The Run Diary Archive Blog

Jumping into the Big Freezer as in the English Channel everyday? If you see us going in from the beach in Worthing please shout out 'bravo' rather than 'bonkers'... more

Now back in the UK for the summer, life is a beach and not a mountain. Pounding the prom has taken over from powering uphill, picking up the pace to notch up Strava segment achievements... more

What was I thinking? When I clicked the box on Strava Challenges to complete 200k running during the month of May it seemed doable along with climbing 2000m, I also entered the 10k and 5k challenges for the month, which was really just pot hunting to have those Strava trophies... more

How many different ways are there to run 1km from home and/or walk the dogs around the trails in order to vary the routine during lockdown?... more

A 10km run in January? How hard could it be? Darned hard with over 500m vertical, off piste snow, icy chemins and nearly two extra kilometres thrown in... more

Being out in the mountains for the winter, it's good to mix it up a bit, exercise wise so not everyday is a ski day. There's also a 10k trail race coming up... more

But although I was pretty stoked to have completed the 14km with over 1000m vertical Defi du Granon, vertical, sometimes just putting on trainers and going out for a run is what makes us all winners... more

Here in the mountains, the only way is up. And when our local but famous cols - Galibier, Granon and Izoard - are closed to traffic for three or so hours for cyclists it's a great opportunity as a runner to reconquer these landmark vertical challenges without dodging cars... more

Having had a stress fracture on my foot since the end of June when we arrived back in the French Alps, I've been off all games except for walking in stiff supportive hiking boots. When you're used to exercising at least three times a week, it's so hard to put your feet up (well, one foot) especially when all your friends are posting epic bike rides and long runs on Strava... more

It was on the last day in Tarifa, I was running another 10k barefoot along the beach when I felt a twinge in my right foot. But I was only half way and needed to turn around and run the second half as in 5k back on the sand. My time was good so I decided to go for speed and ramped up the pace... more

So, for running it means which ever way you go there's going to be a wind in your face or at your back. Running into a Force 5/6 is good resistance training. And so is running up the 40m high sand dunes... more

Running can take you places that uplift the mind as well as the soul. For a month, I am in Tarifa in southern Spain where golden beaches stretch for miles and rugged hills rise up behind.... more

When you go skiing or snowboarding you want to hit the ground running - or rather riding - that is, not be out of breath after the first black run with aching quads after the first mogul. Running uphill is one of the best ways to get ski fit... more

There are those who consider a speed bump a hill, and others who eat mountains for breakfast. As I enjoy running uphill in the mountains I relished the challenge of a steep road race. But three kilometres from the start I was choking on dust as the pack disappeared around the next bends... more

In Madagascar for a month where the main roads are worse than mountain trails there's no alternative but to take off the trainers and run barefoot by the sea. Yep, life's a beach (when it's not a mountain)... more

Do you stop, get bandaged and know your time will be a PW Personal Worst? Or keep going dripping blood and try to still make the 10K in under the hour? I had 27 seconds to make the decision... more

Trail running in the mountains - skyrunning if it's above 2000m - is great for leg strengthening, core and stamina. Also for amazing views. And then there's dancing downhill... more

Siggy shares challenges, sweat, doubts, hard work and overall achievement finishing the Brighton Marathon, last month. What got her round the 26.2 miles? Long solo training runs, the motivation from other runners, the crowds cheering every step, the atmosphere, Fleetwood Mac's Go Your Own Way and the determination to cross the finish line for that marathon medal... more

All the physical training for the Brighton Marathon on 15th April is now done as it's the final, tapering week. But now it's time for the mental preparation before running those 26.2 miles... more

The countdown to the 26.2miles of the Brighton Marathon on 15th April looms even closer. There are currently eight weeks until race day! But the idea is to prepare not to fail not fail to prepare... more

It's a significant milestone in anyone's life, to run a Marathon. Twenty six milestones, in fact. As a Sports and Body Massage Therapist, Siggy knows the benefits of listening and looking after your body - and is mindful of how much of a challenge it'll be mentally as well to compete the Brighton Marathon 2018... more

You should surround yourself with loved ones who motivate and inspire you. Your circle should be well-rounded and supportive. Keep it tight. Keep it private. Quality over quantity always. Some days you have to tighten up that ponytail and roll with the punches. Keep running. That’s what you have to do in order to feel alive, take a risk... more

