As part of my training for the summer ultra, I did Ashridge boundary run yesterday, nearly 18 miles of trail with 1600 ft of elevation. The run was through stunning countryside – woods, fields, along ridges, valleys, by a golf course – but the hills were tough and I always struggle more in a race to keep going. About sixteen miles in, after yet another hill, I could easily have walked to the end. I was thinking about Jasmin Paris and her Barkley Marathons finish last year, where after 100 miles and 60,000ft of elevation she ran to the finish line with 90 seconds to spare, the first woman ever to finish; a phenomenal achievement that I have watched many times. I ended up chanting her name in time with my steps and ran to the finish, also helped by the massive downhill in the last mile. Anyway, it reminded me of this poem which I wrote last year, in awe of what she’d done.
Jasmin Paris
goddess of perseverance and determination
Jasmin Paris
queen of never been done before
Jasmin Paris
high priestess of first woman ever
your name in an incantation on my lips and in my heart
my new race mantra
When I want to keep running but my legs say no
when I need to keep moving but my mind is against me
when there’s still miles to go and my heart is faltering
your name is an invocation that sets a new rhythm for my feet
Jas-min Par-is
Jas-min Par-is
Jas-min Par-is
accompanying me to the end.
With huge thanks to Lisa and Mark who suggested the race and gave me a lift.
Run for your life 