As a result of my first marathon, I ran a 3.35, choked back my tears, sat down shortly after finishing, and threw up repeatedly into a plastic bag. Like many of those that train for marathons, I ran every training run alone, spent time raising money for charity, and had no real idea what to expect on the day. All I could see ahead was … Continue reading AN ANNIVERSARY : VLM
Hurrying around the supermarket on a Friday night, I calmed the recurrent pre-race “What if I die?” niggle, and called my Dad. In my attempts to settle some of the nerves that were dampening the feeling of my Friday evening, I was failing. “It’s alright, you’ve trained for tomorrow haven’t you?” He asked. “Errrr….” I thought. “Well, no. I’ve just been running.” Shit. What on … Continue reading THROWING CAUTION TO THE WIND : COUNTRY TO CAPITAL 45
With a head telling me no, and a heart telling me oh go on then lass, get seeking, get muddy, doubt can go and do one, and delayed decision making can take a seat. On Saturday the 17th I’m running 45 miles of Country to Capital 45, from Wendover to London. I ran this race as my first ultra marathon last January, and was lucky enough … Continue reading DELAYED DECISIONS : COUNTRY TO CAPITAL 45
I didn’t really know what to expect with this race. Maybe I went into it a little unprepared in that sense; I didn’t know the exact gradient of each hill, I didn’t have an hourly weather forecast, and the watch that I was borrowing had just run out of battery. But I guess if your mind and your legs are in the right place then … Continue reading A WIN AT RACE TO THE STONES 100K
I’m naturally a worrier. Always have been, and always will be. But in the run up to Race to the Stones, I’ve tried my best to push that little bugger aside, and not panic about the miles ahead. This was all going swimmingly, until I woke up this morning from a crap night’s sleep with nerves sloshing around in me. I haven’t really felt frightened, … Continue reading 100K : PRE RACE THOUGHTS
This weekend’s long run was was fuelled by rum and ginger beer, and hydrated by a torrential downpour or two. 34 or so delightful miles around and about town, and the longest of my training runs in the bag. Three weeks and counting until we take to the hills for Race To The Stones, where I’ll be packing as much Mancunian pride as I can. … Continue reading TIME TO TAPER ON DOWN : 3 WEEKS TO GO
On the 18th I had the pleasure of running my third marathon through Richmond Park, side by side with barefoot smiler, Flowers(Tom Crossland), and another little gem, Miss Allan. Running through a place that they spent much of their childhood, laughing at their memories, wailing Journey and Queen Bey, experiencing the repeat performance of the beloved Cheerdem, eating flapjack, deer spying, and picking up runners … Continue reading RICHMOND PARK MARATHON
On paper, some ultra training programmes can look like a hefty amount of miles, and not much variety. It depends what route you choose to go down, and what training is best for you. But I’ve been trying to prevent any monotony, in juggling speed work with endurance. In the lead up to my first ultra, I was really thankful for the long, steady pace, … Continue reading 100K TRAINING UPDATE : RACE TO THE STONES
I never expected to run a race fuelled by so much support, support that grew tenfold after running through the Mile 21 tunnel of love, and doubled once again when two very prized friends and teammates jumped in to pace me patiently and encouragingly for the last 5 miles, home to a new 20 minute PB of 3.13. Support is an incredible thing, both psychologically … Continue reading LONDON MARATHON TAKE 2
The most challenging, yet enjoyable, and inspiring run for me so far, and for that, I have these gentlemen to thank. Peter, Jason, Daniel, and Tom, it was an absolute pleasure. I couldn’t have done this race as a lone ranger, and I have a lot of respect for people that do Ultra Marathons alone. Running for 8+ hours on muddy trail and towpath, wasn’t … Continue reading MY FIRST ULTRA : COUNTRY TO CAPITAL 45
