Tunbridge Wells Hospice Run 10K

I’ve completed the Tunbridge Wells Hospice in The Weald 10K three times, in 2012, 2013 and 2015 respectively. In 2015 I stated that I wouldn’t take part again, saying: “Trust me, this will 100% be the last time.” However four years have passed, and Hospice in The Weald have tweaked the format of their annual…

Race for Life 2019

I take part in my local Race for Life 5K every year because it’s a fun, easy run for charity, and because historically it has a guaranteed great atmosphere with hoards of supporters. The event caters for runners, joggers and walkers and encourages everyone of every age and ability to participate. However, this year I…

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…

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  :)…

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…

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…

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…

Race for Life 2018

I take part in my local Race for Life 5K every year because it’s a fun, easy run for Cancer Research UK, and because historically it has a guaranteed great atmosphere with hoards of supporters. The event caters for runners, joggers and walkers and encourages everyone of every age and ability to participate. So on…

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…

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…

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…

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…

I ruined my Race for Life

I take part in the Cancer Research UK Race for Life event every year because it’s local, my friends and colleagues join in, it's a fun run for charity, and because historically it has a guaranteed great atmosphere with hoards of supporters. The event caters for runners, joggers and walkers and encourages everyone of every…

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…

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…

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…

The Magnificent Moonlight Walk

I’ve participated in the 8 mile Hospice in the Weald Tunbridge Wells Moonlight Walk for years, often completing it with my mum and sister and making it an annual family tradition. In 2013 I took part alone as mum had other plans, and I met some lovely people on the walk who I’m still in…

The pretty mundane Pretty Muddy 5K

I’ve taken part in the Tunbridge Wells Race for Life every year for as long as I can remember, even when I wasn’t into running, and it’s become a tradition more than anything. This event is local, my friends and colleagues join in, and it has a guaranteed great atmosphere with hoards of supporters. The…

A present to myself

In a previous blog post (‘Medal hangers and bib displays’) I mentioned that I’d fallen in love with a gorgeous, but super pricey, medal hanger: https://www.medalhangers.com/view/350/Give-A-Girl-The-Right-Pair-Of-Shoes-and-She-Can-Conquer-The-World. I’d had my eye on it for a while, but it’s American, and with a $75 price tag and $45 shipping cost, I was hesitant. I researched this medal…

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…