Hidden among the trees of the Hurtwood, deep in the Surrey Hills lies one of my biggest running defeats. Back in December 2018, when Corona was still just a beer, I was utterly destroyed by the ultramarathon; Hurtwood 50k. I may have finished but in my eyes I failed. I struggled beyond belief and it scarred … Continue reading Hurtwood 50K – Rewriting History
I have always been a proud Welshman, if you read my last blog post about Hiraeth you’ll understand how the Wales’ countryside is an intrinsic part of my identity. My desire to spend more time in it’s mountains, to connect more with my family history has led me to signing up to the biggest challenge … Continue reading 2021 & The World’s Toughest Mountain Race
Day Four: 76KM (Part One) When we left the tent that morning and made our way to the start line, we had no idea that by the end of the stage we would lose one of our tent mates and have another hanging on by an ever thinning thread. Our tent dynamic was about to … Continue reading MARATHON DES SABLES: PART SIX
The day before the start of the Marathon des Sables can be defined in one word: faff. We spend the early morning unpacking and repacking our bags, attempting to shave a few last minute grams. Since we carry everything needed for the race (except for water and the bivouac tent) any weight that can be … Continue reading MARATHON DES SABLES: PART TWO
On Thursday night I couldn’t sleep, waking up every hour or so in a cold sweat. Just signing up for a race over a year away had cracked my ability to sleep. Well not just any race but the Marathon des Sables, the toughest footrace in the world. What does the Marathon des Sables entail … Continue reading Why I’m Running the Marathon des Sables
On the eve of every January 1st, I scribble on a post-it my aims for that new year about to burst into life with fireworks and fizz. The note, passive aggressively towards my future self, then gets stuck to my fridge. That way every time I buy something I shouldn't have (no doubt chocolate) and … Continue reading Running Resolutions
To put it lightly Kate Jayden is unstoppable. Her list of challenges completed will make your head hurt but she isn't stopping there, her 2017 is going to be the hardest year yet. At the start of May she will be attempting a six day round trip from London to Paris using only her running shoes and her … Continue reading Running with… Kate Jayden
Thousands of people have climbed Everest, as little as three hundred people have run across America. For a long time running a marathon was considered the pinnacle of endurance running, a sport populated by wierdoes, hippies and trail blazers. As it became more main stream, populated by clueless muppets like me these lone soles moved on … Continue reading Running with…The British Forrest Gump
I finally finished reading Dean Karnazes' incredible book 50/50 this weekend which details his Endurance 50 race. The ultramarathon legend completed 50 marathons in 50 days in 50 states in the US. Right towards the end of the book, which I encourage every one of you to read, he writes a paragraph that to me sums … Continue reading Runner’s Pride
