Why do I do it?

As I was running through the grounds of Hampton Court Palace on a long training run recently, a woman called out "Is it worth it?" as I passed her. "I hope so!" was all I could manage to reply, but it got me thinking of all the things I should have said.

I was obviously looking too haggard for her to believe that I might actually be enjoying myself. It was a beautiful, bright autumnal morning, I was in wonderful suroundings, keeping fit and getting into that state of mind where my mind can roam freely, untroubled by the pressing concerns of my working week. I had just come through Bushy Park, where great majestic stags were bellowing their challenges to each other across the grass and bracken. I had seen serene swans gliding on ponds while smaller waterfowl squabbled and chased and dived around them. I had watched a kestrel being chased off by 3 crows. There are always all kinds of beautiful and interesting things to be seen whenever you go anywhere where there is some wildlife. It doesn't have to be remotest Wales or Scotland either. Wildlife is returning to our cities. You can see peregrine falcons in central London. Just keep your eyes open.

Then there's the other issue of the physical effort. Yes it can hurt sometimes. 2 weeks before, I had a terrible run. But that is balanced by the sense of achievement. I still managed to get myself round without giving up completely. And the following week I increased the distance and ran it feeling OK all the way round.

So to that woman in Hampton Court, and to anyone who wonders the same thing, Yes it emphatically is worth it. Nobody is making me do these training runs. I'm doing it for fun.