There’s a saying, often attributed to Disraeli, that there’s three types of lies; lies, damned lies, and statistics. I can’t tell you if Disraeli ever said such a thing, but I can tell you it’s been true in my running. After being frustrated on my Bob Graham attempt in May, I wasted no time getting running again. I was back out within a couple of days. That next weekend I set a target to take a Strava crown on a four mile segment I’d been eyeing up and did so comfortably. The weekend after that was the Trail Pursuit half marathon, which last minute route changes had turned into a 15 mile technical fell run. Bad news for people who paid in good faith for an accessible trail, good news for gluttons for punishment like myself. All seemed to be going to plan until a frustrating outing at Blencathra Fell... View Article
April 2020. The month started with Kilian Jornet announcing his retirement from trail running to focus on fishing. I’d be more than happy to step up and take his place, but to quote the Easter story, ‘the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak’. I take about twice as long to get up a hill! Luckily for the running world it was an April fool, during a week otherwise devoid of much to laugh at. The whole of April has been lockdown, which has been a very different experience for everyone. Something I’m learning this month is not to apologise or feel guilt for finding good things at the moment. It’s easy when there’s so much pain in the world to feel bad over things that bring us joy. Lockdown has been good for me in many ways. The rhythm of life feels much more sustainable. I work, I exercise,... View Article
January 31, 2020,
by Pete
As new year’s running goals go, this year’s were fairly standard. Go further, higher, faster. It’s the same every year. I do realise that there’ll come a time when that’s no longer possible, I just refuse to accept that time is now. January, then, is when the rubber hits the road. And the trail. And any other surface that looks like it may be runnable. It’s a month of poring over race listings and trying to get the key dates in the diary firmed up. The month started with the Resolution Run on Newcastle Town Moor. It’s a multi-terrain 9km with a few hills that are steep enough to make you groan but not so lengthy as to slow you to a walk. I set off quick only to realise I didn’t have it in the lungs or the legs to keep up the pace. The hills were my only... View Article
