Feeling out of my depth

I’m writing this just after my first ever surfing lesson. I was rubbish and it was exhausting, but I feel exhilarated. I’m going back tomorrow for a second go. Hopefully I’ll manage to actually stand up… It was a bit of a proud moment, watching my family and the rest of our ‘pink’ beginners group […]

A funny story…

A couple of weeks ago, I was catching an 8am flight from Bristol to Dublin – something I do quite regularly as part of my job. As always, I paid attention to the safety instruction demo, which for me includes counting the number of seat rows in front and behind to the emergency exits, and […]

Need a ‘lift’? Hang out with positive people

Have you ever spent time with someone who has bags of positive energy, and come away feeling recharged yourself? I love spending time with infectiously ‘can do’ people. You can’t help but feel challenged and inspired by being around people who achieve things – whatever they are. The older I’ve got, the more self-confidence I’ve […]

What running with a weighted vest did for me

There has been a lot written this year about the value of running with a weighted vest or rucksack. I have been using weighted vests since January, so here’s my take on the option… It should go without saying, that if you have joint problems then you should seek professional guidance before deciding to run […]

Running Rings Round Mental Illness

Two thirds of us will experience mental health problems in our lifetimes. This year, one in four people will experience the symptoms of a mental health problem. These are frightening statistics. All the more frightening is that mental health remains a taboo subject which few of us talk about – particularly at work. I’ve been […]

How to start a new running habit - and stick to it

Starting anything new is daunting. More than 2 million people run in the UK – from coach-to-5k-ers and weekend pavement warriors, to trail and endurance runners (like me). It’s fast becoming the UK’s favourite form of exercise. My last post covered how to get into ultra-running. This one’s for anyone who wants to simply get […]

How to step up to your first ultramarathon

Are you fresh from Boston or London and looking for your next challenge? Perhaps you’re training for a marathon, love running, and want to take your experience up a notch. Stepping up to an ultramarathon might be for you. What is an ultra? Generally regarded as any distance over 50km, ultramarathons can be found the […]

Five life-changing habits coaching has given me

Over the last two years I’ve been coached by Neil Thubron. Neil has made an enormous impact on how I look at life: what I expect from it and, interestingly, what I need to contribute to be fulfilled. The latter was not even on my radar back in 2016. Neil also helped me to establish […]

Even endurance athletes aren't invincible

Yesterday, I was fortunate enough to receive some good news from my doctor: I don’t have Prostate cancer. Six weeks of uncertainty for me and my family, caused by a bladder infection, gave way to relief. My only problems are an enlarged prostate and a slightly raised PSA level, which will be monitored. So, no […]

Is your ego holding you back from achieving your goals?

Have you ever thought that your pursuit of a goal might be making you inherently selfish? Perhaps you’re a dedicated endurance athlete, or a motivated, focused manager looking to succeed in your work. Do you ever stop to consider how your commitment to your journey affects those around you? Or, to put it another way, […]