Ultra Running & Huskies

Looking down from above...

2012-02-10T07:19:00.000-08:00

I can no longer smell or touch them, but I can see and hear them.

They are my pack. A long time ago I led the way for them, through the good and through the bad. Now they have no leader and they stumble on. She takes good care of them and tries to fill the void I left behind, but she is not of their kind and there is only so much she can do. She fails to accept this and as I watch I am powerless to help or comfort her in the way I once did.

The pack has grown since I moved on, there is a young one that I know to be of my blood and there is a stranger that struggles to fit in with a life he was not born into.

There is also another two legged addition to the pack. He walks and talks with her and takes care of her in ways I could not. They speak more than we did, and he offers what I could not. They have a connection that bonds them together and I know she is safe with him.

I know she still misses me so. I see her look at my reflection upon the wall, a longing comes over her face. I can read her mind, know her thoughts. When I had to leave she was lost, and sadness almost overcame her. She did not want me to leave and struggled to cope, but she found a way. She still dreams of me, I can see her dreams, I cannot touch her but I am still here.

She wishes for that which cannot be. One day it will come true, but that day is a lifetime away.

I see my son, the black one as he has grown. He struggles now, his mind and body declining in strength. He still does fight the onslaught of age, weakening of a body once so strong. He is most definitely his father's son. OCD has become his daily life, it brings tears and yet smiles to her face, I see it all from up above.

My grandson, the grey one is also struggling. He always had his special little ways of looking at life. I taught her how to help him when he couldn't cope with some stresses in life. Her way made him worse, my way reassured him, gave him respite and built his confidence from a mind that over worked. She watched me do it, followed my example. Against all the advice of behavioural “experts” her instinct told me that I was the one that knew best.

My great, great grandson, the brown one I remember as a boy. When he first arrived in the pack, he was fearful and scared of even his shadow. As a pack we helped him grow, I took extra care to teach him the ways of a leader, hopeful that when I had to leave their world he would lead my pack. I ran out of time and he ran out of strength, it was not meant to be. He can do some of what leaders must do, but then he wobbles, confused and unsure. I watch him try to protect the harmony in the pack, yet sometimes he is the one that creates the disharmony. He tries to help her and mostly he does, but sometimes he cannot quite do the rest.

That fateful day as I watched from above, his confusion proved too much.

There is one within the pack, that I do not fully understand. A pale brown one, white face so full of expression. He arrived after I left, but was already of near adult size. He was very weak and timid when he first joined the pack. Hunger and neglect ravaged his small form. He had simple behaviour that threatened no one. The others accepted him as one of their own. The pale brown one shadowed the least confident member of the pack, the brown one, the one most bonded to her. I watched the pale brown one's confidence grow as guided by the brown one he fed off her confidence. When he was scared he looked to her and looked to the brown one for help. Together they helped him grow and thrive. A dog that had never before known love or trust, he learned both. His past life was bad, full of evilness directed by others to this little being. That badness contributed to that fateful day.

The dark grey one I know to be of my blood. He is young and full of life. He knows not yet how to respect others, believes in himself beyond what he should.... The others protect him, especially the brown one, yet at the same time the brown one is also the one who reprimands him most. He follows her lead and when she scolds the dark grey one, he scolds him too.

There is something very special about the dark grey one, he has an aura that the others do not have. He stands firm and tall and doesn't give up in what he believes in. He is smart and uses her to get his way, I think she knows what he is doing, I see her smile when he is not looking.

I saw them dancing the other day. The dark grey one is the only one that dances with her now. I used to dance with her before pain took over my weakening form. There is a song I remember well, that causes her eyes to water so and grief overcome her body. It was the last song we ever danced to. The words “wave goodbye, wish me well, you gotta let me go....” etched forever in both our minds.

I am proud of what she has achieved since I have gone. She struggles to accept herself, forever chasing something she will never ever find. It makes her who she is, but sometimes she doesn't remember enough.

The brown one is the one that knows I watch from above. I see him standing and staring, sitting and staring, following my moves. I know not if he sees me or just feels my presence. She watches him closely, refusing to believe, yet wanting to believe. She cannot explain it, but she knows him well. The bond they have is very strong. I watch them run for miles and miles. They do not need to speak, there is a connection that travels between them. Neither confident on their own, together they are a team that works like very few.

