My usually not that strict coach has decided I need a few days off. Mainly I think this is because I'm struggling to be particularly nice to people at the moment because I'm too tired to put up with their rubbish. Or their opinions. Or their breathing. Between us we think I might be suffering … Continue reading Resting State
At the 1908 Olympic Games in London, the marathon was won by Dorando Pietri of Italy. However he did not take home the gold medal. Pietri had started out at a steady pace but sped up in the second half when he realised his main competitors were struggling. In the final 2k, he began to … Continue reading Organised Masochism – Why Do We Run Marathons?
This weekend, an occasional colleague happened to notice I was wearing my Garmin with my civvies (ie my non-running kit clothes) and straight off asked me what I was training for. The watch was a dead giveaway to this guy that I must be a runner. It got me thinking; there are lots of ways to spot other … Continue reading Tribal Markings
During marathon training, my coach encourages his coachees to choose a reward that they're going to give themselves when (not if, that's important) they complete their race. Mine arrived today. For Rome, my optimistic early choice was a new pair of fancy designer shoes. Of course, if there's one thing marathon training does its to … Continue reading Running Rewards
When running and trying to get stronger, It helps to run uphill for longer. You'll puff like a train, As you beat the terrain.... ....and despite the fact you know it's doing you good you'll hate every single solitary second of it because running hill repeats sucks and only total masochists actually enjoy it (largeglassofred, … Continue reading A Short Post in which I Express My Intense Dislike for Hill Training
You can have a bad mile. That's ok. That doesn't mean it was a bad run. I've just completed the first 18 miler of my New York plan. It was only due to be 22 degrees today but it is still really muggy out, so it felt very tough. I even had to stop and … Continue reading A Bad Mile
I always hated sports day at school. As far as I remember it, we never actually did any running or athletics training during PE lessons beyond some half hearted javelin flinging. So when our form tutors went round every year to demand that we sign up to run around the grass track on the school … Continue reading Burning Up the Track
No chance, sunshine. I’m calling BS on that. I didn’t put 16 weeks of blood, sweat, tears and foam rolling into that race to have anyone call me a jogger. At the weekend I watched two fascinating documentaries about running. One was about Mary Decker and Zola Budd, and the dramatic fall that occurred when they … Continue reading When is a Run Not a Run?
When I run the London Marathon next year I will be doing so for Coram, one of the UK's oldest children's charities. Having seen the Coram kit this year when a colleague ran for them, I know it is a lovely shade of red. My plan is therefore to attempt to get hold of completely crimson … Continue reading Crimson Kit for Coram
As if training for a marathon in the summer isn't hard enough, female runners have something more to consider than the pollen count and humidity. Sorry boys, we are about to discuss your worst nightmare......our lady hormones. My training plan said 10 miles at race pace tonight. I managed 9.25 miles at goodness knows what … Continue reading Mother Nature Over Nurture
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