“Progress has never been a bargain, you have to pay for it.” Henry Drummond, Inherit the Wind.

24 Jan – Days to go on 100 days dry: 78. Days until the Dartmoor Way: 111

This was a big weekend, for a number of reasons. Firstly, the walk was huge and tiring, but the sense of accomplishment was great when we finally got home. Secondly on Sunday, I walked #dogbeast to the pub with the other half and some friends and enjoyed two pints of lime and soda whilst those around me supped on beautiful, dark, malty beer.

With not a little glee I found that I wasn’t tempted to have one. Not through some misplaced sense of superiority, but rather because the outcome I am chasing is worth more to me than breaking my promise to myself.

The weekend walk was so good. I was a little nervous before setting out, but delighted when we got back. I am going to do exactly the same route this coming Saturday, as I can measure progress and my mental state when I get to the bottom of TBH. It will be just me, I think I might leave #dogbeast at home this time. He was completely done for by the time we got home. (He is nearly 9) and #littleDacombe has got other plans. Still, I have some 20 hours of the complete works of Sherlock Holmes on Audible, so will at least have Stephen Fry for company. And honestly, I’m not sure anyone could ask for more than that.

I didn’t go running on Sunday. My legs were grumbling and it was technically a rest day, so I don’t feel too bad about it. I have treated myself to some proper road running shoes which arrive tomorrow. I will be fascinated to see how they impact (no pun intended) my running. My shins were starting to ache after each run, so a conversation with #littleDacombe led me to a brand of shoes I had not heard of. She ran her first marathon at the end of last year, so pretty confident in her recommendation.

I would classify this as the ‘end of the beginning’. I know I have so much further to go, but now have a pattern I am gaining confidence in. Logic dictates that there is a crash coming, the challenge now is to continue to weigh the objective against the effort required. Keeping myself honest here is going to be the key.

“I told myself that spreading news was part of a traveler’s nature, but if I was being completely honest, I was just like everyone else: sh*t scared of the great unknown.” Richard, The Beach.