Amy wins Gold

Wow, heart stopping stuff. It felt like Bathampton was holding their breath. The first two runs and Amy Williams was in gold position over night and got a course record. Was it on? Was it possible? Talent and skill she had, but what about nerves, could she hold it. I'm sure her stomach was in knots, I expect her duodenum was even twisted. A whole day to wait. We couldn't bear it, how did she? Day two and run three was about to start, my legs were jelly, but Amy was as cool as you like, bam, another course record. Then the long wait, last to go down, we're all praying that she doesn't tumble and her chance for gold missed. The sled goes down on the ice, she pushes and gracefully starts her slide. One corner two, and the rest, all eyes on the clock, it's looking good, it is, Amy Williams wins gold.

I feel the pressure on. No more than a week or so away and I am competing in a half marathon. Eight years Amy trained and practiced and honed her skills. Eight months I have tried to run along the footpath of the canal, sometimes succeeding, other times I've had to walk a mile or two back home, defeated unable to run any further. What makes it worst, I thought I could achieve my own personal gold, to complete 13.1 miles in under 1 1/2 hours. Why didn't we opt for a jumble sale instead, to raise money for the youth activities? But negative feelings I can't have. This is as much a mental feat as it is a physical. What if Bob Dylan listened to his critics or Al Pachino thought he weren't good enough? Would we have some of the finest songs to listen to or some of the greatest film to watch? Positivity and self belief is good, and that is going to help me achieve my gold.

look out Amy Williams, another athlete is on your tail!

See you at the next event - Jon