Self assessment: how's your training going? As a coach, it's sometimes expected that I have all the answers. But in reality, often the answers are within the runner themselves, they just need to be asked the right questions at the right time to find them. I'm not observing a runner 24/7 so unless I [...]
I took a photo last year of my stomach. I'd been out running and it was a hot day. I was running round the park and getting hotter, so I took off my t-shirt and ran in shorts and a sports bra that looks like a crop top. When I got home I took the [...]
Since I started working as a coach, PT and freelance writer full-time in January, I've found it a steep learning curve. There's no manual for this type of life, so I'm learning as I go. Here's a few things I've learned so far. Nobody will tell you what to do It's a major plus point [...]
On Saturday I hosted a marathon training workshop for a group of runners taking on their first marathon this year. In truth, most were first timers and a few had run a marathon before but wanted to feel a little more prepared last time round. When I first started my running groups a few years [...]
I had grand plans at the start of the year, a few weeks ago, and we're not even at the end of January and I'm rethinking them. I entered the South Downs Way 50 in the summer last year, and at the time I was really excited about it. And then came Bournemouth and the [...]
Hand up if this is familiar: your running plan says something like '5 mile tempo run plus 1 mile warm up and 1 mile cool down'. You've looked at it and read '5 miles at tempo' and not really factored in the other two miles, so when lunchtime comes or the early morning alarm sounds [...]
My friend Liz Goodchild, who you may remember from the New Year podcast, helps people make changes in their life and has written a guest post. Being stuck is horrible. And gritted-teeth frustrating. Being stuck sits just below the surface of your life and it creeps up slowly, weaving its way in. You don't notice it [...]
As most people got ready for a first week back at work post-Christmas, I was preparing for my first week working for myself. I'd had a break over Christmas but had still been working on and off - answering emails and writing bits and bobs - but that first full week of January when I [...]
Today I went out for a five mile run. I headed to Finsbury Park and ran a few laps. After my first lap I pushed the pace a little - nothing too fast, just a comfortably hard effort up the hills and keeping the foot on the gas down the other side. When I got [...]
As we approach the end of 2015, I speak to my friend Liz Goodchild about New Year's resolutions. What's good about them? When do we put stuff off until January and want do we do if we want to make big changes in our lives next year? Liz has the answers. You can find her [...]
