It took me an evening of pancakes - trust me much better in theory than in practice, to finally decide what I would give up for Lent. Ash Wednesday is not just a lingering day of obligation in the Catholic calender - it conjures for those die hard Catholic girls and boys memories of abstaining from chocolate and in more recent years alcohol!
Rather than the usual promises of no sweets or crisps I have decided this year to rather than give something up I will be embracing a sense of thinking: positive thinking and courage are the order of the next 40 days and 40 nights!
Why such a touchy feely proclamation I hear you mumble whilst scoffing your third pancake - If you've dabbled in reading my previous ramblings aka blog posts you will know that I am due to run the Lincoln 10k Road Race on Sunday 21st March with the aim of raising money for Bassetlaw Hospice http://www.bassetlawhospice.org/ However just over a week ago I fell ill with what I thought was a troublesome yet simple infection, the clever doctors seem to think otherwise - apparently my long standing yet mild bowel disease has most probably progressed to Crohn's.
This new disease will take some dealing with and all the other things that come with being ill - I am determined to keep my promise of dragging my reluctant bones around the city of Lincoln in the name of charity. Yes the remaining period of training will be increasingly tough but the sense of achievement when I cross the finish line (albeit with the added incentive of a Brunch time glass of champagne!) is something that I hope will keep my spirits high when my shin splints are playing up.
A final thank you to the sacrificial pancakes this evening for providing me with the eureka moment as to my direction through the Lent of 2010, Lets hope it doesn't take me to Emerald City in search of my much needed courage.
