Last year I entered the water on Hampstead Heath on a December dawn. I could not stand the 4-degree coldness, the pool spat me out. So, in September I decided to take to the water each weekend in attempt to soften my body to it. To open my arms, heart, stomach, liver - exposing my … Continue reading Cold Water
Every van dweller is different, we converted our van on a budget so skimped on certain things (no toilet, shower, fridge or built in heater) and we also work full time in London. We get asked the same questions about the practicalities of living in a van. I can tell you the answers are the … Continue reading Van living Q&A
Written in the back of a ‘colour away stress’ book is a wish list. Words across a page of black and white waves written in the winter after our first West Highland Way in 2016. Written in a cold, damp and dark rental property in Cambridge, on that list is a van. Max was in … Continue reading To Build a Home
Reflections post 96mile ultra on recovery and training again. Coming to terms with the long term recovery and affects of our insecure lifestyle on our physical and mental health.
From our own gardens to the remote highland mountains, from city parks and forest schools to the coasts, and beyond to the islands, Scotland’s nature is that of a national pride and international wonder. The Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) aims to further conserve, facilitate enjoyment and advise on sustainable management of Scotland’s nature and land. … Continue reading Connecting People and Nature
I have given a full blow-by-blow race report on John Kynaston’s final podcast; you can find it here. I completed the 96mile race in 33hrs and 5mins. I am under no assumptions, my finishing was part of a team effort. Without my crew, Neil Scott, Kristin and Jason Main, Susan Barley and my husband Max … Continue reading West Highland Way Race 2018
Now I am less than 3 weeks out from the the West Highland Way Race. The work, however much I managed, is done. I have been thinking about this race for about a year, it has been in my mind daily since then. I started 'pre-training' in mid October, 1 month after the Ring of … Continue reading The trouble with unfounded expectations
I have never written on here about this, but in 2011 I had glandular fever, which in itself was not much of a big deal. Unfortunately, I was unaware at the time how close to burnout I was, which meant I never recovered from the post viral fatigue and developed Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), or Myalgic … Continue reading Burnout…
I had not intended to enter the 2018 Fling, with the West Highland Way race in the same year. Back in 2016 it took me 6 weeks to recover enough to even want to run again. I was scared I could not recover in time for the WHWrace, just 8 weeks later. Neil my Chief Crewman, … Continue reading Highland Fling 2018 Race Reflections
My longest training run will be the Highland Fling on Saturday at 53miles (eep!). I will use the race to practise my WHW race pacing so it will not be a PB (must put my ego away and not race!!). Racing at WHWrace pace will allow me to estimate realistically my splits for my crew … Continue reading Highland Fling 53 mile footrace!
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