Hard to know where to start with this one, 2010 has in many respects been the worst year of my life going through a divorce which I can confidently say is an experience I would never wish on anyone. Coupled with the loss of Granny at the start of the year and a serious stroke to Grandma 2 weeks ago it has been a year to forget.
However, even through this awful period there have been some surprising positives and many of them have come from ultra running and the ultra running community. Having the distraction of training for UTMB was a great way to focus on something away from the breakdown of my marriage and everything that followed. Running is a great escape and gave me a huge amount of strength to cope with the emotional stress I was experiencing. Competing in the Pilgrim Challenge, the Jurassic Coast Challenge, the UK 100k Trailwalker and the ultimately curtailed UTMB helped me process what was going on elsewhere. It is not just the running itself which I drew strength from but also the people I was running for and the people I met running. I run all my races for Help 4 Heroes and knowing what those brave men and women have gone through put all my own issues into perspective and helped keep me going when my body was begging me to stop!
The greatest benefit from ultra running is by far the people. I have been deeply humbled by the welcoming and supportive nature of some incredible people. At I time when I was necessarily losing friends who I have known some 6 years by virtue of the divorce new friends were appearing who more than made up for those I had lost. A fab girl I met in Namibia gave me great tips for UTMB and then recommended the JCC and in doing so introduced me to Mark and Jenna (also Namibia vets) and the three of them very much took me under their wing and helped me back on my feet through their immense generosity of spirit. They have become great friends and I hope 2011 brings me the opportunity to return some of the friendship they have shown me. Through them I met Philipp my running partner for UTMB and if the organisers hadn't called it off after 3.5 hours I am sure he would have helped me to the finish.
I also have to thank two wonderful sisters I also met in Namibia for their support. Despite living in Hong Kong their thoughtfulness and friendship has been fantastic even if one of them talked me into joining her 100k Trailwalker team! The little things make such a difference when you are having a tough time and the invites to join them skiing and drinks in London all helped massively. Coupled with all the support and advice from the legendary Frank the Tank I have actually been incredibly fortunate to have discovered ultra-running only 2 years ago and discovered the amazing supportive nature of the ultra running community.
The list goes on and you all know who you are and I am very grateful to know you all and count you as my friends.
Outside of the running world my brother and a mate from school must be singled out for their unbelievable support over the last year. Total legends -nuff said!
So after the lows of 2010 it is with some optimism that I look forward to 2011. I have a new career outside of law (a career I have wanted to leave for some time!!), the opportunity to finally get on the property ladder, an application pending for UTMB 2011 (fingers crossed I get through the ballot!), Racing the Planet Nepal and various other adventures which hopefully will mark the beginning of a new chapter.
All that of course begins tomorrow, now it is time for champagne and beers!
Happy New Year!!
