Sometimes you have to step back to really see things properly. I have been training like a man possessed for 3 years without a major rest. I have achieved many satisfying results, culminating this year with half-marathon, marathon and 10k times that I am very proud of at the ripe old age of 47. I have certainly become a legend in my own imagination!I've had a few minor setbacks and spells of over-training, but what I am experiencing now is pay-back for never giving myself an extended rest period. My body is now making me take one. Having got over the final wake-up call at the FVS Relays and backing off from running, I've become aware of other interests that have taken a back-seat (or the boot)! All running and no play can make Statto a duller and exhausted boy.
You may be wondering why I've behaved in this manner (or you may not, but I'll go on anyway). Well, without calling in a psychotherapist at £40-50/hr (apparently), I would say this. I do tend towards OCD-type behaviour at times (sorry, must just check I've locked the car again - phew that was close). Couple this with innate insecurity and a need for regular ego reinforcement and you might start to see how running and in partcular PB/Club Record/gong-chasing might make a good fit with my personality! For a number of personal reasons, I've also been less than totally happy in recent years and become increasingly socially withdrawn. You could ask my close friends about this, presuming they can remember who I am. Whilst I value all the friendships I've made at NHRR, running has certainly helped me avoid contact with the real world. Mind you, if you've seen "Inception", you might be questioning if this is real world, so maybe I'm off the hook!
Anyway, of enough of this self-indulgence. All this is not to say that Statto will not be back, meaner and faster than ever, but it will be hopefully with a new appreciation of how to be a smarter, more well-rounded and likeable, obsessive self-centered ego-maniac.
