About this time last year, I had clocked 2000km of running. I celebrated this milestone by taking a much deserved break from pounding the streets until after Christmas.

This morning, my jogging route ended at the gym for strength training. Year to date mileage? 1742km; 250+ short on my 2017 performance. But unlike last year, am carrying on with the running through to January and on for the new year. Why? I took the challenge from my good friend and mentor, Dave Jenkins to run a mile a day (a lot more for me!).

This is the hardest time of year to stay motivated, not with the many distractions and the overwhelming supply of cookies! Around this time also, the little talked about matter of mental health tolls its bell: Loneliness. Cold and dark days (for those in the Northern Hemisphere). This matter is very personal to me – we lost a uberintelligent and promising young man in the family many Christmases ago on this count. I’ll continue running in memory of him, and while I do, pray for the many who struggle through this season.

And the compromise? Starting with this tin of homemade chocolate pinwheels that I carried to work (and my workmates have already taken dips;-), my cookie intake will increase exponentially. By golly, I only get to indulge once a year! #RWRunStreak