Why?

We've briefly touched on how we started this whole thing but why we're continuing with it, is just as if not more interesting. I'm only speaking for myself here as Dan may want to chime in with his tuppence worth at a later date.

Firstly, its probably down to some sort of pride and not wanting to back down from a challenge. Not that I never bail on something tough but I hate to do so. However I've seen Back to The Future 2 and 3, and just doing something to keep up with Jones' (Or The Evans' in this case) is never a solid enough reason. So there must be more.

I'm doing this for fitness, as I'm not always the healthiest of chaps,diet and exercise wise. Since starting back at training over last few months, I've lost around two stone and I am feeling generally better about myself. Having a crazy goal means I have to work for it, if I'm not scared I'll not train. Still along way to go though, as I did eat Pizzas on at least 5 days of last week.

I just want to be able to say I did it, and to prove to myself that I can. It may impress some folk but the main response so far is "You're nuts. Why?" Plus there is always mortality breathing down your neck, if not now,when? I'm not getting any younger

And the idea just got stuck in the mind, why not do it? What's stopping me? Nothing but me, and I don't let me tell myself what he can and can't do. (That may explain a lot actually)

I find it so Zen. People have asked me what I think about on the longer races. Not much, there are some sums to work out how far I've come,how far I've got to go and yes some motivational cussing. A lot of the time, its just me on autopilot,mind off, legs engaged, its a very physical meditation.

Finally its actually kind of fun. You can all remind me of this when I'm whining in a few months time but there is something enjoyable about just using your body in an athletic manner. no matter how slow or unwieldy that body is. Remember scampering around as a kid, just enjoying being alive. Sometimes on a really good day, you recapture a bit of that joie de vivre.

Surely that's worth all the blisters, chafed nipples, water in the ear and saddles sores. Well it is for me.