I wish I could tell them it will all be OK. I have the power to see where the pack's path does go. During her dreams I try to share, I cannot describe the journey to the destination, they must find that themselves. She sees these dreams and does believe.

When I first left my pack I travelled far, to find an old friend that I now share my new world with. Together we returned to watch the pack from up above. His true family once was a herd, but he preferred the pack and chose to stay with me as we lived in life.

My son will soon rise to join me once again, and together all three of us will watch over the pack.

Forever and ever, we will watch from above....

I remember, mostly I remember...

2012-02-06T13:07:00.000-08:00

A list minute entry to Thames Trot 50, organised by Go Beyond Ultra. This event was a chance for some self retribution after the “non happy” ultra three weeks prior. Pride and elbow still hurting from my Country to Capital trip....

I had simply one objective for this run. To enjoy. Enjoy and in doing so, remember who and what I am.

For this reason, my training partners were all given a part to play in my trot along the Thames Path, from Iffley, Oxford to Henley on Thames.

The plan was to run one dog at a time, changing them where Ian could meet me – based upon road access to the Thames Path.

First up was Kez, from Iffley to Abingdon Lock. Due to a very congested group of 380 runners, and some very narrow paths, he was the dog of choice to start the run with. A complete master of interpreting the actions of human runners, I know to trust and follow him when slaloming among runners. I have learned to interpret his body language and if he is unsure about an overtaking manoeuvre he looks to me for encouragement. We work well as a team. Most of the time I do not even have to give him a command, he just knows.

This run was very traumatic for him at times. Still struggling with confidence since the attack, every time we saw another dog (of which there were many) he tensed, and hesitated, frequently coming to a standstill. With my help and encouragement be would run on by, usually at high speed. Sadly there were many off lead and out of control dogs that charged at him all day. I am extremely grateful to one of my fellow runners that almost resorted to kicking one such dog into the Thames after it has chased us, nipping at Kez's legs for more than ½ of one mile!

As we approached Abingdon, Kez started picking up the pace, sniffing the air and I knew Ian and the other dogs were close by. Through Abingdon Lock and there they were, Kobi and Kroi both keen to have a go running with “mum”. Ian handed me Kobi and we were off..... And then we stopped... to sniff the grass (by “we” I mean I stood by as Kobi did what dogs do). Then we started running again, and then we stopped as a runner approached us from behind and Kobi got scared..... And so this pattern continued for every mile that I ran with Kobi. He sensed my frustration, which I so desperately tried to hide. All our huskies, especially Kobi respond strongly to our moods, even when we try to act differently, they just know. One of the reasons I have such a strong bond and connection with the dogs is that I am as honest with them as possible, it is rare for me to pretend to them that I am something else, they always know!

I could not get cross with Kobi, I knew his behaviour was being driven out of fear. We had delayed his de sexing operation as long as possible as I believed that he would regress as a result of this surgery. The confidence we had spent so long trying to build since he was rescued would be taken away and need to be rebuilt again. My worst fears have been realised as not only has his confidence taken a battering, his trust and connection with me has been severely torn apart. I so wanted to prevent this happening, but this connection has to be changed in order for our pack to be harmonious. I do not belong to him alone and he has to share me with Kez and the other pack members.

I will not deny the affect that Kobi's behaviour had on me. I was ready to quit the race after 14 miles as my emotional strength was gone. I had failed in my duty to this little dog and it hurt badly.

Kobi and I were given the honour of carrying the Olympic Flame in the torch relay on 12th July 2012. If I cannot help him between now and then, neither of us will take part in the relay. There is no way that he can do it alone (he will need another dog by his side), but I do not know at this moment in time if he will be able to even do that. This dream I had is slipping away and I find that hard. I do not mind failing myself, but to fail another is a huge burden to bear. If he is not there, I will not be there.

When I reached the doggy handover point at Clifton Hampden Bridge, Ian was waiting and he knew from my face that I was in a bad place. He handed me Kroi, but I could not run. My energy had been completely drained from my body and I just wanted to crawl into the back of the car with all of the dogs. Ian tried to convince me not to give up, but I was not hearing his words, just feeling the pain of Kobi and what he has endured and had to cope with in his short life.

