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,…

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…

Kings Hill Sports Park Santa Run 5K 2019

Following on from the success of the brand-new Kings Hill Sports Park 1K, 5K and 10K in summer, organisers Nice Work decided to introduce another run in the same format and location, with a Christmas theme. Taking place in the same area as my place of work (West Malling), the Kings Hill Sports Park Santa…

Santa Dash 5K 2019

I took part in the Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity ‘Santa Dash’ event for the first time last year, and really enjoyed it. I’m a huge supporter of Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity, and their annual Santa Dash 5K is great fun. Up £2 from last year but still very generous, the £22 entry fee…

Movember MoRun 10K 2019

I took part in the London Greenwich Park MoRun 10K during 2014, 2016 and 2017, and thoroughly enjoyed all three events, labeling the 2014 run as the ‘best way to end a great year of running’. Signing up for round four didn’t take much consideration! The bargain £20.90 entry fee included chip timing, chunky bespoke…

Tower of London Run 2019

I took part in the Tower of London Run six years ago in 2013, and it was the first London race I ever did. I haven’t taken part since, purely because this event takes place on a weekday so requires taking annual leave from work. However, dad passed away from a heart attack five years…

Paddock Wood Half Marathon 2019

Labelled as a “fast, flat and accurate course on roads through the hop fields and orchards of Kent”, the Paddock Wood half is Kent's largest half marathon, and takes place just 15minutes from my house. Promising “excellent facilities including ample parking, local train station, supervised baggage store, refreshments, physiotherapist, Start & Finish Chip Timing”, plus…

The Vitality Big Half 2019

I took part in The Big Half last year, and really enjoyed it. Created by the London Marathon events team, The Big Half was a brand-new event for 2018 set in the heart of London, which almost didn’t happen last year thanks to ‘The Beast From The East’. Vitality cancelled the ‘Little Half’ version of…

Tunbridge Wells Half Marathon 2019

I took part in the Tunbridge Wells Half Marathon in 2017 and 2018, and loved it both times. The thought of running my local Half Marathon is never exactly appealing, though! Famed for a challenging route with an ascent of over 300ft thanks to Spring Hill at Fordcombe, the one-lap circuit contains numerous other hills…

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  :)…

Santa Dash 5K 2018

I first heard about the Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity ‘Santa Dash’ event when I took part in their ‘Race for The Kids’ 5K in October. The Race for The Kids goody bags contained flyers about the Santa Dash and I was immediately interested. I love the Race for The Kids 5K and am a…

Royal Parks Half Marathon 2018

I took part in the London Royal Parks half marathon in 2015, after being successful in the ballot entry. It was my first ever Half Marathon and I stated afterwards that the experience was ‘incredible’. I promised to return, but sadly didn’t make it through the 2016 and 2017 ballots. I couldn’t wait to run…

Brighton Marathon 2018

I’ve known my friend Lukas since we were two years old – we went to nursery school together, then Primary School, then Secondary school, and even worked together as school cleaners while doing our A Levels, to earn some extra money. He’s always been a runner and has completed Iron Mans, so I wasn’t surprised…

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…

London Landmarks Half Marathon 2018

The inaugural London Landmarks Half Marathon somehow completely slipped under my radar, just like last month’s Vitality Big Half. Owned by baby charity Tommy's and brand new for 2018, the London Landmarks is a closed-road, central London run and the only Half Marathon to go through both the City of London and City of Westminster.…

Tunbridge Wells Half Marathon 2018

I took part in the Tunbridge Wells Half Marathon for the first time last year and loved it. Despite having lived in the town virtually my whole life, the thought of running my local Half Marathon was never – and still isn’t! – exactly appealing. Famed for a challenging route with an ascent of over…

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…

Movember MoRun 10K

I took part in the London Greenwich Park MoRun 10K during November 2014 and 2016 and thoroughly enjoyed both events, labelling it in 2014 as the ‘best way to end a great year of running’. When I saw that this year’s event was still just £22, signing up for round three didn’t take much persuasion!…

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…

The terrific Tunbridge Wells half marathon

Spectating at the Tunbridge Wells half marathon back in 2013 is where it all started for me. I watched a double-amputee cross the finishing line along with a number of elderly participants, and wondered why on earth I wasn’t pushing myself too. I loved the whole atmosphere of the event and it made me realise…

Time out, and totally obsessed with trainers

My idea of a perfect holiday abroad would typically involve five days spent sunbathing by a pool, and five days spent exploring and sight-seeing. One of my favourite holidays to date was to Sharm el-Sheikh six years ago where I rode camels, quad-biked across the desert, snorkelled, went on a red-sea cruise and visited an…

Amazing avatar!

I was mindlessly scrolling through Instagram one evening when an illustration caught my eye on the ‘Popular’ feed. A marathon runner had been drawn by an artist, https://www.instagram.com/everydayesther/, who had captured the runner’s outfit and the situation in a super cute way. I instantly knew that I wanted one, so clicked on the link in…

Brooks and the British 10K!

A few weeks ago I stumbled across a Tweet posted by Brooks, my favourite brand of running footwear (Brooks Ghost 5s were my first ever pair and I currently run in Ghost 7 ombres, which I had shipped over from America and LOVE): Now, the Vitality British 10K London Run. I participated in this event…

Brighton Vitality half marathon race review

I took part in my first ever half marathon in October 2015, the Royal Parks half in London, and absolutely loved it (you can read my full write-up HERE). In January 2016 I unexpectedly won a place in the Brighton Vitality half marathon thanks to a Facebook competition, and could only hope that the event…

Crazy competition win! My new Asics Gel-Nimbus 16s

I have no idea why, but if I’m lucky enough to ever win anything, whether it be a raffle prize or a game of cards, the Bee Gees’ “You Win Again” song always plays in my head. It’s been on repeat lately thanks to a magnificent competition win over on Twitter. As mentioned previously, I…

Wherefore art thou?

Hello! It’s been a while, hasn’t it! I was made redundant quite suddenly in June, consequently started a new job, and am now moving house; so along with the standard summer weddings and holidays in Florida and Morocco, I haven’t been able to dedicate time to my blog. It’s been a busy few months! Nevertheless,…

A new year

I gave myself a break over the festive period and hardly ran at all. I overate, slobbed about and spent time with my family. So, on 2nd January when I decided to go for my first run of the new year, it was not altogether a delightful experience! It’s amazing how much fitness can decline…