I do not like that DNF,
I do not like the miles I left.
I do not like that memory -
Of quitting time, of stopping me.
I do not like the dream replay,
I'm at mile 70 every day.
No bones were sticking out my leg,
I cracked just like a broken egg.
Two points of pride are what I've left,
Along with one fat DNF.

It's not Shakespeare but it's all I've got at the moment. Tell you what, had I known the level of torment that Ridgeway 86 conclusion would deliver me, I'd have mulled it over a bit longer.  I don't know that I could have physically done things any differently to be fair, but to say I'm haunted by the outcome is a bit of an understatement. It's also significantly unfortunate.

But more so, I think it's just mostly about the unfinished business. So seeing as I was struggling to identify the perfect way to mark my 50th birthday next month, this is now a no-brainer.

I retired at 8:47 am. So on my birthday, October 28, at 8:47 am, I will set off from Foxhill and finish what I set out to do last month. It won't be 100 miles but it will be done. I think a birthday 50k will suffice.

Climbing Snowdon and Scafell Pike those years ago vanquished that other demon, let's hope it works again.

Still, I will most certainly be back on that start line next August.

Relentless forward progress after all.