I know all too well the emotional consequences of DNF in a race. I did not care, it would be my punishment for letting my little boy down. Kobi looked happy now with his little pack, a few grizzles with Kez, but nothing that could not just be attributed to “boys talk”.

I could see that Kroi wanted to run, was keen to do what he loves doing, but my legs failed me. Then, Ian said the magic words, “go with Kroi, he is the future...” something about those words gave me the inspiration to provide power to my legs and I responded to Kroi's demands that we ran...

Once we were moving it did not take me long to find myself again. A husky's enthusiasm for running tends to have that effect!

We ran stride for stride for many miles, eating up the ground, catching up with other runners and striding on by. Kroi certainly is the future, but he is also the present. He is only 8 months old and full baby brother to the most amazing endurance athlete I have had the pleasure to run with, Kez. Together they will make an amazing team and I have a feeling that they will become rather famous – something that will please Kroi immensely as he is absolutely fascinated by people with cameras! He will happily run past other people and other dogs, even earning to switch off from “huntable” creatures when running, but put a camera in front of him and there is no way he will ignore it! He runs straight to them and just stands there... and for some reason the first section that I ran with him had four people with cameras..... boy that was fun trying to explain to people that he was only a baby and not a badly behaved dog!!

The other really funny thing that happened during my first run with Kobi was when I realised we were approaching Streatley. I suddenly recognised The Ridgeway on the other side of the Thames. It is no secret that I have very fond memories of The Ridgeway and that I have a very important objective upon it in August 2012... So when I realised where I was, I could not help myself in screeching the words “it's The Ridgeway” to my fellow runners! Those not wearing earphones looked at me blankly and I was rewarded for my enthusiasm by nearly falling over in the mud that was rapidly defrosting beneath out feet/ paws. I managed to stay upright and we reached the next check point. More delicious cake for me, and a few well deserved sausages for the puppy. He wanted the jelly babies, but I had to remain firm and “motherly” to his requirements!!

After Goring/ Streatley Bridge Kroi was replaced with Kez and off we headed to my most favourite section of the Thames Path....

Before I reached it I spoke with a lady with the most amazing leggings – they were pink and stripey and looked really cool. I complemented her and in return she complemented my Zensah pink calf sleeves. We spoke for a few minutes and as I ran on I had a feeling that we would speak again, something kinda clicked and I just knew.... Her parting words to me were to take care of my ankle on the next section (she knew the course from a previous run), there is no way she could have known about my ankle, but it felt kinda special that she made the point.....

I did indeed take care of my ankle during the next few miles, and took care of a few mind demons as well....

It is well known that I am a fan of hills, and suddenly I had some nice little mounds to run up and down. The foot of the Chiltern hills I believe, what fun I had. I was so tempted to turn around just to be able to run up and down them again....

It was around this point (around 30 miles) that I suddenly realised just how significant and beneficial my “alternative” training is. Running with two rebelious and competitive dogs at 5 am most days of the week has give me phenomenal leg strength. I have to use my quads to brake and although it hurts, it has given me very strong legs. All during the run and in the two days after, I have felt absolutely no pain or discomfort in my legs at all.

I reached Ian at Whitchurch on Thames where I handed over Kez and went solo as there was a road section for a few miles.

Kez then joined me again at Purley on Thames, where we continued until Shiplake where Kroi joined me for the final run in to Henley.

Anyone that knows me, will know that I always finish ultra events strongly, typically my last two miles are my fastest of the full race. On this day, that was not to be...

Kroi was fascinated by all the people that were out walking along the banks of the Thames. He wanted to speak to them all, play with all the children and dogs. He did not want to run at sub 7 minute mile pace! When I am running with dogs, their needs always come first, so I resigned myself to a casual run to the finish line. There is a boardwalk section that goes across the Thames, and then back again. Wooden boardwalks are not puppy friendly and his little paws kept on slipping between the slats – never in danger of hurting himself, it was still a very daunting experience for a baby husky. I nearly resorted to carrying him, but he soldiered on and we made it safely to the other side.

Lots of dogs to say hello to in the park, I could see the finish line but was powerless to pick up the pace until the last 100 yards when Kroi spotted cameras and raced towards them.

The end of a 50 mile run and another day of amazing experiences, good and bad. I cannot thank the organisers (Go Beyond Ultra) or my fellow runners enough. They were all so supportive and a pleasure to spend the day with. I shared time with old friends, and made new friends along the way.

