Jan-15

New Year….. What A Year!!!
Towards the end of 2013, my life, through various reasons, was in a mess. I would pretty much return home
from work and polish off 8 or so cans of lager every evening. At weekends it was easily more. In a major state
of depression I needed to do something.
On the 31 st December as the end of 2013 approached, I decided I had to sort myself out. In what will seem a
moment of madness to many a Dasher at the stroke of midnight I poured the remainder of my pint anyway
and decided I would go for a run the following morning, and not touch a beer for the next 3 months.
On the 1 st January I left my Blacksnape home and set off up to the ‘Last Lamp Post’. There is no exaggeration
when I say I thought I was going to die. I had never felt so out of shape, but I had just taken the first steps into
the year that has totally changed my life.
I signed up for a few events to have something to aim for. Little did I know how additive running was to
become and as I started to lose weight, the hills became easier. Running was no longer hard work, it was fun. I
loved it. From the moment I woke in the morning I couldn’t wait to finish work so I could go out for a run.
Distances grew from 10k’s to half marathons, from half to full marathons. Now I was looking at ultra’s. The 31
mile canalathon started it off, moving onto the Ladybower 50 miler, and peaking at my greatest achievement
so far in the 100km Race to the Stones.
Late summer I decided to join a running club who go by the name of the Darwen Dashers. Basically a bunch of
drinkers and cake eaters who run the roads, paths and trails of Darwen and the surrounding moor lands. On
that first evening, my running was again taken to another level. I knew distances were not a problem, but now
I had to work on speed. Running fast is something I had never been able to do, but over the weeks I found this
group of exceptional people where so supportive of not just me, but of everyone, I was improving in all
aspects. I had been out with another local group once before and they were all competitive and not very
friendly, but the Darwen Dashers, there was something special about this lot.
Towards the end of 2014 I have done Park Runs sub 20 mins, previously I would be happy with 25. I’ve ran in
my first cross country race, lost 3 stone in weight. I can even have a beer without needing more and more…..
These are things I would never have thought possible 12 months ago.
I travelled to Lanzarote to do the marathon there, only for it to be cancelled due to the weather….. I’m from
Darwen, so ran it anyway. Even in the wind and rain I got a suntan!!!
To finish the year I entered the Liverbird Double Marathon. This is a full 26.2 miles on New Years Eve, and
another New Years Day. What a way to finish the year putting everything together and obtaining a marathon
personal best of 3hr 15mins 40 secs – Distance and Speed, my first marathon of 2014 was done in 4hr 1min,
that’s a 45 minute improvement. New Years Day time of 3hr 28mins shows an all round improvement in
recovery and endurance. I can’t put into words I happy I was.
So onto 2015 and the challenges grow even bigger. 2015 is the year of the Triathlon. July 19 th sees me start
and hopefully finish my ultimate challenge in becoming an Ironman.
And the best thing about being a Dasher is I already know that you will support me every stroke, pedal and
step along the way.
Thanks to everyone.
Jonny