"Daddy, why didn't you show courage in your run?" The race was only just done as my 5-year-old boy sat next to me and started discussing his "values" at school. One of them is courage, which means you keep trying hard. He was proudly wearing a medal around his neck from the 1-mile run he completed, where he demonstrated courage to run the whole thing. I was really proud of him (and his twin sister) for doing the race and was yet to come to terms with whether I'd made the right call. 2/3 about to show courage So let's start the sympathy priming and rewind 24 hours before the start. We were on ..read more

In 2014 I moved to Bedford for no reason. It was kind of in-between somewhere and somewhere else that seemed convenient, and house prices were low. I could get down into the big smoke by spending only 35 minutes in a sweaty sardine can. Over the years I have become familiar with the trails here. From running on London's river paths, canals and touristy parks, I transitioned to country roads, wiggly trails and cow caressed grassy fields. I really enjoyed it, discovering new trails, following red lines on maps, never quite knowing whether you are going to see some awesome golden footpath or a wa ..read more

Once upon a time, there was this relay race around Rotherham. It was called the "Round Rotherham Relay". You could run it as part of a team or do all 50 miles on your own. It took place in the middle of December, where the weather was likely to be foul and the terrain awful. Many a British ultra runner would have a story about how they waded for 10 hours waist-deep in mud to earn a little badge to sew onto your backpack. It was so awful, and it was beautiful. It felt like something runners had to do at least once a year as "enjoyment cleansing" ritual. It was shit, but necessary. Unfortunately ..read more

Parkrun wouldn’t be parkrun without 37 little kids underneath your feet at the start line ready to bounce off like coiled springs. Off into the distance they fly as all the grown ups settle into a pace they know they can sustain for 5k. Soon enough all of these uncoiled springs moving at high velocity will wither into dead slinkies, wheezing and heaving and trying to take a mental note that this time next week they should sit indoors and watch Paw-Patrol instead. Here I was on that start line of a parkrun, I actually felt quite good. Not in PB shape but ready to give some beans. As close to 19 ..read more