out and I ran for four hours straight. From that day on, I was back into running. The third part is my interest in sport and to exercise.
Last, but not least, it is a (at time unhealthy portion) positive attitude. I have a can-do attitude. Ben, who I train with, says that I am the first person he has met that never says no when he comes up with an idea of what to do next. In fact, I think between us we have a very dangerous mix of two people that try to think up more and more insane things to do.
All in all, here is the reason why I do this:
Up for a challenge / Inquisitive mind / enjoy running / an unhealthy portion of optimism.
A dangerous mix indeed. This year I will know just how dangerous to my own health it is!
