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News > Archive > David Floyd Relives The Exmoor

David Floyd Relives The Exmoor

David Floyd (66-69C) asks what is the point of running 12 miles in a circle?  
23 Jan 2014
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Charlie Swaine and David Floyd
Charlie Swaine and David Floyd
This photograph was taken on the Exmoor crosscountry run in the late autumn of 1968. On the left is Charlie Swaine and to the right David Floyd. At the time, we were both in the V Form.
 
When running 12 miles through the Exmoor countryside, the question frequently came to me (and probably all my fellow runners) - what is the point of running 12 miles in a circle in all weathers ? Well of course we were indeed running for the House Points (in my case Courtenay points)  and if I recall, I earned for my House, on this particular run, quite a few points as I came in, believe 10th or 11th.  But in fact, there was an even more important motivator that kept me running....namely WATER !!
 
You see, back in 1968, there was one communal bath for ALL the runners and if you were lucky to be one of the first to arrive back at school, a deliciously hot and clean bath was waiting for you. And frankly, that was why I was always a good cross country runner !

Alas, the stragglers would arrive at school freezing cold and muddy, to be met by a cold and very black bath !
 
The moral of the story is: Motivation is Everything !! 
 
David Floyd
(66-69 C)
 
 

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