Run or Dye 5K 2018

I took part in London Wembley’s Color Run during July 2013, and my review at the time was not a positive one! The £30 entry fee was excessive for a 5K and included just a t-shirt and headband, no chip timing, medal, goody bag or extras. The race start was delayed without explanation, with all…

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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…

London 10,000 2018

I ran the London 10,000 for the first time five years ago in 2013 and it holds some great memories: it was the first time I experienced a big, well-organised running event, and it had me hooked. I took part again during 2014, 2016 and 2017 and couldn’t wait to return in 2018. Travel on Monday…

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.…

The Vitality Big Half 2018

I’m not sure how, but The Big Half completely slipped under my radar and I only heard about it a month or so prior to the event, by which time it was already at full capacity. I’ve taken part in plenty of Vitality events previously but hadn’t received any email communications or seen any targeted…

Walkie Talkie Tower Climb 2018

I subscribe to the Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity e-newsletter and received an email one Saturday morning, telling me all about their new event: The Walkie Talkie Tower Climb challenge. Stating “You'll need thighs of steel, a determined mind and a head for heights if you're going to tackle the many stairs of 20 Fenchurch…

Marathon training & running events

So the first month of marathon training is complete, and to be honest it’s been a bit up and down. At times I’ve wondered why on earth I’m doing this to myself, but mostly I pull myself together and get it done. There have been one or two occasions where, after a hard/long day at…

London Winter Walk 2018

I’m not sure how I came across the London Winter Walk. I was probably Googling London fitness events and it must have popped up! I remember being on the Action Challenge website, reading about the event and thinking that a 20K ramble through London during the daytime sounded pretty appealing. I’ve taken part in a…

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…

Lamberhurst New Year’s Day Run

I've known about the Lamberhurst New Year's Day Run for years and have always wanted to take part, but I've spent the last few New Year Eves away from home, so haven't managed to... Until now. Lamberhurst village is just ten minutes from home and the route is a 5K lap into the grounds of…

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…

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!…

Magical MoRun for Movember!

I took part in the London Greenwich Park MoRun 10K during November 2014 and thoroughly enjoyed it, labelling it the ‘best way to end a great year of running’. When I saw that this year’s event cost a mere £22, signing up for round two didn’t take much persuasion. Getting up at 5:58am on a…

Marketing Team Olympics!

I’m lucky enough to work for a company that thrives on rewarding staff, and whose philosophy is: ‘Putting the fun into insurance’; and I’m even luckier to work within a department which loves to motivate. On the hottest day of the year so far, we took the afternoon out to partake in ‘Marketing Team Olympics’…

The much better British 10K

A few months ago I entered a Twitter competition to win entry to the British 10K, plus Brooks running kit including new trainers, sports bra, vest and bottoms. I was lucky enough to win and couldn’t believe my luck, despite my chequered history with this event. I participated in the British 10K during 2014 and…

The hardest race

The toughest race I've ever run was, bizarrely, something I've become quite accustomed to - the Tunbridge Wells Race for Life 5K in aid of Cancer Research UK in June 2014. Sunday 8 June, to be precise. My father had passed away very unexpectedly from a heart attack on the Wednesday just four days before, and…