Conti Thunder Run 24hr – Solo

My first 24hr event. The Conti Thunder Run is the original 24hr trail race consisting of as many 10k laps as you can muster in 24hrs.  Now in it’s 12th year, it’s held in the grounds of Catton Park, Derbyshire and attracts thousands of runners who are up for a challenge – whether that’s running

4x4x48 Challenge

The challenge: run 4 miles, every 4 hours for 48 hours. I stumbled upon the 4x4x48 challenge a couple of years ago and it has resonated with me ever since. Popularised by American fitness guru, ex navy seal and ultra runner David Goggins, it’s now an annual event featured heavily across all social media platforms.

Additional Kit, Nutrition and the Final Long Run

Week 19 – Taper Phase w/c 23.09.2019 Recommended mileage: 14 milesActual mileage: 28.1 miles I’d booked Monday and Tuesday off work. Ruth was away in the Lake District, enjoying a relaxing week at Centre Parcs whilst I got to spend some quality time with Thomas whilst James and Oliver were at school. It also gave

Sports Massage, Stretches and a Last Minute Half Marathon

Week 18 – Peak Phase w/c 16.09.2019 Recommended mileage: 60 milesActual mileage: 35.2 miles On paper, this was to be the toughest week of the training programme. The final ‘Peak Session’ with a recommended mileage of 60 miles, after which, I would start to taper. I woke up Monday morning feeling exhausted. The boys had

Trailffest Half Marathon

About to board the train to the start line What a brilliant race! The Trailffest Half Marathon is billed as ‘one of the most scenic you could hope to run, with dramatic changes of scenery and terrain the whole way to the finish line’, I wouldn’t disagree. Everything about this race, from the steam train

Working Away, Night Running and a Return to the Malverns…

Week 17 – Peak Phase w/c 09.09.2019 Recommended mileage: 55 milesActual mileage: 40.3 miles I was fortunate enough to be working in Cornwall this week but only managed to get in a couple of runs due to work commitments. Both were circular coastal runs; one from Cardis Bay to Hayle and the other slightly further

The Isle of Wight Half Marathon 2019

The Isle of Wight Half Marathon is organised by Ryde Harriers and is best described as an undulating, two-lap, scenic race held on hard packed farm tracks and bridleways. It attracts over 250 runners made up from local running clubs and tourists alike. The event is held in August and starts and finishes in Appley

Rest, Recovery and Aching Limbs

Week 12 – Build Phase w/c 06.08.2019 Recommended mileage: 40 milesActual mileage:  3.4 miles I did it! I ran the length of the River Tees, from it’s source in Durham to the sea in Redcar. 92 miles! Yes, 92 MILES!  I’m still buzzing. I’m still overwhelmed. I’m still in pain. My feet are in bits,

The Teesdale Way 2019

The Teesdale Way is a 92 mile trail which follows the River Tees from it’s source at Dufton in Cumbria to the sea at South Gare in Teeside. The trail runs through the remote high moorlands of Cumbria and Durham to the industrial landscapes of Teeside and the coast. The journey is comprehensively waymarked; wooden

Physio and a Return to the Lickey’s!

Week 11 – Build Phase w/c 29.07.2019 Recommended mileage: 40 milesActual mileage: 98.2 miles Monday started with a trip to physio and some good news. After an initial assessment, the ankle had shown significant improvement in terms of mobility and strength that I was given the all clear to start running off road and on

Working Away and Weekend Camping

Week 10 – Build Phase w/c 22.07.2019 Recommended mileage: 40 milesActual mileage: 17.9 miles Work took me to East Anglia on Monday. I’d based myself in a quaint little B&B in the historic village of Weston Longville, just outside Norwich. The B&B was situated above a family restaurant and country inn; which would prove to

Canals, Country Lanes and Calorie Counting

Week 9 – Build Phase w/c 15.07.2019 Recommended mileage: 35 milesActual mileage: 35.4 miles The week started with a trip to physio. Rehab had been going well. I’d been strict on myself with the exercise program, doing them religiously 2-3 times a day and I felt there were definite signs of improvement over the past

Building up the Miles and a Manchester Legend

Week 8 – Build Phasew/c 08.07.2019 Recommended mileage: 35 milesActual mileage: 16.8 miles I took Monday as a rest day. I was conscious of doing too much too soon and wanted to stick to the schedule as much as possible. It’s easy to think that once you’ve done a couple of runs pain free then

A Welcome Return to Running

Week 7 – Build Phasew/c 01.07.2019 Recommended mileage: 35 milesActual mileage: 9 miles Monday started with a trip to the physio and in all honesty, I was feeling slightly apprehensive. The swelling had gone down but both the ankle and the lower calf still felt tight. I had the first appointment of the day and

Turbo Training and Swimming in Circles

Week 6 – Base Trainingw/c 24.06.2019 I finally got the all clear to drive and returned back to work on Monday. I’d been confined to the home office for the past two weeks and it was a relief to get out of the office, visit some customers and not be stuck behind a desk. I

Let the Training Plan Commence…

Week 1 – Base Trainingw/c 20.05.2019 Recommended mileage: 20 milesActual mileage: 43.1 miles Well, the first week of training didn’t necessarily go to plan so not the best start !?!  In exceeding my recommended mileage and not doing any strength work (which I’ve no doubt will be the hardest regime to stick to) is not

The Training Plan

I’ve always been meticulous and methodical when it comes to keeping a training diary. I don’t necessarily follow a plan of such, but I do like to keep a note of all the runs I do and be mindful of my weekly mileage. Since I ran my first marathon in 2016, I’ve recorded all of

The Next Challenge…

So why LiaD?   I turned 40 this year and had been thinking of a new challenge for quite some time. Something that would push me to my limits, something that would fill me with fear like a marathon used to do. I’m not saying its the norm now not to get a little nervous or