But around two years ago I put on trail shoes and ran up mountains going up steep inclines without stopping. And I can't quite explain it except to say it comes from the Forrest Gump school of endurance running as in putting on trainers and just heading for the hills... more

In the mountains in France, a few of the key roads to the cols are closed to cars now and again for three to four hours. But not only does this give cyclists the roads to themselves but it's also a good opportunity for running without petrol fumes... more

In the mountains at the moment it's June and the snow is still thawing above 2300m so the trails are slick with overflowing streams and, sometimes, actual snow... more

This varied terrain is good for pace and balance. It also keeps me on my toes, sometimes literally. And it's never boring when you have such amazing mountain views for inspiration... more

Yep, we're back in the mountains enjoying the warm autumn sun and glorious foliage displays before the snow envelopes them for the winter... more

Now that winter has come the temperature drops and so does our motivation. In the New Year we set goals. But how do we make these our plan of action?... more

October can be a glorious month for running. Crisp sunny days. For me, it's time for even more hill running to get seriously fit for the winter ski season. For Siggy, running is her first step to getting her full fitness back after her ear operation... more

I couldn't see as I was stuck to the branch. She eventually rescued me and the episode tickled us after as it, literally, stopped me in my tracks... more

Doing a Strava challenge is definitely motivating even if you don't receive anything more than a virtual trophy that's locked in a virtual volt unless you pay! And it's game over when you Garmin watch decides not to take part... more

But what made me run those extra metres up to 2642m and the Col du Galibier in the French Alps? A photo opportunity... more

But I just couldn't help clicking on the Strava icon, this morning. The 3000m Run Climbing Challenge icon for the month of July. Will it be an uphill struggle?... more

It isn't the speed that counts for Race For Life, it's the atmosphere. I know we are blessed to be able to run while those fighting cancer do not have the choice... more

We were running on a sunny day in the Worthing 10K race along the seafront. Feeling the heat of what seemed like the first day of summer after weeks of rain and wind. And, then, it was ‘waiting on a sunny day’, dancing to Bruce Springsteen on the pitch at Wembley for three and a half hours. How to do long distance? Learn from The Boss, and his irrepressible high octane marathon performance... more

No matter how much you plan for a race, how diligently you train, how healthily you eat, when it comes to the day, you just don't know how well you're going to run... more

I came back from the mountains two weeks ago along with the Jack Russells. Kiki and Beanie where we have been skiing all winter. Yep, even the dogs who come ski touring in the spring. They follow in our tracks when there's powder, loving the chase as we ski down. Usually it's around a three to four hour hike and ski so they're pretty fit. And I think I am, too. But ski fit is not the same as run fit - my thighs still ache when I start running again!... more

The first Half Marathon to be held in Worthing was too good an opportunity to miss in our home town. But with no running training (just skiing for me and gym for Sigs) before hand, could we complete it without walking (or popping home for tea as we passed our house six times)?... more

So it was just as well that we trained along the South Coast of the UK in windy November! Because it sure blew in Vegas! And rained. All 0.34ins monthly average in half an hour during the race... more

So last weekend was our last scheduled long run before the Las Vegas Half Marathon. But the weather, on Friday, was pants. Windy and raining. And set for the weekend... more

Just when everything's going so well, illness strikes. Even just a cold can affect your ability and desire to train. To run or not to run? That's the burning question... more

Yesterday, we challenged ourselves - up monster hills, cross country, over dual carriageways, through farms and fields. And a railway line. Doing a 9 mile training run - and on track for Vegas... more

Four weeks before the Las Vegas Half Marathon, we run the Worthing 10K along the seafront. It was cloudy and sunny, with a cool North Easterly, perfect for a race in October. We have a cunning plan to run together. For once... more

Running up mountains and weight lifting in the gym. Yep we've both gone off-piste a bit from the normal training schedule for a half marathon but, let's face it, sticking to schedules can be a tad tedious... more

Why do we run? On the list of motivational reasons, running for the sake of a view may not be at the top, way behind running to stay fit, eat loads of guilt free pasta, creating,PBs or competing on Strava... more