Running and exercise during a prolonged fast

I’ve been considering a three-day fast for some time now. Extended fasts have been credited with a range of potential health benefits, including ‘resetting’ the immune system. Although the scientific jury is still out in terms of credible research studies, anecdotally fasting is thought to have helped people over generations to refresh systems in the […]

Unexpected health update #2: Trail running & Lyme Disease

According to the NHS, Lyme Disease is a ‘bacterial infection that can be spread to humans by infected ticks. It’s usually easier to treat if diagnosed early… In the UK, ticks that may cause Lyme Disease are found all over the UK, but high-risk areas include grassy and wooded areas in southern England, and the […]

Running through the unexpected: Ultrarunning and epilepsy

Life isn’t without its surprises – good and bad. I haven’t published a post on here for over a month due to something unexpected that happened back at the start of June. One of those ‘big’ health events, it’s got me thinking about what it means for the things I love, including ultrarunning. Together with […]

Ever felt like just a yardstick for someone else’s progress?

This week, a running client shared her frustrations at feeling used by her friend (a stronger runner) as a yardstick. They always seemed to go one better, to run a bit further or a bit faster. It got me thinking about how we think about ourselves in relation to other runners… You can’t change how […]

Lockdown, cross-training and ultra-running: using this time as a runner

The current lockdown restrictions have got us all rethinking the way we live. As an ultra-runner and an ultra coach with XNRG, I’m keen to apply an ‘endurance mindset’ to life’s challenges, and this is no different. It’s got me mulling over how runners – of all levels, speeds and distances – can use this […]

Marathon to ultra – is it all about distance training?

With spring and summer marathons cancelled, it’s given us all more time to reflect on training for distance races – so here’s what I’ve learnt from running marathons (and beyond into ultras). My first marathon was the Marathon du Mont St Michel some 20 years ago. At the time, I would have described myself as […]

Beyond the medal

Like many of you, I have had to refocus my running goals as summer races are postponed or cancelled. It’s got me thinking: how do we keep the momentum going on training when goal events go out the window? Rewind to the last time things didn’t go to plan Let’s go back to 19th December […]

How to plan a monthly ultra training schedule you can stick to

Late in February, I spent half an hour over a coffee mapping out when I could run this month. It’s an approach I also take with my coaching clients. It doesn’t take long; we’re talking broad brush stuff. It should form a rough plan that can then flex slightly when other things need to take […]

Winter training: Vitamin D and ultra-running

One in five people in the UK has low vitamin D levels, according to the NHS. It’s essentially a national condition during the winter, when a lot of us aren’t getting enough of the vital vitamin from sunlight. It’s something I’ve only become aware of through regular blood tests as part of measuring my training […]

Dealing with a recurring historic injury

Niggling injuries are not a runner’s best friend, but they can be your constant companion. And, with age comes the greater risk of injuries rearing their heads. It can be a headache in training, as I found out just before Christmas… A trip too far Let’s go back a few weeks to mid-December. It was […]