low mileage ultra training with my new hip

Some nine months after having my right hip replaced due to Lyme’s disease fast-tracking a genetic weakness in the joint and once again, I am enjoying my running so much. Recovery is going much better than I could have hoped, so I have signed up to run my first ultra on my new hip at […]

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 […]

Stepping out of our comfort zone

Yesterday I completed 82 miles and 5,385 ft of elevation, hiking the magnificent Ridgeway over three days as I marked XNRG’s awesome Druid’s Challenge (see excellent review Adam in Runderland: The Druid’s Challenge). As I neared the finish, hiking up the 3 mile hill to Barbury Castle guided by my head torch and the light of […]

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, […]

The Power of Positive Mental Attitude. And a puppy!

12 September 2021 Since my previous post some 8 weeks ago, I have spoken with two other ‘runners’ who have had similar surgery and we unanimously agreed that a positive mental attitude and can-do (will-do) approach to exercise and recovery has been a significant factor in all of our excellent progress (to date). Subjectively, I […]

4 weeks post hip replacement-op: life changing

Life changing The operation to replace my right hip with a ceramic one took place mid-afternoon 15th June and by Thursday 17thduring my morning Hydro session at The London Clinic, I knew that this op was without doubt life changing. Funnily enough, once home during my early morning walks with one crutch (I have stuck to […]

Superfit at 50: pre-op benchmark to aid recovery

On Tuesday, I will have my right hip replaced and subject to a diligent recovery (not over doing things!) the plan is as follows. Full recovery will take 12 months so this will be a measured journey; Wk0: lots of movement which means not sitting for periods longer than 40 minutes so regular short walks […]

Superfit at 50: realising we’re finite

In readiness for my forthcoming operation to replace my right hip, I visited my consultant to see the results of the MRI and CT scans of the hip and for him to talk through any questions I had.

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 […]

7 benefits of running every day for a year

Today, I ran 5 miles to complete my first year’s run-streak, running at least a mile a day every day for 365 consecutive days and I plan to continue this daily rhythm throughout 2021. When this run-streak started, none of us had any idea what a life changing year lay ahead. Whichever country is your […]