I have been thinking a lot about motivation recently. I find running really difficult and many times not particularly pleasant experience, so why do I keep doing it. Motivation is one of the four legs which support the ultra running table upon which we dine – Motivation, Resilience, Training and Execution. Take away any one …
A week has passed and I can almost feel my sausage toes again which prompts me to try to jot down some thoughts on the Madeira Island Ultra Trail, so here goes….. MIUT was one of those races which you don’t remember in order. Random moments jump into your consciousness and these little vignettes invariably …
My race report deals with all of the details of the race itself, but what about the lessons, what worked and what didn’t work? Pacing I spent a fair amount of time researching pacing by looking at splits for previous races. In particular I was interested in the splits of those who finished strongly. I …
Eight days until race day and I was sitting at work with a wet trouser leg and a puddle appearing on the carpet under my desk. The casual observer may have questioned whether the excitement of the impending race was getting to me. The more astute observer would also have noticed the bag of rapidly …
On a rainy Saturday morning we took a wee trip to Rowardennan. The West Highland passes through Rowardennan before heading off into the relative wilderness of the East side of Loch Lomond. After many years the “Low Road” has been cleared, the path upgraded and it is now open to walkers and runners once more. …
Some people like to run for the joy of running. That isn’t my bag. I need a purpose to get me out the door. Some people like to run randomly and tackle races in whatever fitness they have at that time. With my lack of any natural ability, I need a very structured training programme …
Ultras are usually quite complicated logistically. They are usually also longer and harder than you expect. Here a few questions to ask before you enter your next Ultra. I go through this list every time I want to enter a new race Where does it start? Do you actually know where that is? Are you …
I am lucky enough to have built up a good selection of ultra gear to mix and match which is versatile enough to do me for most types of races, so I no longer need to go on a shopping spree every time I enter a big race. My most used kit currently is Jacket: …
or knowing when to quit…. I went for a run on Saturday. I parked up at Loch Turret Dam and ran up the side of the Loch with the intention of running up Ben Chonzie. Ben Chonzie has a reputation as the most boring Munro in Scotland, however from this approach it is quite runable, …
Phew! That was a close one. Despite having no plans whatsoever to run the New York Marathon this year, I still nearly entered the ballot. A post from a friend on Facebook alerted me to the ballot being open, and despite a trip to New York not being either physically or financially viable this year, …