Last weekend saw the now annual Valley Striders AC fell runners trip to a classic fell race. Last year it was a few nights camping in Rydal for the Fairfield Horseshoe, and this time a bunk barn excursion for one of the newer classics, the Duddon Valley fell race. Set in a quiet corner of the Lake … More Duddon Delights & Nav Nightmares
It may only be March, but already I find myself celebrating my first two major “achievements” of the year: 1) I am not injured (yippee). 2) I was finally able to gain a ballot entry into the OCC race in August in 2018. Its a measure of how popular a race is when it sells … More On the Trail of the OCC
Six weeks in to life as a new father, and what an amazing experience. I’m not going to lie though, the first 10 days were a test of character the like of which I had never experienced , which is interesting given I have done a number of fairly hardcore endurance races in the past … More A New Endurance Challenge
A two day running weekend in Scotland on the Lairig Ghru and Lairig an Laoigh
… More Running in the Cairngorms
Every August a small village in the Yorkshire Dales holds an event that is synonymous with fell running- the Burnsall Feast Sports. This year gave me my first opportunity to take part in this classic race steeped in history, with origins dating back to 1870. And it was on my birthday too, so a bonus camping weekend ensued! … More The Classic Fell Race
I have always hated swimming. I think it has always stemmed from a mild fear of being submerged in water, that feeling of never quite being comfortable or in control. I am good at windsurfing, used to race in dinghy sailing and am a (very) average surfer, but have never been keen on anything that goes … More Taking the Plunge
The Three Peaks Fell race is a classic. It might be more like three fell races with a 10k trail race in-between, and I don’t know anyone who says it is their favourite route, but it has that certain feel of a race steeped in history that marks it out for me as the highlight … More Riding the Bus of Shame
I always have an issue when organisations boast they are the “greatest” or “best”. The Lakeland 100 claims to be the best ultra race in the world. What do the organisers of the UTMB say about that? London Marathon claims to be the greatest marathon in the world. Based on what? According to who? Because … More Beware of the Hype
Freddie Mercury was right, and it is a beautiful horizon too. But for me the attraction of Barcelona lies in the hills and mountains that surround the city, and on Saturday 25th March the small village of Begues was the setting for the Ultra Trail Barcelona (UTBCN). Comprising of races ranging from kids to 100k there was … More Like a Jewel in the Sun- Barcelona Trail Marathon
I have not been able to run for four weeks now and it feels like the end of the world. Insignificant to everyone else. Irrelevant to the rest of the world. Pathetic to think like that really. Or is it? I was on form, I was training well, I was loving life, then I pulled … More Injury, isolation and identity
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