Great Lakes 2012. From the rousing race briefing before hand, to spending 4h in a washing machine, to descending from slight side, dropping out of the clag and seeing the whole field spread out across Mosedale infront of me - I'd only seen 2 other people for much of the race from Bowfell onwards - to charging into the swollen river Esk shouting 'FOR GONDOR' as others supported each other across, to taking on most of the final descent of Blisco face first on my belly. What a day - I still count it as the day I properly realised this was for me.

I went on holiday for a week after, my wet kit stuck in my car at Liverpool Airport. Needless to say it stunk when I got back.