Just One Step at a Time

Well, I think I can scratch out the goal of making 2019 the year I would improve my running. Like every well-laid plan, it failed the early stages.

Some may take the previous statement to mean I’m dejected about the whole thing. I suppose earlier on in the year after cancelling several ‘bucket list’ events I’d signed up for that would have been a good observation. I’d lost my running ‘mojo’ and the experience of getting it back was as successful as starting a Morris Minor (an old car for all you young’ens) on a cold winter's day... A lot of noise and smoke, but no success.

I was so frustrated. There was nothing physically wrong with me, I just couldn’t be arsed. No amount of ‘internal’ pep talking would get me out of the rut.

So I canceled events. The ever wishful part of me thinking I could get out of the rut, left the cancellations too late, and I lost money. Look at it this way. I got a load of DNF (Did not Finish) without even putting my trainers on.

What a cyclone I found myself in. One part of me, knowing the benefits running had for my mental health was battling another part of me trying every way possible to put obstacles in my way. Obstacles such as, I’m too busy at work, it’s too cold outside and the all-time favourite, I’m too tired.

I’m not sure what witchcraft has been at work, but I woke up and said enough is enough and this has got to change.

So here I am, I’ve got a plan. A plan so simple is can’t fail. Just go for a run. It doesn’t matter how far it is. Maybe it will just be around the block or a 5-mile run, it’s all about consistency. This consistency will help re-enforce the good feeling running brings to me during, at the end and hours later.

The process will bring with it the addiction which helps maintain the habit.

It will not be easy, but not over complicating it will help.

When I don’t feel like running, I’ll promise myself that if I’m still not happy after 10 minutes running I’ll turn around and go home. To date, I’ve never turned around yet.

So, I’m on a journey and at present the destination seems so far away, but I’m just going to take it one step at a time.

Pennine Barrier 50 Ultra - It Started with a Kiss

There wasn't any kissing involved, but I got your attention. They'd built the start/finish arch and as I looked on, I couldn't help remember the last time I saw it, albeit with a different banner, the Chester 100 mile race. All quiet at the start The 'Did Not Finish' (DNF) for the Chester 100 has played on my mind since waking the next day. I know I made the right decision, but that didn't seem to quieten the nagging voices. The training between the Chester 100 and the Pennine Barrier was limited . Limited by a change of a job and losing my running 'Mo-Jo'. The job was exciting, losing my running Mo-Jo was scary; without my running I can't fight my dark days. So, I toed the start line, (well actually about 15 metres back, I didn't want to be trampled ), convinced I had 50 miles in my legs no matter how limited my training was. I didn't know how painful the adventure back to the finish line would be. If anyone knows me, or been a

The Wheels didn't fall off. They just wouldn't turn fast enough

The headline is, I didn't finish the Chester 100 Ultra. The story, well it's complicated. A Cheshire field.. The view looking back. Preparation and build up for the event was as good as I could have asked for. I not only stood at the start line healthy, I was looking forward to the challenges the experience would throw at me. The heat was a concern, but my feeding plan is simple. Have my watch beep every kilometre which would remind me to drink, eat and ask myself was I hurting. So that is how the day went. I stopped and enjoy the views and even used the excuse of sorting my socks out to take on an ice cream whilst at the Delamere Forest checkpoint. Sorting my feet out So where did it go wrong? The short answer I'm not too sure. On reaching checkpoint 6 I had my first drop bag waiting for me which contained a change of clothing, more food and some 'wet wipes'. An actual necessity as my face had more salt on it than a Northwich salt mine. I to

Telegraph Road Trail Run

This route is one I often run when I am staying at the lodge. It is local and I can start it from my doorstep rather than having to drive to the start. The route gets its name from a lone telegraph pole I stumbled across when I first recce the route. I'm also a Dire Straits fan. I'm always within 15 minutes of the lodge, yet it can feel so remote when I'm running around Moel Ddu (SH7290 3269). I've only ever seen a few people in the area when I've run the route and they've invariably been on the sections of path which my route joins together. The mixture of bogs and wet mud covered rocks means I'll never beat any speed records . I've been running the route for over two years now and I'm always surprised to see an abandoned quad bike south east of Craiglaseithin (SH6856 3333) near the shore of Llyn Gelli-Gain. I'm not sure of the story behind it. Maybe the farmer has forgotten it's there ! Running clockwise around the shore, I event

Muddy Out and Back

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