Archive

  • otso…..2 minutes of wisdom

    I started 2025 with a persistent cold, a heavy dose of the midwinter blues and felt very lacking in ambition or inspiration. Indeed, I only went out for my second run of the year on 23rd Jan !!! But – the cold has finally lifted and I’m running again, and by sheer chance last week… Read more

  • …..diary of an also ran 7

    Sunday 19th June 1983 was a hot and fairly windy day, but this time I stuck rigidly to my pre-race plan of aiming to run 6’30”s for 20 miles and then hang on to the finish to get a PB. As I went through 20 miles in 2hrs 10’40”, I was very nearly spot on,… Read more

  • …..end of year report

    If you happen to be feeling a bit down at the moment, probably best to give this one a miss (but at least it’s short). It’s a habit of mine at this time of year to look back on the year that’s ending, and maybe look forward to an ambition or two as the New… Read more

  • …..diary of an also ran 6

    I had begun to feel that I was more naturally suited to the longer distances, and had entered my first “Ultra” – this being defined as any distance beyond the 26.2 miles of the marathon. Dipping my toe in the water rather gently, I entered the South London Harriers 30 mile road race which was… Read more

  • …..diary of an also ran 5

    I started off 1982 with a significant jump in mileage, putting in 5 successive weeks of 35, 39, 50, 47 & 50. This produced some faster times in regular training routes, but also resulted by the 5th week in shin pains and a loss of enjoyment as for the first time, I was chasing mileage… Read more

  • …..diary of an also ran 4

    London/Manchester/Harlow My second race ( and second marathon ) could hardly have been more different in scale and character from the first.  From the thousands of runners and spectators and the high profile media razzamatazz  that accompanied the London Marathon, my second foray into marathon running had an altogether lower key feel about it. The… Read more