One thing I don’t think I’ve mentioned so far is that I’m a big fan of running. I enjoy strapping on a pair of trainers and heading out on the open road to be alone with my thoughts in peace and quiet while simultaneously challenging myself and (trying to) stay fit. I especially enjoy running when I go away, exploring new place, unknown trails and paths and experiencing running in different conditions is really fulfilling to me. And so, this anecdote is from my recent family holiday abroad…

A few weeks ago, during my regular Sports Massage, my therapist told me that my right ankle looked a big swollen. I hadn’t really noticed before that. I’d had a lazy few months, only managing to motivate myself for a few short runs a few weeks apart and so the ankle issue hadn’t really borne itself out. A few days later, I ran a 10k race and really pushed myself but, about half way into the race, I could feel my ankle causing me pain and after the race both the ankle and upper shin gave me a few days of grief. Nothing a week in the sunshine and some light rehabilitation runs couldn’t fix.

We flew out on holiday and on the third day I decided it was time to stop being a lazy bastard and get out there. At 7am it was already 25 degrees and I managed a lovely 4 miles along the coastal path, tracking the seas the whole way into the local town and back. Nothing too fast, just a nice plod.. the ankle felt ok.

A couple of days more on the sun lounger and over-indulging in the all-you-can-eat buffet and I decided it was time to head out again, but I wanted to find a different route. This time I set out away from the town, into the country. A nice paved path gave way to gravelled trail, which then turned into a rougher path. I’d only gone about 1km and wanted to get a few more under my belt before I turned back so I continued. The ‘path’ continued to denigrate, turning into a very uneven rocky (and steep) trail.

It was at this point I began to feel my ankle and thought that on this terrain it would be very easy to go over on it. If that happened, I’d be in trouble, miles from a road, up a hill and with no access to help. But I continued. You see, I was really enjoying myself. A new terrain, incredible views over the sea, the wind in my face. It was an adventure and I was loving it. And so, I put the thought of my ankle out of my head, tried to pick my footings really carefully and continued another 2km up the hill until I ran out of steam before turning back and picking my way back downhill (even more challenging!). It was incredible and absolutely a highlight of my holiday.

And so this is the point I want to make. If you always take the safe option, you’ll never live the highs. You’ll repeat the same lovely but slightly boring paved road along the sea into town day after day after day. You’ll never see or do anything new, anything that really makes you feel alive. You’ll never get to live for the journey without thinking only of the destination. Life will be fine but in order to win big, you need to stop playing it safe and take risks (even calculated ones). Over the last few months, I’ve had a number of friends fall seriously ill or die through illness. It’s made me even more determined to live big, take risks and experience as much as I can in the time I have, however long that may be.

The day after returning home from holiday, I went out for a run on the roads I’ve run a thousand times before and know like the back of my hand… and turned my ankle just around the corner from my house. Bloody typical! 🙄