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I had my eye on a local running event, The Mast Race 10k by Hillrunner UK, but I did a recce before I committed. In the first mile of the run I knew that I wouldn't take part, it was just up hill, and not being a very good runner, especially with hills my confidence in my ability to run this was at a low, and so I decided to marshal! Marshalling is something that all runners should try to do at some point. They're usually unpaid volunteers stood out in whatever the weather to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for the runners. Where would we be without the marshal stood in the country lane pointing left or right, or without the manned water stations? Unfortunately I work weekends and don't drive so it's not an easy option for me. I rarely run parkrun, so I don't marshal it either, and if there's a running event I usually have to travel for it, so I take part in it. This event was local, and someone I knew was running it, so I asked for a lift there...

Choose running. Choose Couch to 5K. Choose a half marathon. Choose an ultramarathon because apparently 26.2 miles isn’t enough. Choose a GPS watch that nags you about your VO2 max.  Choose trainers so expensive you feel guilty running through puddles. Choose leggings, technical tees, and a drawer full of race T-shirts you’ll never wear. Choose blisters, chafing, and the sweet agony of foam rolling. Choose carbs. Choose cake. Choose eating like you’re carbo-loading even when you’re not. Choose a running club that talks about splits more than bananas. Choose a Strava account and try to pretend you don’t care about the kudos. Choose gels that taste like regret and hydration tablets that turn your water into science. Choose a Sunday morning start line, shivering in the rain, wondering what the hell you were thinking. Choose not scrolling endlessly on your phone, sinking into the couch, wasting hours of your life on nothing. Choose running away from the noise, the stress, and the weight...