Runs Writes Code

There is in the worst of fortune the best of chances for a happy change - Euripides  Ἰφιγένεια ἐν Ταύροις It is so easy to curse one's lot, to only see the dark in the crueler twists of Fate. But the course of life flows like a river carrying its bobbing human cargo from one landing to the next. A bump along the way can send you spinning at odds with the direction you had plotted for your life. The detritus that struck me was Mastocytosis, a disease of the blood, the skin and, potentially, every other organ. In Mastocytosis exercise risks mast cell degranulation and patients are advised to avoid it. I've ignored this advice and completely changed my life to allow exercise back in. I've built a metaphorical raft and taken control as best I can and Fortune has responded by offering up an opportunity to show that Mastocytosis doesn't mean you cannot exercise, cannot get on with your life and - even more importantly - this opportunity gives me the chance to raise funds...

Some 20 months after I'd last pinned a number to my chest I decided to take the plunge once more. I've always liked the Fife AC midweek series and, having missed the first race (4 of 5 to count), it was now or never. I felt fatigued all day and wondered at the wisdom of my decision. I was still wondering if I was doing the right thing as I hoped from foot to foot in the Strathkinness village hall, chewing a stick of liquorice and watching the clock. I had a short jog and went through as much of the dynamic warm up as I could remember. At the start, out of habit, I looked around trying to figure out who the competition was. I'd been gone so long that there were too many new faces to judge. I knew Kirsty was on form and would beat me for sure, another four or five looked faster than me too. I lined up a couple of rows behind Kirsty. Then we were off, I set off too fast, in about third place, then slowed and was passed by half a dozen women. So, I thought, I'm not so ...

Last weekend I ran a stretch of the gem that is the Fife Coastal Path with Neil and it was so good I went back twice this weekend! Yesterday was meant to be Elie to Crail but a certain mini lop delayed my departure and I had to go straight to Anstruther to catch the hourly bus. That did though mean I had energy left for another adventure today. I drove to Crail and hung out with the snowbirds waiting for the 95 bus. I was the only one on the bus without a blue rinse and a backpack. I ran down to the path and took some pictures before deciding to stuff my jacket into my waist bag. It wasn't long before the buff and arm warmers were off too. I don't really like to stop once I'm running so my iPhone (camera) stayed stuffed in my pack until  the ruins of Newark Castle (near St Monans). The path rises and falls from coast to cliff again and again; opening out onto endless sea vistas and diving down to secluded coves The undulations of the ...