Originally written June 2024
Yes, I ran a half marathon today without anything resembling proper preparation.
I was still recovering from 3M3D, had been under the weather, lost my voice for six days, hadn’t slept properly because of constant coughing, and my body was still trying to work out what I had done to it during the last race.
You would think this would have been enough information for me to pull out.
Apparently not. 
At the time, my reasoning was that after training for marathons, a half marathon should practically be a walk in the park.
There was also another part of me involved — the part shaped by growing up in a very primitive village where motor vehicles were scarce and walking was simply how you got somewhere. Sick, tired or uncomfortable, life still had to continue.
That upbringing taught me resilience, and I’m grateful for it.
Although, in hindsight, resilience and good decision-making are not necessarily the same thing.
I finished the half marathon, collected the medal and was very pleased with myself.
Would I recommend running 21 kilometres while sick and sleep-deprived?
Absolutely not.
Would the version of me in this photo have listened to that advice?
Also probably not.
Stories Along the Way 