So what comes next.... Kobi needs a lot of help, which we will give to him. Whatever it takes it whatever we will give.... And for my running? I think I realised a few things about myself on Saturday. A few things that I may have forgotten, courtesy of the stresses of everyday life. I am an ultra runner, it comes naturally to me and I have the most amazing training partners, support partner (that's you Ian) and amazing friends that I have met through my running.

I remember now and I don't intend on forgetting. I achieved my objective, plus a little bit more. The Thames Path now favours well in my memories and I would like to discover more of it.....

Dear Mummy: You would be so proud of me

2012-02-06T07:02:00.000-08:00

Dear Mummy,

I have been trying really hard to be a good boy. When I get grumpy with Kez and the puppy, human mum and dad don't like it. Sometimes they put me in a big cage and close the door. I quite like the cage because I feel safe and they always give me a big treat to eat when I stop being grumpy. But sometimes the puppy is naughty and manages to trick me into leaving the treat near the side of the cage and then he steals it!

Kez doesn't run away from me like he did after I hurt him. He sometimes gets really grizzly and mutters under his breath, which winds me up cos I just want to be his friend. Sometimes he shivers as well, which I don't understand as he is a husky and should not feel the cold. He slept downstairs for the first time in ages last night, I liked that because I could sleep near him.

I have been going out with human dad on my own a lot recently. I like when he gives me lots of treats and takes me on exciting walks, but sometimes I get really scared because human mum and the other dogs aren't close by. When this happens I lay down on the floor and pretend I am somewhere else. Human dad has to wait a little while for me to stop pretending and then we go walking again.

The other day human mum took me all the way to her work. She had to take me because I didn't want to stay in my cage all day and human dad had to go to a special place to do some running stuff. Human dad is going to run all the way from the top of Scotland to the bottom of England on the road where cars go. I think he is silly cos there is so much grass and hills that he could use instead.

It was really exciting going to human mum's work, but I felt really scared when all the people she works with wanted to say hello to me. I don't know these people and shouldn't speak to them, but human mum got sad when I kept laying down and pretending I was somewhere else. I think she doesn't want me to play this game any more. She keeps telling me that I need to be a big brave boy and that no more bad people will ever hurt me again. I trust human mum, but sometimes I still get scared. Sometimes when I get scared I make bad smells too, and human mum had to drive back from work with a big jacket on and all the windows open. She kept on making weird noises too, which I thought was funny and tried to make my “woo woo” noise to join in.

One day human dad took me to the place where sick dogs go. I wouldn't leave him so he had to carry me in. He spoke nicely to me as a lady touched me and then I felt really sleepy....

When I woke up I was in a really weird place and there were strangers every where. I was so scared and wanted to be with human mum and all the rest of the family. I stayed in this scary place for ages and worried that I would never see my family again. The strange people tried to be nice to me, but I was so scared.

I was just about to try and find a way to escape, when I heard a familiar voice.... Human mum was in the next room! I was so happy. I still felt really sleepy, but I knew I would be safe now. Human mum gave me lots of cuddles and took me home to my bed where all my favourite toys were waiting for me when I stopped sleeping.

Since I went to the sick dog place, I have felt different. I felt really sleepy for a couple of days, but not as grumpy and irritable. I have been trying really hard not to upset Kez, or human mum and dad. They let me play more with the puppy and don't get all tense every time I walk over to Kez.

We went to a race the other day where there were lots of other dogs. I used to always run with Kez, but this time he stayed with human dad and human mum took me away on my own. The other dogs around me were all really noisy and I felt very scared. Human mum stayed beside me and kept telling me that I was a good boy so I didn't shout back at any of the growly noisy dogs.

We then got to run really quickly and I overtook lots of other dogs with their humans. I was faster than all of them and when I had gone by them I stopped, cos I though I had won the race. Human mum kept on trying to run so I tried to keep up with her but it felt weird as the only people and dogs were ones coming towards us! I felt really scared and wanted to lay down and hide in the long grass. Human mum wouldn't let me and I had to try and jog beside her.

Then a really big dog came charging at me and I lost my temper. Human mum wasn't happy when I lost my temper and she shouted at the big dog, and got between it and me. It didn't bite me and we ran back to the car. On the way back there was a scary man in front of me and I tried to avoid him by going under the fence, I think human mum was too big to follow me as she wouldn't let me and made me run really close to the scary man. He didn't hurt me so maybe he wasn't so scary after all.

