October 30, 2023
This is the first ‘rehab diary’ post covering the first three weeks post knee arthroscopy for a medial meniscal tear.
May 11, 2022
It’s May! Firstly, how on earth did we get to May? Secondly, how on earth have I not posted a blog yet this year? It’s not […]
December 31, 2021
Review of 2021, another year defined by Covid, but a year of solid and consistent running maintaining sanity and fitness
September 27, 2021
Recovery, the last step in the cycle of returning to a more normal routine: train; race; rest; recover then repeat.
I have managed to nail the train, race and rest steps, but the recovery step has been somewhat confounding which has prompted me to ask a few questions of myself.
June 26, 2021
In theory, yes. Is there, however, a tipping point where consistent training becomes comfortable reducing the benefits?
February 15, 2021
I’m currently in diminishing return territory: but how? I am struggling to add that extra mile to my longer long and adding a couple of reps to my hill and speed intervals. My cadence on the spin bike has dropped. Like many other runners at the moment, I am not doing long miles or racing. So what is going on?
December 28, 2020
What do I say about 2020? A global pandemic, in and out of varying levels of lockdown and the confusion that inevitably entails. The way we live our lives changed beyond recognition and in many respects for ever. Worst year ever?
December 4, 2018
I knew there was a reason why I don’t normally line up events for January and February and why my mileage goes down over the winter. It’s the I just want to rest on my summer laurels, kick back, reduce the mileage and lie about in the warmth and get fat factor. This bear just wants to coorie in and hibernate.
July 30, 2018
When someone mentions an A-Z of Glasgow I am immediately transported back to when I first came to the city well over thirty years ago and armed myself with the trusty A-Z of Glasgow map book. That’s what you did back in the days before internet, mobile phones and google maps.
February 21, 2018
To quote Jack Nicolson ‘What if this is as good as it gets?’
I have accepted the noticeable deterioration in the elasticity of my skin and the little wrinkles and lines forming, the drift south.
February 19, 2016
The thing with enthusiasm is that it carries you along at a break neck speed until you hit that that reality check with a monumental thud. As part of my bid to stretch my wings and do some new events I fell upon 100 Miles of Istria.
April 3, 2015
Science, blackcurrants, a broken treadmill and boiler, endless lists and a Harp Odyssey with just a splash of madness.
My journey to the North Pole Marathon.
November 7, 2014
Hmm, I seem to have been here before?
It is early November and there is a bed with a pile of kit laid out; a pile assorted electronics; a folder with itineraries; insurance docs passport and currency out and a large empty holdall on the floor. The intended destination: Chile.
November 8, 2013
I am not referring to a new cartoon comedy trio, or a dodgy legal firm here. This post is probably not for those of a delicate disposition.
October 30, 2013
Song title, perhaps; oh, no that is dancing. Although, I have to say that I did feel a bit like dancing during my run in the dark last night, and tonight it came up on my MP3 player.
October 16, 2013
My last ultra-distance run before going to Antarctica. Another milestone: the last long distance run before I start to taper, 4 weeks before I leave the UK for Chile, and just under 5 weeks until I run the first marathon.
August 28, 2013
The week commencing 19th August was going to be my Antarctic Odyssey rehearsal week, and as such a fairly epic and momentous week for me. It was another milestone in my preparations. The objectives for the week were: to test my ability to run long distance on a surface similar to the Antarctic snow; test the nutrition plans; test my recovery rates; hit a new weekly mileage total. The keynote activities were to be a 20 – 21 mile beach run on the Wednesday and the Speyside Way Ultra on the Saturday.
August 16, 2013
With only 14 weeks to go there is light at the end of the training tunnel, but things are getting tough as my training starts to peak. I have had a tired and hungry week so far this week. A 6 mile beach run on over 24 hours without food due to bad timing on one of my fast days was tough; and the planned easy session the following day (2nd fast day) was cut short as the energy just was not there.