New running buggy

I started researching running buggys when I was pregnant. I knew that I would end up having one - the thought of not running, or having to juggle being a single mum with working part-time and organising childcare for marathon training, seemed ridiculous. I follow some great running accounts on Instagram - the running community…

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Running into 2021

I'm so excited for this year! After falling pregnant in the autumn of 2019, and then giving birth and recovering in 2020, I've been really looking forward to getting 'stuck back in' to running on a regular basis. I was successful in the 2020 London Marathon ballot, which I deferred to this year, so will…

New Brooks Ghost 13 trainers

I love Brooks running shoes.  Brooks Ghost 5s were my first ever 'proper' running shoe, and were followed by Ghost 7s and 10s for all of my long runs; with the Brooks Ravenna, Launch and Glycerin models being used for shorter and training runs.  I treated myself to a pair of Launch 7s last April,…

New Fitbit Charge 4

The Charge 2 was my first Fitbit experience, and I loved it. I then had the Charge 3, which wasn't so good! Still, when I saw that the Charge 4 was being released, I knew that I would be picking one up. I chose the Limited Edition Granite Reflective/Black, which comes with an extra classic band,…

Running postpartum

I've neglected this blog over the last few months, as I was heavily pregnant and then concentrating on looking after my newborn son. It's been a busy time! Today I managed to complete my first run since giving birth ten weeks ago. I've been using my home exercise bike and walking every day, and finally…

Running while pregnant

My gorgeous little bump helped me to earn 17 medals before things became just too uncomfortable to continue running. At roughly six months pregnant I reluctantly hung up my running trainers, worried about how I was going to burn some energy and maintain some level of fitness in a comfortable way. My partner is a…

2019 in review

2019 – my favourite year of exercise to date. Just like 2018, 2019 got off to a flying start: I completed events continuously throughout the year, starting on 13th January. I maintained this level of motivation and enthusiasm right up until I completed my last event on 22nd December, and took part in the most…

2018 in review

2018 – my best year of running to date. 2018 got off to a flying start: I completed three events in quick succession, starting on 1st January, and joined a running club that same week. I maintained this level of motivation right up until I completed my first marathon in Brighton on 15th April  :)…

New Fitbit Charge 3

I was treated to a new Fibit Charge 2 on my birthday last April, having previously worn Jawbone activity trackers for a few years. The Charge 2 was my first Fitbit experience, and I loved it. I wore it every day and had a variety of coloured interchangeable bands to play with. I liked the…

London Marathon 2019 ballot

I’ll be honest, I had no idea that it was London Marathon ‘Ballot Week’ until I saw it trending on Twitter yesterday. All of sudden, my timeline was filled with rejection and acceptance announcements. I hadn’t received emails from any charities or seen any hype on social media in the lead-up, so for the first…

Kayaking in the South of France

I’ve been so bad with running recently. So bad! My fitness regime has completely gone out of the window. Aside from rock-climbing, I haven’t done any other form of exercise and haven’t been running for a few weeks. Part of me feels guilty about this, and I do miss my favourite hobby, but it’s also been…

Rock-climbing at Chimera

I used to rock-climb as a child and teenager at various Girl Guiding day trips and holidays; firstly as a Brownie, and then as a Young Leader. We had organised sessions with qualified instructors who bared some of the weight as they hoisted us up the walls with ropes. If we fell, we would just…

Trouble with Tendonitis

When I was training for the Brighton Marathon earlier this year, I started getting little twinges on the top of my right foot during longer runs. I ignored them and ran through the pain, and sometimes the niggles disappeared. After the Marathon however, the pain continued and seemed to get worse, even during long walks.…

Running PBs and Objectives

Someone asked me recently why I don’t mention my running times on here or on Instagram posts... Or anywhere, actually. I’m not embarrassed of my times; it’s just that, for me, that’s not what running is all about. I have asthma, dodgy knees, scar tissue damage in my right calf; and get occassional pains around…

Eating habits

Written for Runr's 'Miles for Mind' May challenge campaign & hosted on their website HERE. When I was 18 I was squeezing into size 12-14 clothes, snacking on burgers, Chinese takeaways and whole tubs of Ben & Jerry’s, and feeling suitably comfortable in my skin. I was curvy, had a boyfriend and was quite happy. But…