When we got back to the car Kez and Kroi were happy to see me and we all went for a really fun run together. Kroi thinks he is faster than me and so I kept bumping into him to try and make him fall over!

Human mum has also been running some really long races recently. I think she is practising for something. She lets all of us run different bits of the races, human dad takes us in the car and when human mum appears he swaps us over.

We did a really, really long run this weekend. It was dark when we got up and really dark when we got home. Kez got to run first with human mum and then it was my turn.

It felt really weird running somewhere that I had never been before. There was a lovely big river that we seemed to be following as we could always see it as we ran, but human mum wouldn't let me chase the ducks or go swimming. There were so many people running near us and they were all really scary. I kept on trying to run away from any that came near us, but human mum wouldn't let me. She kept on trying to make me run on the same path as the scary people and I didn't want to. Then we suddenly saw a massive group of people and they were all staring at me. I was so scared and I tried to hide by laying down on the ground. If I made myself really small the people might not see me and I could play my “pretend I am somewhere else game”. But human mum picked me up and wouldn't let me lay down. She spoke to the people and then took some cake from the table where all the people were.

When we got away from the people human mum stopped and offered me a piece of cake. She was really upset and her eyes were watering. I don't like when her eyes water cos her voice goes funny and she smells different. I didn't want to eat the cake, so she eat it all instead.

When we started running again we went really slowly and lots of people overtook us. Every time they did I tried to lay down and hope they wouldn't see me. Human mum's eyes kept watering and I didn't want to look at her cos it made me feel sad and I felt even more scared.

We finally got to human dad and where he was waiting with Kez and Kroi. Human dad gave Kroi to human mum, but she wouldn't run. She just stood there saying words that I did not understand. Human dad tried to chase her away, but she kept stopping. Kroi tried to pull her away cos he wanted to run, but she just stood there. Human dad finally made her run away and Kroi tried to catch up with all the people that had scared me when they ran past. I suddenly felt really brave and knew I would be safe with human mum and Kroi, so I screamed at them to stop, jumped up and down, making human dad drop my lead and went chasing after them....

But a big scary man blocked my path and human dad grabbed my lead again. He took me back to the car. I could see human mum and Kroi in the distance, just standing still, waiting for me to get to them. But human dad drove away and it was ages before I saw them again.

When we finally got home it had been snowing and Kroi was so excited as he had never seen snow before. We played for hours and it was so much fun and made me so tired. Kez didn't play much, just watched. I think he was really sleep from all the running he did with human mum that day as he had four goes and I only had one go.

The next morning when human mum said hello to me in the morning I ignored her. I usually say “woo, woo” every time I see her, but this time I didn't. She lifted my paws and prodded me all over, but I stayed really still. I didn't even lift my head. Her eyes started watering and she went away for a while.

When she came back I remembered to say “woo, woo” and she smiled a really big smile and her whole face went smiley. She hugged me and said nice things She said that she though she had “lost me”, which is silly cos I was always there. I was just really, really sleepy and wanted one of those lay ins that humans speak of. The she said something really nice mummy, she said “dear Kobi your mummy would be so proud of you”. I know she meant you.

Wherever you are Mummy, I am trying really hard to be a big brave boy, I promise.

Kobi

Two sides to every story: the words of "the victim"

2012-01-22T11:01:00.000-08:00

Now that I am feeling so much better, I thought that it would be a good idea to speak out. I feel sorry for Kobi just now as it appears I am getting all the sympathy, whilst he is in the dog house.

He really scared me the other day when he went all weird and attacked me. Once he started he didn't want to stop and he hurt me a lot.

He has been very tetchy for a little while now, getting really irritated and using bad language a lot. If he was a human I think he would have spots and play loud music in his bedroom. He even has even sworn at the humans. He wasn't always like that, I remember how he used to be....

When he first arrived he was all skin and bone and scared of everything. Human pack leader wanted me to do things with him and kept giving us things to play with and take us out on walks together. I like when human pack leader is happy, so I let Kobi follow me around like my shadow.

