How many of you, as I do, oscillate between cynicism and optimism? What side does most of your thought-energy go?

It’s raining.

My legs feel a little heavy, but still lighter than last week.

I’m soaked through, but I’m wearing lycra, so the wet has turned into an insulating layer and doesn’t bother me.

The superfluous clothes I’m wearing are giving me a couple of extra pounds to carry, like I need that. Still, as my running coach/tormentor tells me “It’s good practice”.

This is my last training running before I do the Tough Mudder See here for the clip.

I’m running, cycling through my personal holy quadrants of running

Head up (it used to be bowed down)

Elbows back (it aids running efficiency and was a massive factor in improving my technique)

Breathe in (sounds like a no brainer but my default was emphasizing the outbreath only)

Lift legs/Lengthen stride (I used to move legs little as possible, obsessing about conserving energy so I could complete run).

So, I’m cycling through these, then I see it!

My Patronus.

I see a deer, magnificent and in beautiful condition.

I take it as a sign that I have hidden strength, (a belief I’ve flirted with multiple times during my life) and that the Event is going to go brilliantly and I’m going to have a great time.

I’ve chosen to believe that this sign means I’m going to have happen.

Let’s see if it works!

I leave you with a quote I say practically every day, and they are those of 1300’s Literary Uber-Nun Julian of Norwich (yes, she had a bloke’s name)…

All shall be well

And all shall be well

And all manner of things shall be well

Julian of Norwich

Julian of Norwich