For some folks, there’s a strict schedule to stick to when training. This has its merits and I recognise the value of that discipline. For me though, almost every run is a mindful opportunity. To listen to my body. To look at the skies. To feel long grass brush my shins. Delight in the uphill that’s making me work hard. Watch the heather sway across … Continue reading Oh. my. god. moments of beauty
Something about how I run, coupled with the rough terrain I enjoy running over, means I as I move my trailing foot forward it catches on my ankle bone now and again. Quite painfully, and sometimes drawing blood. My running technique could be improved to combat this. Perhaps I should run on more even terrain, at least more often. Maybe I should buy longer socks, … Continue reading Tape on the ankle
Taking a break isn’t stopping. Pausing for breath isn’t stopping. Considering your direction isn’t stopping. Calling enough, for today, isn’t stopping. Knowing your limits isn’t stopping. Stopping isn’t really stopping, unless you say no more. And what then? Treat yourself well, recharge as you need to. Be proud of your journey. Kindly, keep going. Continue reading Not stopping
On a long hilly run it can feel like you’ve given a lot without having gained much ground. Looking back often sets you straight – you can see how much ground you’ve covered and the obstacles you’ve overcome. Perhaps you haven’t gotten as far as you’d like. Maybe it was particularly hilly or rough underfoot. An honest appraisal helps get things in perspective. So, too, … Continue reading The past, and its obstacles
I remember when I was 18 getting back from a three mile run and feeling exhausted. I more or less collapsed on the stairs when I got in the house. Today, at 45, I enjoyed nearly 13 miles with a good friend and after getting home took my dawg out for a good walk. I’ve put in a lot of training since I was 18, … Continue reading What do you want to be better at
A good friend is looking to get back into going to the gym soon, but that’s not a fun way for me to get healthy. As I’m looking to run/walk another long challenge in July, I’m spending lots of time outdoors and bashing up and down steep hills to get fit. Not everyone’s cup of tea. We both want to be fitter and healthier, but … Continue reading Outcome vs activity focus
Nearly 14 hours in and half the distance done, or thereabouts. It was properly dark at 2am, and the weather is turning a little earlier than expected. On with the show! Trotting along the River Thames by the moonlight was peaceful for a while, until the clouds rolled in and it started drizzling. Although no longer peaceful, the drizzle was quite nice and refreshing actually, … Continue reading Ridgeway Ramble Write Up – part three: into extra time
I’m a big fan of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance – a fictionalised autobiography and philosophical discussion that I read only because I had a motorbike needing more maintenance than I could patiently provide! One of the things that keeps coming back to me from the book, was the proposed use of a shim (a thin piece of metal, actually a cut up … Continue reading Shims, and my running cap
‘How hard can it be?’ It’s an approach that lets me buy-in to uncertainty and challenge. It’s an approach I’m very fond of, but it’s not a plan. In a couple of days I was going to trot along The Ridgeway, 87.5 miles of route I’m unfamiliar with, as quick as I could. A plan was needed. Armed with a map and a friend and … Continue reading Ridgeway Ramble Write Up – part two: a game of two halves
That moment when you realise you gotta get going again, but everything seems quite nice where you’re at and you’re looking at more uphill. Keep the goal in mind. Crack on. I’m working on my next mini-adventure. :’D . (Photo of me, momentarily ran out of steam on the Longshaw Estate in the Peak District) Continue reading Starting again
Sometimes You Learn 