Human pack leader is awesome. When I first came to live with her I was scared of the other dogs that lived there, but she was always there to hold my paw and help me become more confident. I learned not be scared of the other dogs and we all became really good friends. Sometimes I got a little too confident and teased Krofti until he got grumpy. Grandpa and human pack leader usually told me off for this behaviour. Grandpa was such a wise dog and smart dog and I think the human pack leader used to copy stuff that he did as he knew everything when it came to his canine family. Grandpa was so chilled and laid back, and so polite as well. I was really sad when we went up to Scotland one time to play in the snow and Grandpa didn't come back home with us.

Human pack leader and I do a lot of running together and it is the best thing ever. We run for hours and hours, sometimes with other people, which I know she is a little uncomfortable with as I sense her tensing up and it makes me a little worried too. I try to help her by not letting her slow down, keep her running and make her stronger. She always slows down when people tell her she is “cheating”, which is silly cos I don't think other humans are cheating when they run with their best friends. I think people misunderstand my intentions and when they see me running in front they assume that I am pulling human pack leader along. I will help her in that way if she asks me to, but most of the time I am just running ahead making sure she follows me and doesn't become lazy and slow down. If I was pulling all the time she wouldn't be working as hard as she should. Anyway, I know she has run for Great Britain and Scotland (when she used to be Scottish) and I know that they only let really good runners do that.

Anyway, little shadow dog Kobi started coming running with me and human pack leader. He didn't come on the really long runs as his little body wasn't strong enough and he got tired and bored easily. He was always really easily distracted and human pack leader had to constantly tell him what to do. Sometimes he wouldn't listen and it upset me to see human pack leader get upset too. She never got cross with him, but she started smelling differently and her face went all ugly.

Spending so much time with Kobi, I learned a lot about him and his life before he came to live with us. Humans had never really liked him or spent time with him. He never had any doggy friends and sometimes he would go for days and days without food. He always smelled really bad and had little beasties living in his belly and in his fur.

He says he ran away from a very bad place and then a little girl found him and tried to help him. He doesn't remember much about the little girl, but she changed his life as he then got food every day and a bed to sleep in. Then he went to live with a man and lady and their dog for a little while. He liked the other dog but didn't trust the humans cos he thinks humans can't be trusted. They don't know how to talk dog and get all confused and angry when we don't act like humans want us to. This bit I didn't believe as I know humans can talk to us, yes they get it wrong sometimes, but most of them at least make the effort. I met the dog the Kobi spoke of and tried to teach him how to to run one time. I don't think the dog liked me as he knocked me over and tried to hurt me when I showed him my belly.

I didn't mind running with Kobi when there were no other people around, but when we were running with lots of other humans he started acting really weird. At first he wouldn't go anywhere near them and would take a huge detour to avoid. Then he became happy running as long as they were also running. If they stopped running and looked at him or if there were spectators close by, he went all funny. Then he started goading all the runners into racing him – shouting “look at me” I am faster than you!” I didn't like this as it is bad manners and human pack leader always told us to be polite when around other humans. They don't shout at us, so we shouldn't shout at them.

Same applies to all the out of control dogs that come charging up to us when we are out running. Only today one of those dogs came charging over, shouting and swearing at me. His owner did nothing to stop him and when I nose punched him, he squeaked and his owner said “serves you right”. Surely it is not my job to reprimand unruly behaviour from dogs living in other packs, is that not what their pack leader should be doing....?

Anyway, round about the time Kobi started getting really competitive with human runners, he started teasing me that human pack leader would soon prefer him over me as he was better than me. He obviously doesn't know human pack leader very well as I know that she doesn't have favourites and gives all of the pack very special one on one attention as much as she can. She sacrifices some of her runs just to make sure that we all get a little bit of what we all like as individuals, and sometimes she even tries to take all five of us running. I wish she wouldn't as she gets all stressed and grumpy when the youngsters misbehave – Oh yeah, forgot to mention my little brother. He arrived some time before Kobi started going all weird.

Kobi would walk around me teasing me and glaring at me. At first I tried to make jokes to try and get him to stop, but that only made it worse. Then I tried talking to him using really big intelligent words, tried to confuse him as I know his education was not as advanced as mine...

Thankfully the humans would usually cough at this point and Kobi would walk away muttering “get you later” under his breath. He started teasing me a lot, and got really grumpy when I returned from a long run with human pack leader. One time he tried to bite me after I had been running a marathon, and even swore at human pack leader when she scolded him. I think it was the first time I heard her actually get cross with him.

