-caz-

Took up running when I was 12, managed to win Strathcarron 10km race twice in four years (1st school boy) then started half marathons illegally since I was under 18. Then the drink, women, football & cars took over my life and the training fell by the way side. I came back to run the London Marathon in 1994 before I snapped my left ankle playing football. This gave me five years away from running completely. I started a comeback in 1999 to do another marathon, this time New York. I then had another 18 month holiday before Paris Marathon became no.3 in 2001. Injury in Paris put me off running again, I stated I'd never run another marathon again......how wrong was I. In 2004 I ran two in six weeks, Amsterdam & Milan, plus I knew my entries to London & Edinburgh in 2005 had been accepted. I suffered following Edinburgh and hadn't ran since, until May 2006 when I set myself another challenge, this time marathon no.8 in Chicago. Another layoff from running occured in 2007 but I still chased my goal of 10 marathons completing no.9 in October in Dublin. Bagged my 10th marathon in Berlin 2009 then announced my immediate retiring from the 42.195km distance.

Now gonna be focusing on the smaller distances with a view to re-discovering my real racing legs, if they still exist

I find running enjoyable, as long as you can tackle the physical & psychological demands you put yourself under.