The Hour

Yep, so that’s it, the million metres are DONE.

Without a tickertape parade and various riches being thrust upon me it didn’t feel like too much of a milestone when finally achieved, though it was something of a relief.

I’d actually been pretty close to the million metre milestone since doing the two marathons in three weeks a couple of months ago. (Those being the Marathon du Medoc on 10th September and Loch Ness Marathon on 2nd October.)

For a while since then I’d bided my time trying to think of a suitably spectacular way with which to do the millionth metre. Laser show? Fireworks? Me being blasted out of a cannon into a vat of whisky?

Unfortunately I spent so much time philosophising over this – with most ideas completely unworkable given limited finances and the Scottish weather – that eventually I thought it best just to get it over and done with, running up the steps at Kelvingrove Park on a cold Glasgow evening and doing something of a suitably victorious Rocky punch. (See the photo)

After that I ran back home, and have already been on a few jogs since. Never stop, never say die! I guess I could justify a bit of a rest, but I’m reckoning Christmas shall provide enough added plumpness for 2012 that I should launch a pre-emptive strike first.

Anyway, quite a few lovely, lovely people kindly donated towards Cancer Research UK at justgiving.com/michael-maclennan to support me in my efforts. It shall be wonderful if any others can do so in this moment of triumph, though if not I can quite understand (what with Christmas coming and all that).

So this is the end of that, I guess. And what better way to finish that by linking to the video I shot of my unashamed highlight of the million metre run?

That was the Marathon du Medoc (but of course), running in France in the most marvellous weather, with 20+ wine stops and an amazing atmosphere. It was one of the best experiences of my life, and barring any desperate vows of sobriety I fully intended on returning in 2012. Ah, memories:

• You can track Michael’s progress on his RunKeeper page. He is raising money for Cancer Research UK through the million metre challenge, and you can donate at justgiving.com/michael-maclennan.