"To deal with something unhealthy, a person needs to be as healthy as possible. That’s my motto. In other words, an unhealthy soul requires a healthy body." (Haruki Murakami) -Day 6

I can’t help but think about a book that struck a chord- Haruki Murakami’s “What I talk about when I talk about running” – the memoirs of chain smoking, jazz loving bar owner who gets into running and writing. It’s about a lot more than that, including ageing, life, insecurity, music, writer’s block and his 4 month preparation for the New York Marathon.

My blog is not just about being sober curious, but also what it’s like being a middle aged-mid pack runner- in denial.

Now feels like about the right time to introduce a couple of thoughts on running.

I have just come back from my weekly long run. I ran 14km-the same length as the Ciy2Surf but with a third more elevation. It kicked my arse,

I started running 5 years ago, and in September 2021 I ran my first (virtual covid lockdown) half marathon in Centennial Park in just over 1h55 (the goal was sub 2h). I had a little cry afterwards. I couldn’t believe I had done it.

At the end of that run, I promised myself “one year older, one minute faster”.  I’ve ran a couple more halves since then, each year a little faster (and by more than a minute).  I have also run 2 City2Surfs, each year a little faster too.

I guess the next 20 weeks will be a bit of an uphill struggle (pun intended) as I must run 65 seconds/km faster than I did today to beat last years’ time by a minute.

I am mindful that comparison is the thief of joy, and with that, today’s lesson is that I must not compare myself to I how I was previously (and to others) all the time.

I will manage to beat last year's time by a minute, just not today.

What matters is that I got out this morning when I really didn’t feel like it and got it done.

North Bondi 6/4/2024