Raised a runner, I’ve known the sport since my earliest memory. In fact, my first ever trip out of the house was to watch my Dad run 1 hour 22 at the 1985 Bungay Black Dog Half Marathon.
As a young teen I simply wanted to be fast; racing 400m & 800m – County Champion at the later, with a PB time of 2 minutes flat. While also competing at national level indoor athletics and national schools cross country.
By college many of my running peers from high school had stopped. Maybe it was time; for most it was girls and parties. Some chose other goals, and others simply lost ambition. At university I spent 3 years of running the North Staffordshire Cross Country League and the BUCS Cross Country Championships. 2006 also witnessed my London Marathon debut.
By post-graduate I was all consumed. Each day was spent in a spellbound state of ambition; a fine-balance of excitement, business professionalism, and athlete amateurism. Trying to cram more of everything I love than I can fit into each day. Foolishly believing that if I just want it more I’ll be successful.
But all that feels like a lifetime ago. Stepping into this ultra-running dream out of raw curiosity; the past 8 years it has impacted nearly each of my days. It has played part in just about all my friendships, and left an indelible impression on my identity.
RUN WITH PURPOSE
The gift my dad gave me as a child has been the only thing that has kept us close for the past few years. Using sport as an excuse to connect; texting words of advice, encouragement, and to celebrate success.
I will never know how much I’d care about running if he hadn’t given it to me at birth. But I’m truly thankful that he did.
THE DREAM IS STILL ALIVE
‘The greatest crime we can commit is going to bed without a dream, and waking up without a purpose’
The foundation of this dream is simple: the ability to run fast at length.
The details: Spartathlon. A historic 246-kilometre ultramarathon race held annually in Greece since 1983; between Athens and Sparti, the modern town on the site of ancient Sparta.
The act of trying consistently for something this difficult, for this long has demanded more for longer, than I ever imagined. But I’m closer now than ever.
ULTRA RUNNING DAD
At the very beginning of my ultra-running journey I became a Dad myself for the first time. And 8 years later, I’m now a proud Dad of three.
One of the most rewarding things about being an ultra-running Dad is watching these guys find magic and appreciate the great outdoors. Encouraging them daily to explore their dreams and adventure into the unknown.
FASTER TOMORROWS
The promise of faster tomorrows is still alive. It’s been a long time since I’ve been able to see the possibility of my true potential; what I’m capable of accomplishing if everything falls into place.
This year I’ve been running free. An experience to which words cannot do justice, and for which a runner spends a lifetime searching.
INTROSPECTION, FOCUS & GRATITUDE
If nothing else, 2020 has been a year of regaining perspective. A possible silver lining of ‘hard times’, is that they encourage introspection, focus and gratitude – What matters most to us? And how do we live up to that?
As I look back – not just over this year – but all three decades of running; I simply want to say thank you. Thank you all for sharing and caring. Laughing and loving. I couldn’t, and wouldn’t be here without your ongoing loyalty and support. Neither of which will ever be taken for granted.
It’s with the relentless support of too many people to individually mention, from my entire family and closest friends, I know what at first seemed an impossible dream, is indeed still possible.
‘Be grateful for what you are now, and keep fighting for what you want to be tomorrow’
Run with purpose.
Thank you for reading.
Ash
Coach & Ultra Running Dad