Off and running

Registration complete, flight booked, accommodation booked. We're now fully committed, and perhaps should be. A short run to start with. A familiar jaunt down along the canal towpath, the icy wind lashing into my face and a steady three miles which all but completely wiped me out. But it has to start somewhere and those first three miles were not a disaster, more a reminder of how far I've yet got to go - and only 250 odd days to do it. But I will. Clearly the mother-in-law has her doubts, questioning the wisdom of the venture as I stand with her in the chilly school playground, laughing as our son's face moons from behind the glass classroom door. But then I can understand that, and those closest to me will provide the support I need, the doubters only serving to make me more determined. It's going to be a question of slipping in the runs wherever and however I can - when the kids are asleep at either end of the day as the weather picks up, perhaps alongside a cycling family at the weekend, but for now squashed and squeezed around the necessities of work and domestic life. Perhaps we should get a dog. Spaniels seems popular around here, as I saw three on this first run, making me idly wonder whether different areas have a bias towards particular dogs - hard and short in the North, fluffy and leggy in the South, plain daft in the west. A spaniel would no doubt make a good running partner, their bouncy ears brightening the spirits on a long run, although a tendency to dart in different directions may prevent adherence to a particular route and pace. The idea quickly fades. Not yet. Suzanne - our daughter - is still at the stage of terrorising the cat and two highly excitable animals in the house would no doubt drive poor Lilly into a feral state. Perhaps once this is all over and I need a more routine exercise method. Perhaps then dog walking will appeal more. For now though we're literally off and running. The journey has started with a few small strides on wintery roads and I'm looking forward to the ride. Positive thinking. Distance run to date: 3.17 miles. Weight: 13st 4lbs.