8th September – Run 8 – 2.50 miles (40.84m to go)

I’m now at a point where two miles a day for the next 20 days will just about do it. However, for me, two miles a day is a big ask. I know I need to chalk a couple of bigger runs off to give me some breathing space, but in weather where breathing is not easy, neither is running very far! This run wasn’t planned – I’d decided to have a day off and push again over the weekend, but I’ve got the bug now!

I noted before I set out that a couple of my fitness inspirations had been out. Mark Preston, an athlete of the highest order, had cycled halfway around the Wolds, and he’s always an inspiration to me. He’s a proper athlete, does marathons and all sorts, and yet still takes the time to give me kudos for a two miles jog.

Also, Gemma, our neighbour, ran 14 miles in the morning. Imagine that – 60 miles in a month seems like small fry doesn’t it? Four runs and she’d be there, yet I’m here squeezing in the odd couple of miles when I can. At first, it made my efforts feel insignificant, but I realised that was my message for the day, all served up to me on a plate.

It’s easy to get blinded by what others do. With running, you can get disheartened looking at people’s times, 22-minute 5k runs, when you’re struggling to get in under 30. It’s the same in life – it’s easy to get caught up in what others have rather than what you have. I think that’s one route towards mental health issues – when you try to measure yourself up to others. The thing is, there’s only one you. There’s only one person in the world who has been through what you’ve been through, who has the unique set of experiences and upbringing you have. You never know the full story – for instance, Clarkson always goes on about not getting his GCSEs and still becoming the person he is today, but he doesn’t mention he had a private school education, does he?

To coin a phrase from Danny Cowley, you only need to be the best version of yourself, not of anyone else. Gem runs 14 miles, and that’s brilliant for her, but it would kill me. 60 miles in a month is a big push for me, so despite it being pale in comparison, it is an achievement. Some people have big houses without much effort; others have to fight to rent a small flat – it doesn’t mean the latter is any less of a person.

The very best version of me cannot run five days in a row, so Saturday is a rest day, before I look to hit a couple of 5km runs to start chipping away at the total in a serious manner!