Russell Turner | Happily Ever After

Happily Ever After

Life in The Rural Retreat with a beautiful wife, three cats, garden wildlife, a camera, a computer – and increasing amounts about running

Earlier posts can be found on Adventures of a Lone Bass Player, where this blog began life. Recent entries can be found here.

Doing Things By Halves Better Late Than Never Another Year Over Running With Dolphins Glasgow And Gladiators Index

When The Going Gets Tough...

by Russell Turner - 16:07 on 29 January 2026

My Manchester prospects are hanging by a thread after a dismal failure yesterday to complete the latest long run. At 14 miles, it was to be less than a mile further than the recent 13.1-which-should-have-been-12; in the end, I could manage only seven miles. I’d expected things to get tough when I reached the 16-mile run, not now.

I set out certain I’d go the distance but four miles later I knew completion would be unlikely: no energy, possibly overdressed despite a cool and breezy day, little motivation to keep trying. Maybe my diet needs improving or I need to do more between runs. Or both. More likely is that Manchester, entered on a whim after London ballot failure, isn’t inspiring enough. The friend who entered with me has already dropped out, which doesn’t help. Manchester’s six-hour cut-off also looms large, combined with memories of the Edinburgh debacle last year.

I’ll try 14 miles again next week (if I can bring myself to do it) but what’s more likely now is that I’m working towards the Virtual London Black Isle A-Z, for which I can get away with not doing silly distances in training.

Could this be the end of my marathon career? I hope not. A London ballot success would definitely perk up the legs, or I could risk a charity place to help motivate me. Summer training for another trip to York also appeals, although October gigs mean it wouldn’t be until 2027, when I’m 69. Tempus fugit.

In the meantime, I’ve six 10ks in the diary, plus a few more pencilled in, and Middlesbrough HM in just over four weeks. There’s still a lot of running to do.

Comment from BikerMike at 07:24 on 30 January 2026.

Ever think you might be wearing yourself out? :-;

Comment from Cathy at 07:48 on 30 January 2026.

Give yourself a break, sack off Manchester (which doesn't mean anything to you), and get back to shorter runs which you'll enjoy as the weather improves. You have another marathon in you, for sure - make it one you really look forward to.

Comment from Russell at 08:45 on 30 January 2026.

It's only a disinclination to admit failure that keeps me hanging on to Manchester. I'll do the sensible thing soon.

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