Whether this is your first half marathon or one of many, good preparation makes all the difference. Once we make it to race day the fundamentals remain the same for every level of runner: fuel your body, trust your training, run your race. Here are my 10 tips to get you get to the start line ready to give it your best shot. Hydrate Early and Consistently Effective hydration starts several days before race day. By the morning itself, you’re simply maintaining what you’ve alrea

If you think you can or you think you can't you are right. Running the 'hardest footrace on earth' the MDS in 2016 Setting Ambitious Goals As I wrote my goals for 2025, the black pen glided over the diary page on January 1st. "Run a 50k ultramarathon." For context, I am 62 years old. I have two replacement hips and I live with Parkinson's disease. But here’s the twist: I have completed two ultramarathons before. I tackled the Race to the Stones in 2015 and the Marathon des Sa

Join me for January's challenge: Why: New Years Resolutions are all very well but good habits take time to cement. This short sharp habit forming challenge will allow you, along with others to build new routines. What: Do something that requires you to move for 20min or more every day for the 31 days of January. When It all starts on the first day of January. How The choice of things you might choose to do each day are limitless, be a creative as you like. As it's the start

If you’ve ever looked at an ultramarathon and thought, “Yeah, I think I'd like to try that,” then maybe this is your year.. Ultramarathons are not just races longer than a marathon in length; they’re a whole different beast. Training for one is like preparing for a marathon, but with a twist of mental grit, physical endurance, an eating fiesta and then through on top a sprinkle of madness. Mastering the art of ultramarathon training and running is as much about preparedness a

In April of 2024 I completed my first multi stage race, the Marathon Des Sable (MDS). At the time this was the toughest thing both physically and mentally I had ever done. An amazing experience running 250km in the Sahara. Following this I seeked out my next adventure which was my first 100mile race, the Tarawera Ultra in New Zealand in Feb of 2025. The two events could not have been more different, from sand to ancient rain forests. By now the adventure ultra running bug had

Marlborough downs 33 mile As I reflect on the past year, I wonder if the title of this article is fitting. Having completed my first ultra marathon, I suppose that makes me an ultra runner. But hey, I’m open to correction! The Beginning of My Running Journey While working in Normandy, I found myself juggling cooking for a client and training for my next challenge. During a sweaty, hard 12km run yesterday, I took time to reflect on my running journey over the past 18 months. S