Pre- work run

Whatever happens today, I can deal with it.

Because I have run.

Running Anagram 18 (RAG 18)

Well, the answer to number 17 was perspiration - a polite way to describe being absolutely yuk at the end of a training session.


Number 18 :

U U S T E E N R O I N P T

Ok. Long word, sorry about that. I read this in an ultra running magazine recently, and thought , yep - this is exactly why I love the sport of trail / ultra running so much. Hits the nail on the head.

Good luck with this one.

Enjoy, any lovers of words.

An awesome fact about kids

They just believe absolutely anything you tell them, don't they.

Father Christmas is real, the tooth fairy exists, so do the fairies that live in the garden, also in the house. And by the way, your Mum is the best runner in the world.

See how I snuck that one in there ???

you gotta love em for believing it.

You're so vain....I bet you think this blog is about you..

After a 'body conditioning' class (weights / core exercises), I still find myself thinking the classic ? Does my bum look big in this ???.

Oh Rachel, since when did you become so vain...

Time on Feet ?

I am starting to think that maybe training for some of these big events should be viewed in terms of time on feet, rather than weekly mileage accrued. By keeping moving, keeping going; whatever form it occurs, is surely a contributor to training for endurance events. It follows that the more active an individual is, the greater their fitness level; for example, a five mile run followed by a walk to the shops / taking the dog out, will be more effective than just a five mile run.
Although running time has been the same, by extending your activity, however innocuously, has inadvertently extended your training. Without you realising.

And part of these endurance events is about just being able to continue being active. So don't underestimate your time on feet. It all counts.

Just a thought.

Running freedom

Feels great to hit the trails, this time on the edge of the West Pennine Moors.
Forget about heavy shifts at work, and anything else that's going on , and just focus on where the next footstep needs to be. Loving this. And its not as cold as the pictures suggest.

Running Anagram 17

The answer to the last anagram was endorphins .....experience the high, people.


Next puzzle :
T N R R I I O A E S P P


Clue : Only ladies ? Really ????


Enjoy, any lovers of words...

back to it

Back to normal training this week, thinking ahead for the next big event. Legs are not bad, taking it steady

Occasionally, I get worried about it all..

And that's all there is to say

The end is in sight...

The relief of seeing the suspension bridge and knowing there would only be another mile or so of running, was huge. I think I can safely say we all felt that.

Green Man Time Lord

What a cool chap. We literally tried to follow his every move. Every step, every change of pace, every time he stopped, every time he started, every time he sneezed.... You get the idea..

Green Man Ultra ; 2017

What a fantastic way to start the season.

Yesterdays Green Man boasted near perfect running weather - mostly overcast, showers, short spells of sunshine. Unfortunately very muddy underfoot, the slippiness making the muscles work even harder. With heavier trainers than normal, due to the large clods of mud that just would not shake off. But, absolutely brilliant and loads of trail running fun.


The checkpoints were reasonably stocked; the support from both marshals and families was lovely. The medal has to be shown off as much as possible ; the finishers tee shirt to be worn with much pride. Running down to the suspension bridge towards the end of the race, felt magical in itself.


Running with the ten hour pacer (or Time Lord, as is their official title) , was both a challenge and assistance; many times I wanted to drop down to a slower pace but managed to hang in with the group. Running as a group offers huge motivation during those bad moments. Following this group resulted in a pb for this distance; I will be thrilled with this result  for a long while to come. Huge thanks to the organisers for introducing pacers, and to the pacers themselves for doing such a fantastic job.

On a more personal note, huge thanks also to MDS and Ironman legend Rob; the poor chap remained in earshot of my inane chattering for the whole ten hours - he has the patience of a saint. It turned the day into incredible.

Good times indeed.

Finished the Green man race in just under 10 hours.... Very thrilled.... Muddy legs now though....

Springtime!!!!

It is Springtime at last - very very grateful, so much easier to be out and about - training a lot easier in the warm weather!!!!

Running Anagram 16

The answer to number 15 was blistering- avoid if possible!!!

Next word :


S P I N E D H R O N


Clue - any run, any exercise, can cause this buzz


Enjoy, any lovers of words.