At the end of the day, the result matters less than being able to look in the mirror and say, “I gave it my all.”
Category: Ultra
Autumn 100: The one that went right.
29 minutes in & my watch beeps at me. I stop & slow to a walk as a steady stream of runners pass me, several pausing to ask if I’m okay. I guess they’re not used to seeing someone walk quite so early on in a race & I appreciate their concern. My walking is … Continue reading Autumn 100: The one that went right.
Thames Path 100: A race of three thirds
It’s mile 51 & I’m having a one-woman sit-down protest. I’m sitting on the grass by the river in Henley refusing to move. I’ve spent the previous ten miles listing all of the reasons why I’m stopping. It’s too hot. My legs hurt. I’ve fallen behind my target & so won’t hit my goal, therefore … Continue reading Thames Path 100: A race of three thirds
Wendover Woods 100: The one that didn’t go to plan
I shout about the good ones so it’s only right that I also shout about the ones that *don’t* quite go to plan. At the end of 2019, I ran the Wendover Woods 50. The hilly woodland trails were everything I love about running & it instantly became one of my favourite races. When Centurion … Continue reading Wendover Woods 100: The one that didn’t go to plan
North Downs Way 100: The Race of my Life
My stomach turns in nervous anticipation as I see the sign ‘this way to the finish’. Turning into the stadium grounds I hear the excited buzz of the finish area. I hold myself back for a moment & take a deep breath. A few quiet words as I compose myself. I’ve done it. Through the … Continue reading North Downs Way 100: The Race of my Life
Wendover Woods 50, 2019
Wendover Woods 50, where do I start? I wasn’t going to write about Wendover Woods 50, in fact, I’m only now sitting down, a few months post-race, with some words to say. Pre-race I just wasn’t really feeling it. Earlier on in the year, my whole focus had been on the two South Downs Way … Continue reading Wendover Woods 50, 2019
The South Downs Way 100
How do you condense the story of 100 miles into just a few hundred words? You don’t. Mix a G&T, this is a long one. A few weeks later & I’m still not sure if I have the right words to accurately tell my SDW100 story. I sit here, trying to think of the words … Continue reading The South Downs Way 100
Run well, run swiftly but remember to take in the view, The South Downs Way 50
I started writing this post on Saturday evening, lying in bed drinking pink gin in a tin & eating crisps (don’t judge, I had just run 50 miles…!). Those words were very different to the words I write here. Sometimes a few days of reflection are needed to rationalise thoughts, feelings & emotions. I write … Continue reading Run well, run swiftly but remember to take in the view, The South Downs Way 50
The XNRG Humanity Direct Ultra, aka the 50km training run
I *totally* get the irony of calling a 50km race a training run, but that is exactly what the XNRG Humanity Direct Ultra was. On the 10th March, four weeks before the SDW50, I lined up on the start line ready for my longest ‘training’ run & what would hopefully become my second longest run … Continue reading The XNRG Humanity Direct Ultra, aka the 50km training run
Photo Girl Runs 