RUNNING

For most of my life running was pain and suffering. But now it is how I find freedom and relaxation. These are the stories of how I got to this point.
Fleeing the UK on foot

Fleeing the UK on foot

This Christmas I am doing what most of my friends are doing. . . fleeing London in search of friends and family. Except that unlike most of my friends, I won't be taking a train or a plane. On the 17th December 2015, I will embark on the longest run of my life - as I...

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Finding the strength to keep on going

Finding the strength to keep on going

So I post a lot about running. And what I share is usually the amazing stuff. The beauty of the places I am exploring or the freedom I feel when I hit my stride and everything is moving and flowing with ease. But not every run is easy. And I think it's important that...

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My chi running story (so far)

My chi running story (so far)

In a few short months Gray Caws and Chi Running have literally changed my life. My technique (and the video!) are still far from perfect, but I'm starting to accept that life is better for the imperfections and I'm incredibly excited to continue making small...

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The Hollow Ponds

The Hollow Ponds

Very grateful for the opportunity for a late afternoon run around the Hollow Ponds. Not a very fast one given all the mud and all the beautiful photo opportunities. But a joyous one! #thingsthatmakemefeelgood

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Reach for the stars

Reach for the stars

I'm still processing the New York marathon and everything that came with it, but this article from Meb Keflezighi is something close to what I'm feeling. I particularly like this quote... "Reach for the stars; you might only get one or two or maybe 10, but you won’t...

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Amazing friends

Amazing friends

I'm fortunate enough to have some truly amazing friends, but today I want to celebrate this beautiful lady who flew all the way to New York to be by my side as I undertook this latest crazy challenge. I am incredibly grateful to have her in my life.

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#NYMarathon #DoneAndDusted

#NYMarathon #DoneAndDusted

So it's all over. And what a day it was. I'm physically and mentally exhausted. To finish at 4:01:22 brought such mixed emotions. I mean seriously... ONE lousy minute! But as my friend Delina said - that is a 'stop and tie a shoe lace' amount of time. And when I...

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#NYMarathon #1daytogo

#NYMarathon #1daytogo

153 days ago I decided to run the New York marathon. I cannot believe that it is now only hours away. I'm not sure how I'm feeling. I'm excited. But also scared. My mind keeps trying to give me an out. An excuse. Telling me that I should have done this or I shouldn't...

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#NYMarathon #2daystogo

#NYMarathon #2daystogo

Friday started with a 6:30am jog on Rotterdam Harbour and ended 22 hours later with a taxi ride into Manhattan. Exciting I guess, but not feeling much like an athlete after a day cooped up eating airline food. I feel tired, sore and bloated... very glad I've got a day...

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#NYMarathon #3daystogo

#NYMarathon #3daystogo

A whirlwind tour of Holland and the 40th birthday of my amazing husband has more than distracted me from whatever is happening this weekend. Not even any running today. The day has literally been spent eating everything that Holland has to offer - stroopwaffle,...

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#NYMarathon #5daystogo

#NYMarathon #5daystogo

I think I might dedicate my life to travelling around the world and posting photos of my runs on Facebook. Today's effort - a 2 mile jog along a canal in Delft, Netherlands.

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#NYMarathon #6daystogo

#NYMarathon #6daystogo

I had my last pre-marathon session with Gray this morning and it was kind of emotional. When I hired him back in July, I thought he would help me get fitter and faster. What I didn't expect was that he'd also help me find joy, freedom and confidence. Yes, I am still a...

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#NYMarathon #7daystogo

#NYMarathon #7daystogo

It might have taken me six hours from putting my running kit on to getting out the door, but I eventually made it out for an 8 mile clip around Epping Forest. The day was was cool, dark and grey, which - if I closed my ears to the sound of traffic and sirens - was...

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#NYMarathon #8daystogo

#NYMarathon #8daystogo

With only 8 days to go, there's not much that will make a difference now. All I really need to do is not get sick and not injured. Oh, and stay confident... Easy, right? So what makes a girl who supposedly "loves running" and is "deliriously excited" about seeing what...

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#NYMarathon #9daystogo

#NYMarathon #9daystogo

Enjoyed a run with Gray this morning. Wish I could bring him to New York with me... it's so reassuring to have him next to me picking up my slacking technique before I even notice anything has changed. We did a route that we've done a few times before and it felt much...

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#NYMarathon #10daystogo

#NYMarathon #10daystogo

Ok. Now that I'm on a forced taper, I'm really noticing how much time I've spent training the last few months. I feel like I have so much extra spare time. I've been trying to keep moving, but to be honest it's been a bit half arsed... hip circles, planks and pushups...

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#NYMarathon #11daystogo

#NYMarathon #11daystogo

You might not have noticed, but I'm getting a tad excited... I've run marathons before. But this is a marathon that is about so much more than a marathon. It's driven me insane. It's driven you insane. It is insane. But it has also been magic. At the start I just...

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#NYMarathon #12daystogo

#NYMarathon #12daystogo

Oh my goodness. It's getting close. And the thing about tapering is that I can't even run off my nervous energy. Hip circles and stretching may be important, but they leave a lot of time for anxious contemplation. Can I do this? Yes. Will I do this? If I don't let my...

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