17 days and counting. 🏁 🎽
When I started running in 2015, I never thought it would result in me ever representing the UK. Now, granted ultra-running is niche in itself, and the Backyard Ultra format even more so, but it feels pretty special regardless. 🇬🇧 🌟
A big part of getting into running was the mental component. Both with how it made me feel in the moment and immediately after but also how the discipline of running helped me grow in self-belief and expand my mindset. It allows me to ask "What is possible?" This expands beyond running too. 🧠✨
The Backyard Ultra is proudly named "The race with no finish." This format of running a 4.167-mile loop on the hour, every hour until one person is left standing ticks all the boxes for me and allows me once again to redefine "What is possible." 🚀🧑🚀
We're currently navigating peak-week. Yesterday was two-loops of The Smilinggg Loop of Love, one during daylight and one under moonlight. 24-miles on trail. Today was a single loop before I head off to work. Hopefully I will be able to tally up a decent number of miles and put one last stressor through the system before we start lowering the mileage and recovering, ready for the dance to begin at 1pm on Saturday 15th October in Suffolk. ➰🫶
Once this week is out of the way, I will turn my attention to setting up and promoting the Samaritans fundraising component of this upcoming challenge. We are a little over £500 away from breaking £20,000 raised for Mind Charity (up until 2018) and Samaritans (2017 - present) since Smilinggg began back in 2015. Wow, just wow! Thank you 👏🙏
I hope you're having a terrific week. ☺️🫡
Steps 👣 + Smiles 🤗
Keep #Smilinggg 💛