Ultra-running in my 50s: some good news

This week, I had my annual PSA (prostate specific antigen) blood test, a screen for the signs of prostate cancer. It’s something I’ve blogged about before, having had raised PSA levels that turned out to be benign last year. It’s a test I’d wholeheartedly recommend for any man in their 50s – ultra-runner or otherwise. […]

Finding my next endurance milestone: the Cotswold Way Century

After DNFing at the SDW100, I enjoyed three weeks of rest (plus a week on antibiotics) to recharge and refocus. Since then, I’ve returned to training and feel surprisingly all the better for taking that break. I have a real extra zest and ambition for my running, and am enjoying it so much more. Now […]

Feeling like spring in July

After pulling out of the SDW100 with kidney pain, I set about getting myself back in the groove. My good friend Neil Thubron suggested I do the opposite of what I would normally do, and take three weeks rest from running. This post is really about picking yourself back up after a disappointment – and […]

Things runners don’t talk about #4: Chafing

Ultra-runners! Hands up who’s ever felt the burn of some serious chafing? I have a good friend and fellow ultra-runner who once had to put a sock in-between his butt cheeks to relieve the pain of a friction sore so he could finish an event, which I’m glad to say he did! Whatever gets you […]

Zero-drop trail shoes for overpronators: Altra Provision 3.5

For regular readers, you might remember that I was frustrated when Brooks discontinued the ASR trail shoe. Since then, I’ve been using the Brooks Cascadia out on the trails. It’s a good shoe, but not available (at least in the UK) in a wide fitting, and gets a bit tight around the toes on longer […]

Super Fit at 50: an unexpected update

This all started last summer. I felt embarrassed by my daughter who complained about me taking my top off in the garden. Rather than focusing on body image, I decided to turn that into motivation to become a better version of myself – a fitter, faster ultrarunner, a sharper colleague and a husband and dad […]

Be your own leader

Training for your next ultramarathon? Or simply trying to become a better version of yourself? To succeed, you need to learn how to lead yourself. Think about it for a second. If you are to set or contribute a direction for those around you, you not only need to set a good example – you first […]

Diagnosed with Dyslexia at 51

I have recently been diagnosed with dyslexia and thought I would share it with you. From the age of six, my wife and I noticed that our daughter absolutely blossomed in some areas of learning, but struggled in others. She’s now 10 and doing brilliantly. We started on a journey to understand dyslexia – and […]

Super Fit at 50: a ‘mid-term report’ after the SDW50

I’m on a journey to become a fitter, faster endurance runner and have more energy for the important stuff in life – something I’ve dubbed ‘Super Fit at 50’. The real measure of success will be whether I can run the South Downs Way 100 in under 24 hours. Along the way, I’ve set some […]

Ultra-running for beginners: Where to start

I recently got chatting to some first-time ultra-marathoners at XNRG’s legendary Pilgrim’s Challenge. They were saying how difficult it is to know where to start when it comes to running ultra distances (defined as anything over a marathon, but usually 50km (31 miles), 100km or 100 miles+). Moving up from a marathon Marathons are big […]