Training for an Ultra – no Substituting Distance

The replacement of my right hip (following Lyme’s disease) in June 2021, has led to a drastic reduction in my weekly running mileage. Yet, I have continued to run ultras (three post op) and set myself the goal of competing in Dragons Back this September. But I had a problem. 13.5 miles per week Last […]

Do something which terrifies you!

For me, one of the big benefits of ultrarunning is that we purposely get outside of our comfort zones, and this is where we grow as ultramarathon runners and as people. Having spoken to many like-minded running souls over the years, I know this also to be true for many ultramarathon runners. Genuinely terrified! So, […]

Super fit at 50 – New Hip gets 12 month ‘Ultra’ Approval!

Today, I visited Prof Alister Hart at the Cleveland Clinic London and received 12-month post-op sign-off on my recovery from hip replacement. I never thought this would have been possible pre-op and I am so happy 😊 This is also recognition that running the Pure Trail Race The Tides ultra has done absolutely no harm […]

Running my First Ultra on my new hip!

Last Saturday, some 11 months since having a full hip replacement, I completed the Race The Tide “long-marathon”, my first ‘ultra’ on my new right hip 😊 and I can honestly say that I enjoyed every single step. Puretrail organised a super event. The route was beautiful yet challenging; was really well marked; had 4,383ft elevation earning […]

we are capable of more than we realise

Almost six months to the day I had my right hip replaced and today I ran my first proper trail run; 6 miles with 659 ft of elevation in a little over one hour six minutes (strava). It felt so good to feel strong and confident on my feet in technical and sloppy terrain and […]

Pure joy of running!

27th September 2021 The pure joy of running! I have just completed my first run, well walk/run, since my right hip was replaced some fourteen weeks ago and my first run since 13th May, when I slogged out a very slow and uncomfortable 4 miles on the Isle of White. It felt so good to be running, […]

Struggling with running goals? Be kind to yourself…

Are you finding that time is quickly passing you by and that you are struggling to find the motivation to achieve the New Year goals you set yourself only a few weeks ago? I know I am and talking with friends, family and colleagues, many of us are feeling flat as one day washes into […]