A reminder ……..

That really is a beautiful song and the message in that video is portrayed to perfection …

I have been training hard and really enjoying the whole momentum of what my Ultra challenge has become , its given me back the confidence in myself and my abilities that was maybe lost when my climbing took a back seat to business and the level at which I was climbing began to slip , it felt like maybe I was past it , getting to old and scared to take on the challenges of extreme rock … but I had been an E5 rock climber ,a lofty grade of skill and danger and staying there doesn’t come without a lot of determination and training , something I had little time for as my shop grew and became more than one , the addition of the kilt shop really took its toll as it was a summer season business so my climbing just fell apart , I wasnt happy , even my kayaking which had already hit its peak several years back was slipping further , lack of practice takes its toll and last year in the Alps BANG !!! , a dislocation from a mistake that would never have happened several years ago put me out !!!  but Cest La Vie , it’s the reason I’m now an ultra runner !! the reason I just ran the Marathon Des Sable , but not the reason I was stupid enough to sign up for the Scottish Ultra , the toughest multi stage race the UK has to offer .. AND the Gobi desert Race in July … what the fuck was I thinking !!! my feet are still in tatters since the Sahara and they will probably fall apart on day 2 , pull out people have said  to me but I can’t , it’s not in my psyche’ to do that .. ever , no matter what !! not without at least giving it a shot , but most of all it’s a mark of respect and Charity !! I took the Scottish Ultra and Gobi Desert race on in an attempt to raise awareness for Multiple Sclerosis and the amazing people who help anonymously behind the scenes , my own awareness being brought about after a life changing event that a very good friend of mine has gone through , a friend whom I respect so very much and part of me wanted to do something to show him my appreciation of his friendship , we had a hard time once but we moved on and have never dwelt on the bad time both he and I had to endure , a very good friend indeed !!

This is a very tough year to raise money , charities all over the country are struggling due to lack of donation and I fight hard to help , and so far we have raised well over £2000 for MS Borders and I certainly hope to raise a lot more , everyone who has donated and everyone who now gives a second thought to Multiple Sclerosis because I made them a little bit more aware are what drives me to man up and  run on the sore feet to complete challenge number 2 , its a 150 mile 5 day race across the most Beautiful part of Scotland that is “The Scottish Borders” , this year the race starts in Glen Trool and finishes in Melrose only 10 miles from my house , I know this county well and it certainly wont be easy , its got hills , lots of them , energy sapping long grass and heather .. our equivalent of sand !!!

So on Wednesday Morning at 8am I will be on the starting line of the UKs toughest foot race not just for fun but because it means so much more than just running …..

 http://www.justgiving.com/marko3006/