Golden hour

Around about this time of year I am reminded that I once ran a marathon as the throwback and memory posts pop up, highlighting a previous life. I often feel wistful seeing these and do wonder if I might return to the fitness of 10 years younger me, but the moment usually passes.

It’s 9 years now since I completed the Stirling marathon, and although I do occasionally fantasise about doing another marathon ( usually when watching ‘weepy eyed’ the London marathoners cross the finish line), in the intervening years I have exchanged my running shoes for oven gloves and my drive for success to a different type of competition.

Each January where once I would have been ticking off the winter miles by way of race prep, I am instead to be found in the warm and steamy embrace of my kitchen, slicing and juicing Seville oranges and hoping the alchemy of oranges, lemon, water and sugar will result in a perfectly delicious marmalade.

Instead of nervously twitching at my Garmin and trying to pace myself through miles of a race, each year I boil up my oranges, lemon and sugar and send them on their way to the World Marmalade competition more in hope than expectation.

Will the flavour hit the mark, will my jars be filled to the correct level and with an absence of pesky bubbles, will the set be of the optimum standard? Will I achieve full 20 points ????

Each year I have taken part I have reached a decent standard and own a collection of silver and merit certificates, but the elusive gold has proved to be – well elusive!

Until this year, when after four years of trying, I eventually got a PB in the marmalade palmares and a much desired gold for my dark and stormy marmalade in the ‘dark & chunky’ category.

I had persuaded my husband to come with me to the World Marmalade Festival at Dalemain House in the Lake District where the results would be announced. It is a joyous and uniquely British event, where you and fellow marmalade aficionados can discuss the finer details of marmalade making – while spending a day in a lovely country house setting.

Tears may have been shed when I saw the award volunteer check my name and pick out a tell tale larger A4 sized envelope ( lesser awards are printed on the diminutive A5 size) and I realised I was at last a gold winner.

Hurray for me 👏🏆🍊

While I may have said in the past it is the taking part in competitions or races that counts over winning, but just as I felt elated when I achieved a running personal best time, I was very chuffed – maybe even over the moon when in finally got the coveted gold certificate.

Now my sights are set next year on a gold for my Seville marmalade – and who knows maybe I might lace up the trainers again one of these days.