Kobi even tried taking over my identity.... He appeared in glossy magazines with my name and my achievements listed as if they were his. I chose to ignore this as I believe that it was a genuine mistake, but Kobi laughed at me and said it wasn't. I shan't tell him about the internationally published magazine that interviewed human pack leader recently – asked questions all about me and the relationship we have together when we are running. This can be my little secret until Kobi is ready to accept that we all have a very special place in human pack leader's heart....

And so, to the fateful event that happened the other day....

I think I may have bumped my head at one point as I cannot be 100% sure exactly what happened. Just before Kobi bit me for the first time he had been getting grumpy with my little brother. When this happens I usually try to get in between both of them to try and stop Kobi getting any grumpier. I remember Grandpa used to do this, and he always knew best. I used to wish I could be more like Grandpa, so chilled, relaxed and confident about what to do. I think human pack leader wanted me to be like that too, and Grandpa did try to teach me lots of things about pack behaviour, but I don't think I was the best pupil – I preferred to do things on my own or with human pack leader.

So maybe I was protecting my little brother, or maybe I did let slip to Kobi about the magazine article, whatever the reason he decided to bite me, again and again. Every time I ran away, he came after me.

After the humans had cleaned me up they let me sleep upstairs with them, little bro came too, snuggling up to me and nudging me every now and then to make sure I was OK. Human pack leader had to carry me upstairs on the second night after the attack as I forgot how to climb the stairs. I also forgot that dogs wee in the garden and the humans weren't quite quick enough to get me a potty. I think it was a little like an inside waterfall down the stairs.....

One night I couldn't even lay down as everything was so sore. The humans looked like pandas after that night, with big black patches around their eyes.

After a few days I allowed Kobi to come into the same room as me, as the humans watched over, ready to cough if he got grumpy. I knew they wouldn't let Kobi hurt me and Kobi respected this.

Then Kobi went away for a day. He looked so sad and lost when he came back, just like the day we first met him. I felt sorry for him and wasn't scared that he might hurt me again. Since then he has been trying really hard to be my friend again. Kroi and I still sleep upstairs, but when we come down in the morning he is really happy to see all of us and sometimes acts like a little puppy, which makes me laugh and I don't get tense when he punches me!

I think he is sorry for what happened and wants us to be friends again, but don't think he will apologise because boys are normally not very good at doing that....

Last night he came over when I was laying sleeping on the floor in the living room. He started annoying me and trying to walk around me. I told him to go away and play with his toys... and he did! He just went, “OK” and then walked away! Perhaps he really does want to be friends again.....

The wise words of an old dog...

2012-01-21T04:38:00.000-08:00

Life around here has gone a little bit crazy of late. It wasn't always like this. I remember how it used to be, back in the days when I was a boy. Life was simple then.

For most of my formative years it was just dad and I, then later Krofti. We all ran together, rig raced together and slept together. We used to go running with human pack leader and sometimes we even ran with Brego the horse as well - that was fun! We did everything together, never a cross word, between us. Dad took care of Krofti and I, and with human pack leader's help, we led a very content and comfortable life.

Then we moved into a house with a garden that wasn't big enough for Brego and he went to live somewhere else. We only lived in that house for a short while and then we moved into this fantastic house with a huge garden and lots of creatures to hunt.

Kez joined us soon after, round about the time that dad stopped coming on long runs with us. He got tired easily and seemed to prefer to sleep at home, waiting for us to return.

Kez was a funny little chap when he first moved in. He was scared of Krofti and didn't really want to play with me. Dad kept a watchful eye over him, but didn't interact much with him. Kez seemed to be fascinated with human pack leader and would follow her everywhere. When she went to work he would get really upset and sometimes he made terrible messes of things that were laying around – between you and I, those things should really have been tidied up, so not really Kez's fault. One time someone put the wrong address on a package and it was delivered to our house by mistake, Kez chewed all the CDs into tiny little pieces - took the humans quite a while to work out what the package was.....

Kez did make a brilliant running partner for me. At first he was a little pig headed and had to be persuaded that I knew best. I was a lead dog from the age of nine months so I did know what I was doing. He did eventually learn and was soon a fabulous training partner for me and for the human pack leader. Kez and I started doing a lot more longer and faster runs together, whilst Krofti and dad kept guard at home (they were actually sleeping but don't tell anyone that).

