Running Is A Mug's Game  RSS feed | About

DAVE KING is a keen runner who in 2007 embarked on a marathon running tour of the British Isles. The challenge started in Milford, Derbyshire, at 11.55pm on New Year’s Eve, and finished there 12 months later on December 31st, 2007, during which time he competed in 80 races, a total of 672 running miles while travelling 22,448 miles around the British Isles. Dave 44, is the former deputy editor of the Southern Daily Echo. He lives in Locks Heath and has three children and is currently editor of the Swindon Advertiser. This is his blog tracing a gruelling year of running around the British Isles from as far north as Cape Wrath on the north-west coast of Scotland to Penzance. At the same time he was raising awareness for autism and the profile of the Hampshire Autistic Society.

WITH the finishing line in sight, so the tension becomes greater. After today, it's 74 races down, with six to go, and put bluntly there is no way I'm not going to complete this epic journey. I've told friends that even if I was to pick up a major injury now, I would take pain-killing injections and limp over the line if need-be.

But standing on the start line in Nottinghamshire today, there was no hiding the pressure. It's not been the greatest week for me from a personal point of view, with plenty of distractions and worries. When you're running your carry those worries with you. They loom large when you're struggling in a race, when the seeds of doubt appear, when your body is feeling lethargic and is questioning whether you want to go on.

I was nervous competing at Keyworth, a little village just outside of Nottingham for the Turkey Trot Half Half Marathon. This was the final 13-mile run of the year. After this for the remaining six races there was nothing more than a couple of 10km races. Get over the Turkey Trot and it really is plain sailing to the finale in Derbyshire on New Year's Eve.

After seven miles on a blustery Sunday morning in the East Midlands, I was running ragged and going through the motions. The course was hilly and challenging, but it is the type of terrain I enjoy. I couldn't get going, my mind was elsewhere and I couldn't wait to get this race out of the way.

Then, out of the blue, our small pack of runners was passed by a disabled runner wearing a pair of carbon fibre transtibial artificial limbs - similar to those worn by Blade Runner Oscar Pistorius. He just scorched past us, and we looked at each other in wonder at this amazing runner. "Well, at least he doesn't have to stop to tie up his shoelaces," was all I could say.

To be fair, we weren't running slowly and strolling along at seven-and-a-half minute mile, but this fella just eased past, the blades which looked like upside question marks, just skimming across the Tarmac road. I felt as if I had been left standing, and that moment gave me the massive kick up the backside I needed.

The route of the Turkey Trot took us mainly down country lanes and through picturesque villages. As I began to enjoy the race, I picked up the pace and the miles were very quickly rattled off.

For the leading finishers, they each received a prize turkey. I finished 195th from a field of 762 runners in a time of 1hr 38min 6sec. I felt like a prize turkey, but was glad to have wrapped up race 74. The end really is in sight.

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