Funny how you can get out of the habit of racing.
It wasn’t a deliberate choice, but aside from parkruns, I haven’t taken part in an event since the Blackdown Beast in early 2015. I was starting to miss the excitement and community of racing.
Getting unstuck
Injury. The word that strikes cold dread into the heart of every runner. And then there’s the injury that just won’t go away. When you get stuck, and whatever you do, you can’t seem to get unstuck.
It was the most ridiculous of accidents. The weekend before Christmas, with a million things to get done by yesterday. One minute, rushing downstairs, not thinking about what I was doing.
Just a lovely day out in the Lakes…
Ever wondered what it’s like to run 50 miles? Ever wondered if you could? I’ll admit it, it’s a bit of a daydream of mine. So when Paul Waldron got in touch after the London Marathon, asking for a Chi Running refresher to help him prepare for his next challenge, the Montane Lakeland 50, I was more than a little intrigued.
Favourite trails: Staple Fitzpaine Herepath
This is the first in an occasional series of posts about my favourite running trails. The Staple Fitzpaine Herepath is a roughly 13 mile circular route in the Blackdown Hills just outside Taunton.
6 things I wish I’d known as a beginner runner
Three habits for better running (and health)
I’m not one for the whole Resolutions thing. While the idea of flicking a switch on 1st January and creating a new and improved me may be appealing, I’ve done that and failed too many times to believe in big goals and instant changes.
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned from more than five years of Chi Running is the power of incremental change.
London Marathon – ChiRunning style
Running London can be a daunting prospect, especially if it’s your first attempt at 26.2 miles. Here’s Lynsey Williams’ inspiring story of her journey to a Chi marathon…
Running club members encourage each other to enter the London Marathon ballot on the off chance they might be lucky enough to get a place.
Should we ditch the Fitbit?
If you’ve read my blog before, advance warning: this is a different post from my usual ramblings on the highs and lows of running. And it may get a bit ranty. Sorry.
It was inspired by this recent article in the Washington Post by Dr. Aseem Malhotra. Those with good memories may recognise Dr. Malhotra’s name as one of three cardiologists who were all over the news last month after writing in the British Journal of Sports Medicine that activity isn’t part of the solution to obesity.
Living to run another day
Why do we find it so hard to walk away from a race, even when we know it’s the right decision?
On Saturday afternoon, my mind was made up. I wouldn’t run. I hadn’t given my ankles a proper chance to heal since turning them over. Running wouldn’t help them recover any quicker and could do damage. It just wasn’t worth the risk. Decision made.
A tough decision
It’s April. The evening’s are light again. Blossom’s bursting out everywhere. And so is spring marathon fever.
Still a couple of weeks to go until London. This weekend it’s the turn of Brighton. And Paris. And….Taunton.
My twitter feed’s full of fear and anticipation, in equal measure. Taper craziness is in the air.