For 2022 I fear I’ve lost that love for running. It’s not even 2022 and I feel like this, and that’s not counting the Winter that’s still to get through before the trails start to become enjoyable again.

The North Downs Way 50 in 2021 was a bit of a washout. Heavy rain in the week up to the day left the course incredibly slippery with mud. Being on the heavier (denser) side, it made for hard going in Summer trail shoes. And I guess, with 2019 NDW50 not happening, I’d built this race up for two years in my head as a return to great post-covid lockdown Summer running.

So for 2022 I’m setting my sights lower than usual. Partly too because I’m spending more time in the gym building muscle and I’d hate to lose it all getting back to running weight.