The Running Awards 2018

The Running Awards is an annual awards ceremony celebrating the best of running and its culture.  The prestigious awards ceremony welcomes sports industry figures as well as key members of the running community and press, to witness the best in the industry (as independently voted for by runners) receive Running Awards trophies. From the running public’s…

Brighton Marathon Prep

Two new pairs of SKINS calf compression sleeves – check New Nike expandable, adjustable slim belt which doesn’t bounce – check New Adidas & Nike headbands to wear in/try out – check Two new pairs of 1000 Mile trainer socks for training & for the actual event – check New pair of Brooks Ghost 10 trainers –…

New Brooks Ghost 10 trainers

I’d always planned to wear my Brooks Ghost 7 trainers for the Brighton Marathon. I’ve worn Brooks Ghosts since 2013 - starting with the Ghost 5s - and find them super comfortable. My Brooks Ravenna 8 and Glycerin 14 trainers are also pretty awesome, but I wear them for distances up to 13.1 miles only, and save…

My First Marathon Training Plan

So I looked at various 16-week Marathon training plans online and merged them all to make my own personalised one for the Brighton Marathon in April, taking into account my existing activities/routine and event calendar. I came up with the following which seems like a challenge at first glance, but will be manageable. It won’t…

Joining a Running Club and NEW SHOES!

Happy New Year! In my last post I mentioned that two new things for 2018 will be as follows:   I’ve got two new pairs of trainers in the post to start using as from January 2018: a new pair of Nike Free Run gym shoes to use for Insanity, Zumba etc; and a new…

2017 in Review

Oh, 2017. This year started well, running-wise. I took a lovely lady’s place in the London Winter Run 10K and met some fellow runners; then I took someone’s place in the Tunbridge Wells Half Marathon – an event which I had been avoiding for years due to the severe profile – and still managed to…

Bluebell Railway 11 Mile Track Trek

The Bluebell Railway is a heritage line with steam trains running between four stations, and I know it well. My dad was a huge fan and would often take us there on family outings, so a lot of my childhood memories include the Bluebell. Dad was a shareholder and started volunteering at the railway for…

Virgin London Marathon 2018 ballot

Usually, as ‘ballot results week’ approaches, chatter around the Virgin London Marathon starts up on social media and charities send e-shot mailers wishing participants luck, and ask for consideration in joining their teams as a charity entrant. This year however, it was noticeably a bit quieter, and I didn’t receive a single email from any…

Running On

I didn’t run for four weeks and dropped out of two running events during July –  the Run or Dye Colour Run on 2nd and then the British 10K on 9th. That was probably the longest I’ve gone without running since I started back in March 2013, and the first time I've dropped out of running…

Jawbone vs Fitbit

I’ve blogged a few times before about my love of Jawbone activity trackers - here and here are just two examples. They look good, are super easy to set up and use, have always been pretty accurate and I’ve been loyal to the brand for a few years now. However, last month my Jawbone UP3…

Back on it for 2017!

Last January I was introduced to the concept of Insanity full-body workout classes by my colleague Seb, and LOVED it. I attended religiously, every single Monday from January until June, when my personal circumstances changed. I'd really missed Insanity so made it my mission to return this year. So on the first Monday of 2017…

Time for a new Jawbone!

I love activity trackers. My first was a black Jawbone UP24 purchased spontaneously this time last year, and I loved it. I treated myself to an upgrade - a grey UP2 - after New Year, and loved it a little bit more. Sadly it disappeared off my wrist unnoticed somewhere in London on a night out,…

Blowing away the cobwebs

Summer was a crazy time. My long-term relationship ended quite badly in June, I moved house, helped mum move house, completed a challenging Higher Diploma assignment, had two weeks off work with stress/anxiety, and helped my little sister move house. I haven’t been to a high-intensity Insanity class since June and sadly running had taken…

Virgin London Marathon 2017 ballot

As ‘ballot results week’ approached, chatter around the 2017 Virgin London Marathon started up in the office and on social media. Charities sent e-shot mailers out, wishing participants luck and asking for consideration in joining their teams as a charity entrant. It was revealed that those who would not be taking part in the 2017…

Blood and Boots!

On Friday I made the catastrophic error of walking the 30minutes into work wearing brand new trainers. About halfway in I realised I had made a terrible mistake, with my heels in agony, but was the same distance between work and my car (which didn’t have alternative footwear inside anyway) so struggled on. By the…