People choose to ring in the New Year in a variety of different ways, some seemingly crazier than others.
Yesterday in South Wales, 1,352 swimmers braved the cold sea for a New Year’s Day swim in Pembrokeshire.
Others choose to say in bed until late morning, emerging from their pits for a lazy cooked breakfast and then a marathon session of television watching.
I’m not judging.
Yesterday morning saw me join 260 other runners at the foot of Box Hill in Surrey, landmark from the London Olympics cycle races, to take on the ‘Knacker Cracker’.
This race has been voted as the best trail race in Britain on a couple of occasions. It is organised by the same (slightly eccentric) individual behind the Greensand Marathon I ran back in October, although the Knacker Cracker is arguable much tougher and much madder.
Standing on the start line in gale force winds, heavy rain and a caveman costume (it was fancy dress, that was all I had in the cupboard) hypothermia was quickly setting in and even a rousing rendition of the National Anthem did little to raise my core temperature.
Before too long we were off, straight up Burford slope to be met by a bagpiper who we would see again when we made it back up to the viewpoint. The brave and hardy marshals also made a great effort, with one dressed as a giant snowman creating a rather surreal moment running through the woodland.
Running up and down Box Hill three times in the rain and minimal clothing might not be the perfect way to start the year, but it beats lying in bed with a hangover, in my opinion.
Crossing the finish line in 90th place, I was straight back into my car to defrost and start thinking about the rest of my race calendar for 2014.
My big goal this year is to complete a number of ultra distance races, starting with the 30 mile long Winter Tanners later this month and then the 50 mile North Downs Way ultramarathon in May.
In August I am attempting to run over 67 miles around the Isle of Wight coastal path, raising funds for our nominated charity, the excellent Jigsaw Trust.
Filling the gaps between these challenges are several 10km trail races, the new Surrey Half Marathon in March (along with my colleague Andrew) and the Brighton Marathon in April. Andrew tackles the Virgin Money London Marathon a week later.
Whatever personal or business goals you have set for yourself in 2014, we wish you every success.
