Keep moving forward

Today was an inspirational day. I went out running around Arthur's Seat, which is quite hilly, for the first time since coming back. Joining my was the one and only McGurtos, Latin-American's footballer extraordinare, and training to help raise funds to help kids who don't know how to play football. We trotted round at a decent pace, and I got to practice downhills a bit. After about 4 miles McGurtos headed home and I looked out to the rest of the run. It was fine up until about mile 7 when I started to feel like I'd been running for 7 miles. I passed Cartwright who was coming back in as I was still heading out, and it was nice to see him out and about. Last night he'd said that he had a swollen knee so probably wouldn't run far; 8 miles put paid to that idea.

Cartwright's fit, a great runner and physically strong, but that's not what's so impressive. His real strength is all in his mind. I'd hazard a guess he's one of the most mentally strong people I know. Look at it this way: he didn't need to go out today, and definitely didn't need to go on a long run which would be hurting him most of the way. This might say more about my mindset than his, but I suffer on a long run and that's when I've got all my body parts functioning fine - there's no way I'd go out with a bad knee. OK it could be risky, but that's why he's one of life's winners - he has the strength to force himself on. He's also an all round lovely guy and decent bloke with it, so I'm sure he won't mind if I promote his justgiving page (but only after I've plugged mine of course!)

As I hit mile 9 I really started to struggle. I don't know what it was but clearly this was going to be a tough run. I don't think it was so much physical as mental; that little voice kept on saying that I could just stop here, or maybe stop at X rather than Y, only a little bit before the end. It's tough at times dealing with that, especially out at the back end of a run on your own. Luckily, as I was climbing up a hill a wee Scottish kid and his sister were passing, and he gave me a thumbs up and said "Don't worry, you'll make it!" On I went and, what do you know he was right, I did make it, although only because at one point Rocky appeared beside me and gave me a motivational speech. What a guy.

11.29 miles
01:35:06
Conditions: Perfect
Mood: Rising up, straight to the top...