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The Morning Coffee Run

DO WHAT YOU CAN'T

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5K. No Pace. • So that run was allllll over the place! I had said I wasn’t going to run this week to give my knee a bit of a rest after Race to the Stones but decided to head out anyway to get a bit of a sweat on (see pic for evidence of sweatiness!). • But I just couldn’t get into any sort of rhythm at all which I know is because my body is still recovering from 50km along the Ridgeway but was still very frustrating! • I had good pace for the first 3km but then my body simply decided to shut down and from then on in it was a real struggle just to keep running. • I know I still need more time for my running to recover so I’m going to head to the gym now and work on strengthening my body up so I can get back to running the miles I crave once again. Marathon season is just around the corner and I want to be ready.... • • #5km #endure24 #runfit #sweatymess #runnersofinstagram #marathontraining #runhappy #marathoner #marathonprep #ukrunners #runningblogger #runningmotivation #instarunnerswales #instarunners #runnerskneerecovery

Review Time✍️ • This review time is all about what I use to avoid chafing, which is a bit of a sore subject for me (bad pun I’m sorry 😂). It’s a bit TMI but it’s an important topic as we all suffer from it in one place or another! • When I first started running I was 130kg, so my thighs were a bit chunkier then they are now so chafing would often stop me mid-run as the pain would be too bad. While I’ve now got the kit down to a fine art I know that if I didn’t this pain would have crippled me during Marathon des Sables. • First let’s talk about what didn’t work for me: • Bodyglide and Vaseline would work but if I missed one spot or ran anything longer than 10km the crotch sandpaper would return. During a race I would have to work out when to apply otherwise I’d risk it not being affective come the start of the race or having to run with a little pot of Vaseline in my pocket. • Runderwear were entirely useless for me, the material they use is too thick and as such would cause me to overheat which any bloke will attest isn’t pleasant. They also didn’t cover my thunder thighs so they would still rub and despite them having a sticky liner I found that they wouldn’t stay put. • Shorts with an inner mesh felt uncomfortable and restricting. • So what did work? Well if you look in this photo you’ll see it is lycra/compression shorts. • I now use @2xu and absolutely love them (not an ad!). The ones I wore for MdS had cooling technology and while it might just be PR hype I had no chafing at all during the sweltering heat. I use them and also @underarmouruk shorts, typically used for rugby players, for all my runs now. I’ve not had any chafing issues since I started wearing them as they typical are long, keep everything in place and as an added bonus actually help ease muscle soreness. • I actually also wear Under Armour or 2xu tops as I find they restrict my wobbly bits from wobbling and stop nipple and armpit chafing. • Honestly, they have been a complete game changer for me. • • #runninggear #runchat #2xu #underarmour #instarunners #ukrunners #marathontraining #runnersofinstagram #runningkit #runningblogger

BALANCE • While doing my strength and conditioning work I got thinking about balance. Ironically I was mulling it over while trying and failing to stay balanced while doing far too many squats on the Bosu Ball... • Having finished my ultra season until March next year my mind is turning to marathon training and my sub four hour attempt in October. • I could start it straight away but I’m going to give myself a couple of weeks of just doing what I want training wise which will probably mean not a lot of running while I get my knee back to full strength. • I am incredibly excited for my marathon season and the training cycle for it but it’s important to have balance. I’ve been at risk of pushing it too far for much of this year with my training ramp ups and it it’s what ultimately caused my knee injury so I know I need to work on balancing my training out. • P.S yes I know trying to balance on that thing gives me a vein in my forehead like a super villain! It might look easy but I promise you IT IS NOT! • • #gymtime #balance #bosuballworkout #bosuball #runningmotivation #marathontraining #runhappyteam #ukrunchat #runchat #garagegym #instarunners #marathon #goaldiggers #trainingrun #marathon #strengthandconditioning #gymlife #runnerslife

Progress isn’t Linear • It’s safe to say I’ve been through a fair few changes in between these two photos. • Since my injury I’ve been having a pang of fear that I’m moving backwards. The number on the scales and my running pace back that up. The fact that halfway through Sunday’s 50K I simple couldn’t run anymore, rammed home that I’m far from 100%. • But what I’m comparing it to is pre Marathon des Sables where I was the fittest and lightest I’d ever been. • The chap on the left was 130kg and could barely run. Comparing my fitness and health to him I realise just how momementally far I’ve come, even though I’ve taken a step back. • To steal from @little.runner.mel post this morning; “progress isn’t linear”. I may be one step back but I’m 1,000s of steps ahead of where I once was. • So if you’re injured or struggling to train at the moment just remember that you’re still further down the road then when you decided to start. • • #transformationtuesday #runningmotivation #weightlosstransformation #weightlossjourney #runnersofinstagram #ukrunners #runhappyteam #supportinsport #weightlossinspiration #runningtoloseweight #runningismytherapy #runnersbody #runnerslife #injuredrunner

AD | Medal Monday • My knee is sore, my thighs feel like they are in vices and my feet have definitely seen better days but it was all totally worth it. • Taking part in this epic event and having such brilliant company has really made this ultra one of my favourite races I’ve ever taken part in. • I will be back one day to complete the 100km but for now this race signals the end of ultras for 2019 and the restarting of marathon training. I need to give my body a bit of a rest first but honestly I cannot wait to restart training. • #ad #gifted @racetothestones • • #medalmonday #rtts #rtts2019 #racetothestones #ultramarathon #ultrarunners #ultrarunning #ultratrailrunner #trailrunning #runhappyteam #instarunners #ukrunchat #ukrunners #welshrunner #50km #50k #mondaymotivation #marathontraining #brooksrunhappyteam #runningmotivation

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Race to the StonesJuly 13th, 2019

The big day is here.

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Running With..

A set of interviews with runners that inspire, excite and encapsulate the great sport we lace up our shoes for.

Marathon des Sables

In 2019 I took part in the 'Toughest Footrace on the Planet'; The Marathon des Sables. You can read about my journey in the desert here

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