Combatting Fears and Fixing Mistakes – Brecon Beacons Ultra 2016

I have battled a lot with my head the last few months, after training so hard for the SVP100km, starting so well in the lead, only to lose the race through a single simple error. What do you do after an event like that? How do you get over it? How do you fix those demons telling you to quit? …

5 Ways to Fit Training into Life – Morning Runs

  Chris and I are asked so many times, so how do you fit your training in? We have 3 young kids, our twin boys are also young triathletes, swimming 3 times per week, cycling, running, playing football for their club and singing in a boys’ choir. Our daughter does gymnastics, ballet, swims twice per week and plays football too. …

The Jurassic Quarter Ultra Marathon – Power Tears and Steps!

Its May 20th 2016 and I’m sat in my car with Chris at Portland Bill lighthouse, Weymouth. The rain is coming down so hard that the wind screen wipers can’t keep up and we can feel the strength of the wind against the side of the car in the exposed car park. Yes, it’s another ultra-marathon day on the Dorset …

I’m marathon training! Why do I need to do speed-work?

So the question I’m asked so often, especially this time of the year. Do I need to do speedwork, I’m training for a marathon? The simple answer is, no, of course you don’t need to, if you’ve run some 20 milers, you will get round. However, if you want to hit that start line in top form, most importantly knowing …

Battling Desmond! How to race in a hurricane! – Dorset CTS Ultra Plus 2015

My last race of the year and my season, later than usual due to having a 4 month lay-off March-July from a car induced open knee injury! As I missed Race to the Stones and the Endurance Life CTS Fleet Ultra, I wanted to try to claim my year back by running the Gower 50 and finishing the season with …

Who’d have thought that good old milk is the answer!

Wheel of emotion

What a great trip down into ‘hobbitses land’ as my coaching mentor calls it! The annual SWEN (South West Endurance Network) Coaching Conference in Barnstaple was a feast for the coaching mind. The day began with a brilliant overview of the athlete mind by Amanda Wilding. The outstanding message was that we as coaches need to help our athletes through …