It was only meant to be a Facebook status, but... HOTH 2018: I'M IN!!!

In December 2015, I told my Mum I’d been successful in the ballot for the following June’s 95-mile West Highland Way Race. Baffled, she replied: “I wouldn’t have thought there would have been enough people mad enough to run ninety-five miles to warrant a ballot!”

In December 2017, I told my Mum I was thinking of running back and forth along the Humber Bridge for 36 hours the following August. Nonplussed, she replied: “Ooh, that’s nice – near where I was born!” (Scunthorpe; and I believe as a child they briefly lived in Ferriby. I’ve a few months to check.)

So remember, people: over time, what people perceive as ‘mad’ can be made to appear ‘normal’…

I’ve had my eyes on Hell On The Humber for a few years now. I always figured it would potentially push my mind towards darkness that trail Ultras only administer in small doses, as even the most scenic view can get somewhat boring (at best) after a while. What I could never quite fathom was whether this was a source of attraction or repulsion.

Now, it just so happens that my paternal grandfather was born in May 1918. 2018 therefore marks the centenary of his birth, which took place in Hessle, under the bridge’s shadow.

It also just so happens that, whilst previous editions have featured six, twelve and 24-hour versions, next August will see the introduction of a 36-hour version.

And 18 and 18 make…

So, there you have it: entering a 36-hour race within a stone’s throw of my granddad’s and my mother’s birthplaces in 2018 makes perfect logical sense. Right?

Now for a question for you. Yes, you. YOU!

I’ve baffled many people who’ve asked me if I’m running <enter random event name here> for charity. I fundraised for my first marathon, back in distant 2013, but even then it wasn’t my primary motivation. I would have run Manchester anyway: being able to support the Children’s Hospital that kept me (and, many years later, a cousin of mine) alive when things could easily have gone differently was just a welcome by-product.

Since then, however, I’ve steered away from fundraising. I run for my pleasure and my well-being, and would do so anyway. In the process, my fitness is one that means I feel I could always go out and run a marathon distance. Some days faster than others, but I certainly don’t feel any entitlement to ask you to part with hard-earned cash to do something I enjoy and can do relatively comfortably.

However…

…this one’s not going to be comfortable. Running up and down a bridge from 7pm on a Friday night through to 7am on a Sunday morning* will be ‘uncomfortable’ on a number of levels. And, whilst it’s a challenge I’ll undertake anyway, for once I feel that trying to raise a few bob along the way wouldn’t be unreasonable…

…if I did, would you sponsor me? Just drop a line below. I’ve already got three options in mind: finding a cause with a genuine connection isn’t a problem. It’s feeling justified in asking folk for money because I’m running that is. Now, if I were thinking of skipping a day’s running, after 1,910 consecutive ones, hell I’d feel comfortable asking for sponsorship – because that would be excruciatingly tough. But to run/walk/crawl for a day and a half… hmmm…

…well, that’s going to be excruciating too, right?

. . .

For a giggle, check out the Rules page. For example, when outlining why runners can’t listen to music, they explain that: “Music is a distraction. We want you to be fully aware at all times just how difficult and insane the challenge you’re undertaking is. We work hard to make HOTH as much of a psychological challenge as it is a physical one. Your supporters and crew are allowed them: you are not. Saying “please?” will not change our minds, nor will you bringing enough of them so that everyone else can have one too.”
Sounds a reyt laugh – can’t wait!

. . .

And no, this does not alter my key goals for 2018. They remain, both in terms of priority and chronology, sub-2:55’ at Barcelona Marathon (11/03), sub-10hrs at the Highland Fling (trail; 53 miles, 28/04) and sub-20:30’ at South Downs Way100 (trail; 09-10/06). Bizarrely, I’m looking upon this as a bonus. I’ll train for it, but equally it falls the weekend after our family holiday in Northumberland. It was the one item of concern for Karen when we discussed my 2018 race calendar, as she was understandably worried that I’d be thinking about the race and not relaxing. Whereas, truth be told, a week away tapering and relaxing will be perfect!



* for the benefit on the uninitiated: no, it won’t be non-stop running. There will be walking. There might even be sleeping, although hopefully not. There are requirements to be met, as per the Rules, although I suspect specific criteria will be laid out for the 36-hour runners. Just don’t worry about me: if my body tells me to stop, I will. Or if my mind knocks me out, for that matter. But it should be OK on this one. It’s 10ks it doesn’t like...