Fell running, sometimes known as hill running, but not to be confused with mountain running, is the sport of running and racing, off road, over upland country where the gradient climbed is a significant component of the difficulty. Since moving to the edge of the West Pennine Moors last autumn, fell racing has been on … Continue reading Fell-racing – falling with style
What running has taught me about myself
December is always a time for reflection, so I sat down today to write a blog post about my year, but was stumped as to how to sum up a year where I've achieved so much without a plan, without sounding like a hypocrite. As a running coach, my business thrives on setting goals, making … Continue reading What running has taught me about myself
What does a running coach do?
One of the questions I get asked most often is what it's like to be a running coach; I mean, what do I do all day?What I've come to realise over the last year of launching my own business is that this career is a bigger responsibility than I ever initially considered. Clients put their … Continue reading What does a running coach do?
What can we learn from a race photo about our running form?
I love to analyse my race photos because they reveal a lot about where we need to make improvements in our form, particularly when race photographers capture us in a fatigued state, usually at the end of a race or at the top of a hill. I was looking at some photos of me at … Continue reading What can we learn from a race photo about our running form?
Gorilla Hunting – Oswestry Half Marathon Race Review
I was excited about the Oswestry Half, because it's always nice to be able to run an inaugural event. It was also the half marathon I was working towards with Celia, who I had been coaching towards her first ever half marathon, after we ran her first 10k event in September. This race wasn't about … Continue reading Gorilla Hunting – Oswestry Half Marathon Race Review
Bonking, bogs and beating my nemesis: Hell Up North
I've never done any kind of obstacle course race, but I do love my trail running and have also tried out a few fell runs this year so I thought Hellrunner would be a nice mix of the two. The northern version in Delamere Forest, Cheshire - Hell Up North - bills itself as … Continue reading Bonking, bogs and beating my nemesis: Hell Up North
Why it’s ok to fail sometimes
I had a bad race today. Those who know me, know I've been chasing that holy grail of a sub-50 for an entire year now. Gradually I've been knocking a few seconds off here and there, and this year I have been focused on 10k training to really hone my middle distance speed endurance. Parkrun … Continue reading Why it’s ok to fail sometimes
A hilly surprise! Nottingham 10k Race Review
I did the Notts 10k by accident, after I ended up not being able to do my home Lincoln 10k and the organisers kindly let me transfer to the Nottingham race 3 weeks later. And am I glad I did! I got a lift into Nottingham from a fellow club runner and we parked easily … Continue reading A hilly surprise! Nottingham 10k Race Review
It’s a long road to sub 1:50 (the Liverpool Half Marathon)
I wasn't meant to be doing a half marathon this year. After last year's London marathon, I swore off distance running for a while to focus on bringing down my 10k time and somehow discovered a love for speed. In the intervening months I ran 2 10k races and managed to PB at them both … Continue reading It’s a long road to sub 1:50 (the Liverpool Half Marathon)
Running scared at Hebden
Yesterday I took part in an event that was brand new to me in terms of terrain and running ability. The Hebden is an LDWA event and is billed on its website as: "routes of 22 and 15 miles, catering for both walkers and runners ... a tough event with a substantial amount of climbing … Continue reading Running scared at Hebden
