Running on Full

Random thoughts, used to be about running

Running

On why we run

On why we run

Sophie–Books, Running–

Running with the pack: thoughts from the road on meaning and mortality by Mark Rowlands (2013) – on why we run Mark Rowlands has been a runner for most of his life and is a professional philosopher. For him, the two – running and philosophy – are intimately linked. At the heart of Running with the Pack, he is seeking to answer the question: why do we run? Do we run to stave off middle age, for the company, to relieve stress, to exercise our dogs, for self-improvement? Or do we run for its own sake? Is running a form […]

Me with a huge grin on my face with medal on one hand, and other hand and arm in a sling.

Race Review: Chiltern Challenge – My First Ultra

Sophie–Race Day, Running–

My first ultra – There is something about ultra running that appeals. I don’t know what it is but I’m fascinated by runners’ stories about their adventures and the ups and downs of running 50k, 50 miles, 100 miles, 200 miles or events like Marathon Des Sables or the infamous Badwater. An ultramarathon is a race longer than marathon which is 42.2k/26.2miles. And my first ultra was the challenge I set myself earlier in the year. It was time to bite the bullet and sign up. I decided I’d start with a ‘short’ ultra, 50k/31miles. So I looked at some races […]

Running free

Running Free: A runner’s journey back to nature

Sophie–Books, Running–

Review of Running Free: A runner’s journey back to nature by Richard Askwith (2015 edition)   You know you’re a runner when you wonder what non-runners dream about. Running Free is about freedom and liberation from the commercialisation of the sport we love so much. Askwith’s writing is a thing of beauty, his passion for the sport evident from the first page. This book is for you if you’ve fallen out of love with running. It’s for you if you’re feeling ‘mergh’ about running. This book if for you if you love running, with some handy hints on surviving running […]

First ultra

Ultra Training Diary: How I’m thinking my first ultra will go

Sophie–Race Day, Running, Thoughts on Running, Training Updates–

They say a picture paints a thousand words. So rather than rambling on about what Saturday might be like, this is how I’m thinking my first ultra will go …   Fear of not waking up on time means setting multiple alarm clocks at 1 minute intervals and no sleep   The next morning   Breakfast   Coffee Getting dressed   Leaving home   The arrival   First things first At the start line of my first ultra   A few miles in   A few more miles in   At the aid stations   A few other thoughts   […]

taper grumps

Ultra Training Diary: The Taper Grumps

Sophie–Race Day, Running, Thoughts on Running, Training Updates–

Be warned: writing this while with a case of the taper grumps. On Saturday I headed out to do my last double digit run until my 50k this weekend. I’m now familiar with how the taper goes: legs feel heavy; thoughts of I’ll never do this creep in; the end of the world is nigh! Every physical tweak makes results in a feeling of panic. So I wasn’t expecting much. But this was beyond the bad run. It was a warm day. I started off with a loop of a local park and then headed into the woods. A mile and […]

Taper time

Ultra Training Diary: It’s Taper Time

Sophie–Running, Training Updates–

It’s taper time and for once it brings a sense of relief…for now! 12 days to 50k! But it’s also when the questioning starts: Have I done enough? What’s it going to be like on the day? What’s the weather going to be like? The last week has been hard work. After covering a marathon distance a little over a week ago, there’s not a lot left in my legs. There have been a few nights out as well, with some wine…hmmm. But I’m very glad to report my lower back is better with no aches and pains. And there […]

Marathon in training

Ultra Training Diary: A Marathon as Training

Sophie–Running, Training Updates–

If someone had told me 6 months ago that I’d do a DIY marathon as training for my 50k, followed by a run (well, more of a painful walk) the following day, I would have laughed. And that laugh would have been a loud, verging on hysteria. But on Saturday that’s just what I did. But I’m getting ahead of myself… It’s been a strange week. My facet joints in my lower back have sorted themselves out and I’m back to doing core work. But it was still the case that on Wednesday I had one of the worst runs […]

running with back pain

Ultra Training Diary: Running with Back Pain

Sophie–Running, Training Updates–

Running with back pain is not fun. After a 4 mile run on Tuesday and 40 lunges, I decided it was time to do some squats. BIG MISTAKE. I felt my lower back tense as soon as I went into the squat. I stood up gently but knew my friendly L3 and L4 in the lumbar region of the lower back were giving me a lovely little reminder that they’re there. It’s on ongoing issue for me and when it comes to running, it’s meant I had to not do the Rotterdam marathon in 2015 and had to defer my place […]

Ultra Training Diary: 5 weeks to go

Sophie–Running, Training Updates–

I’m exhausted. No surprises in training for an ultra – the last week was my highest mileage ever in a week, 44.6 miles.   I know there are many folk out there who do a lot more. To be honest, I should as well given I’ve gotten a 50k trail race to do in 5 weeks. I’m happy – a 5k seemed tough at the beginning of the year so the fact I’m doing a 50k so soon is exciting. I know there will be walking and there will be hills. The plan is to treat it like a fun […]

After a bad run, Snoopy wondering about the meaning of life - where am I going? What am I doing? What is the meaning of life?

Dealing with the Bad Run

Sophie–Running, Thoughts on Running–

Ever had a bad run? I mean a run that really sucks? One of those where you doubt your ability to run even one mile. This was me the other day – 7 miles with heavy legs running slower than I have for a long time.  I wasn’t ill and I’m not injured. This run sent me into the dreaded downward thought spiral. Doubt. Fear. A bit of an existential crisis. Yep, it’s all there. But over the last few years, I’ve learned a lot about how to deal with runs like this and try to switch my headspace from […]

Women's Running UK Race Series

Women’s Running UK Race Series 2017

Sophie–Race Day, Running–

I’m so excited about being a Race Ambassador for Women’s Running UK!   These races are for female runners of all abilities – whether you’re a first timer, a club runner or chasing a new PB.   I love running and love supporting folks who run – it doesn’t matter if you’re speedy or not, running a mile or an ultra – I’ll cheer you on!   Running has changed my life over the last 5 years – the people I’ve met, the fun I’ve had. Whether a run is good or bad or anywhere in between, it’s always worth […]

La Sportiva Trail Running Shoes

Ultra Training Diary: 6 Weeks To Go

Sophie–Running, Training Updates–

Six weeks to go to my first ultra and it’s been a week of running blergh. During the week there’s been good and bad and I’ve needed some time to reflect.   1. On the plus side, I have lovely new trail running shoes from Snow + Rock – Akasha Black/Yellow from La Sportiva!  I was really impressed not having been to this store before – superb customer service and they listened to what I had to say. I ended up with men’s model as while the women’s were prettier, the store was out of stock and I always need to try on […]