The title of this blog post was inspired by the Douglas Adams book, from his Hitchhiker’s’ Guide to the Galaxy series (So long and thanks for all the fish). The series meant something special to Janice and I. While she was in hospital, if she was tired or finding it hard to communicate and I wanted to know if she was aware I was there, I would ask, “What is the meaning of life?”. If you know your Douglas Adams, you’ll know the answer is 42. She always got it right.
Two days from now I’ll be driving south, ready for the flight which will take me to Morocco on Friday. The training is done, the backpack packed. I’ve practiced my food preparation and I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.
I’ve been training through the Lincolnshire winter and spring, which probably doesn’t bear much relation to the conditions I’ll encounter in the desert. Still, Lincolnshire scenery has been pretty inspiring. I thought I’d share some of it with you today. We can compare it with the desert scenes when I get back.
On one recent run I was stalked by a kite. An amazingly majestic creature, soaring above while I struggled over a hilly, rugged footpath across farmlands.
I’ve also enjoyed running past quaint houses and waterways – thinking of the how water will soon be a luxury for me, to be carefully rationed.
So that’s it. So long, I’m off to run the Marathon des Sables. Thank you to everyone who has supported me. I really can’t tell you how much it means. When I get back, I’ll have a lot to share with you, I’m sure.
John's Ultramarathon 