Physical Archives - Page 2 of 7 - Better Sore Than Sorry

adidas city runs – Shoreditch 10km – 8/10/17

The Shoreditch 10km was the inaugural adidas City Run.

The blurb says –

The first in a brand new series of 10k runs across your capital. The Shoreditch 10k takes in some of east London’s trendiest haunts and favourite neighbourhood hotspots. Explore the city with thousands of runners.

I’m not quite sure what the concept is. Is it about making running trendy and urban? Is it about adidas marketing and controlling their own events? Maybe its about participation? Continue reading “adidas city runs – Shoreditch 10km – 8/10/17”

Coming back stronger

GNR Stretch — Not really relevant to the post. Just funny! I’m stretching after the GNR, not clearing up!

In my post about the 2017 Ealing Half marathon, I explained a little about the challenges of running. Even though I had the physical side covered, the mental side got to me.

Whenever I have struggles, be it running, cycling or BMF (especially BMF) I think of the phrase –

“It doesn’t get easier, you just get faster”

The guy who was leading the Ealing Half (heading in the opposite direction) who started 30 seconds before me but finished 35 minutes ahead (he was at mile 9, and I was at mile 6) looked like he was finding it challenging. If we flip places when I was at mile 9, the runners going the other way looked to be having their own battles, but also lots of fun.

Running can be humbling. Continue reading “Coming back stronger”

Ealing Half Mini Recap – Sept 2017 – The Mental One

A shorter recap of this year’s Ealing Half. You can read a fuller review from last year here.

I’m not sure why I entered the Ealing Half this year. It’s a great race and fairly local, but following the Great North Run two weeks ago and a weekend chugging beer and demolishing schnitzel in Berlin, I was not feeling fully “on it”. It was likely an early bird email deal that I just could not resist! Continue reading “Ealing Half Mini Recap – Sept 2017 – The Mental One”

Great North Run – Sept 2017 – The Iconic One

The Great North Run has been on my bucket list for many years. Just like the London Marathon, you wake up on a Sunday morning, make a cup of tea and switch on the TV to find its Great North Run day. You watch the coverage, get all inspired, swear that you will do it next year and then go for a run. This year, I held myself to it and did it. Continue reading “Great North Run – Sept 2017 – The Iconic One”

12 mistakes about running and made by runners

There are the general running/life tips that help– get quality sleep, stay hydrated, eat good food…..

Then there are the training tips – actually take time to warm up, don’t go too far too soon, don’t go too fast in training or a race…..

I like the little tips that sometimes you don’t think of, or take for granted and turn out to be really damn useful. Here are 12 pointers covering starting running, training, kit, racing and belief.

It’s like cross country at school

Continue reading “12 mistakes about running and made by runners”

Playing to win, or playing not to lose?

The other day I came across this quote –

“For the past three years, I have been playing not to lose. After yesterday, now I am playing to win”.

It can from another excellent post by Peter Bromka. It was a text from his Dad to him before the Chicago marathon.

His Dad had heart surgery three years ago, and the day before the marathon he had been taken back into hospital for further surgery. Continue reading “Playing to win, or playing not to lose?”

How do I get the smell out of my cycling/running shoes?

My cycling shoes and running shoes have been living outside for the last couple of days. Following the rain last week, both got wet a few times and never quite dried out and started to whiff a little.

If your shoes get wet and don’t dry out in time (or slowly) it’s the perfect environment for bacteria to thrive and multiply. It’s the bacteria that produce the smell.

As cycling shoes are rigid and made of hard wearing material the drying process is also not helped.

Here are a number of ways that you can try and get your cycling cleats/running shoes smelling nice, or maybe just not smelling. Continue reading “How do I get the smell out of my cycling/running shoes?”

Ride London 46 Recap – 30th August 2017

I’ve been cycle commuting on and off for 7 years. I rarely do more than 7-8 miles in one go. Two laps of Richmond Park is my max, before I free wheel into the café for a brownie! After a number of years of trying, I finally got a place in Ride London. Not the 100 but the 46!

As opposed to running, cycling needs a bit more stuff. Therefore, I was up early Saturday morning, cleaning my bike, oiling my chain and stripping it down (mudguard and reflectors removed) to make way for my numbers. I set out my kit and set my alarm from 5.30am. I was ready to go at 11 am the day before. So much for not being prepared! Continue reading “Ride London 46 Recap – 30th August 2017”

How to buy the right running shoes

The great thing about running is how little kit you need. The one essential piece of kit you do need is your shoes. They’re the one item that is not worth scrimping on. Your feet are obviously integral to running and you should look after them.

Everyone runs differently and the way that their foot lands or “strikes” the ground is different. Having a good idea of how your foot strikes the ground can help you buy the correct shoe for you. Continue reading “How to buy the right running shoes”

Halfs on the Horizon – Am I improving?

As ever, I’ve let things slide. Races (at which I’m excellent at booking) are quickly rushing up on the horizon.

There are 8 weeks until the Great North Run and 10 weeks until the Ealing Half.

I’ve been running and training regularly, so there’s some work in the tank. I have no idea where I’m currently at fitness or speed wise, as I have not raced or parkrun’d in a while. Sometimes, when I run, I feel good, and sometimes, I have a shocker. Continue reading “Halfs on the Horizon – Am I improving?”

It’s like cross country at school