Kez used to got really nervous around other dogs and several tried to attack him. Human pack leader was also very nervous around other runners and so she decided to start taking us to local parkrun events where we could run amongst other people, as quickly as possible for a short while. Truth be know, we all preferred much longer distances, but it was good experience for us all and we did enjoy them.

We used to run for hours and hours together, sometimes dad and Krofti joining us on the slower and shorter runs.

Then dad stopped wanting to come on most runs, and looked sad all the time. We went up to Scotland one winter to play in the snow, and we came back without dad.

I had never known life without dad beside me, he used to protect me when I was scared and the only time I ever saw him cross was when a massive malamute dog attacked me and dad tried to get him off me. It took both him and human pack leader to stop the dog hurting us all. She was really brave and wrapped herself around the dog and pulled him off dad when the dog turned on him.

Overnight, my life and our little pack's life changed. Human pack leader's first language is English, then dog, sometimes she doesn't understand us and why we do things. Dad did and always knew what to do. If we were being naughty he would just glare at us or quietly growl, or sometimes he would even raise his paw and smack Kez and Krofti if they were getting a bit too boisterous. I don't think it hurt, it just made them stop and think.

Not long after dad left us, I started loosing interest in running really long distances with Kez. My heart was not in it any more, and Kez no longer needed my guidance, he was rapidly becoming a brilliant endurance athlete with an amazing relationship with human pack leader. They started doing longer runs together and looked so happy when they came back. I didn't mind as I still got to run every day, and at whatever pace I wanted to.

As I started enjoying the more sedentary life, another human joined the pack and he was a runner too. He likes to run on tarmac, which our paws don't like much of, so he runs on his own while human pack leader runs with us.

Now this is where it starts getting really weird, another dog suddenly appeared and he was nothing like Kroft and Kez were like as puppies. He was a lot older than they had been when they arrived, he smelled funny and his little face was so sad looking. He crept around the house, not wanting to go anywhere near human pack leader or her mate. If they looked at him he would drop to the ground as if he had been shot. He gulped his food down so quickly that it gave him terrible wind and he had no manners.

He had weird ways of doing stuff, like laying on his back playing with his own paws. But for some reason he absolutely adored Kez and would follow him around everywhere. Human pack leader was trying really hard to make friends with this puppy (whom they named Kobi), Kez helped both of them by allowing Kobi to shadow him every time he went to human pack leader for cuddles.

Kobi settled in with the dog pack very quickly, but not the human pack. He used to tell us all about the bad things that happened to him in the places where he used to live. I felt really sorry for him and on occasions I even let him share my food.

Kobi started running with Kez in little races and as his confidence grew, he started getting really competitive. He would even challenge the human runners to a race, shouting at them, which is something I personally take exception to. We were always taught as youngsters to be calm and quiet on the start line of a race, other dogs were not always polite and would sometimes act completely out of control – this upset both Kez and I as it is rude and bad manners to shout and swear at others. I think human pack leader finds it hard to get him to calm down and then she gets all stressed too. Kobi pretended that it was “just enthusiasm”....

Anyway, some time in between, another puppy came to live with us. This time he looked like Kez and Krofti had and smelled like them too. But the best bit is that he reminded me so much of dad. As time has passed he has grown more like dad, the way he acts, his attitude to life and his bond with human pack leader. I think his name is Kree, but I hear him referred to as superbrat,so maybe he has two names. He teases me a lot, tries to play “I am bigger than you” games, but I don't really take him seriously. He is never grumpy or bad tempered, just a little too boisterous... most of the time!

Kobi started spending a lot of time with superbrat, playing for hours. Sometimes it would get a bit unruly and Kez would stand between Kobi and Kree – forever the wannabe peacemaker. Kez used to also do this when Kobi annoyed Krofti a little too much. I think Kez learned this from dad, but not all the other stuff dad used to do.

Kobi then started acting funny around Kez. He would start circling him, grumbling and walking very stiffly. Kez didn't like it and would get really tense and start telling really bad jokes. When the bad jokes didn't work it started using very particular language to try and get Kobi to stop. Krofti and I used to joke about the fact that he used big words that a street kid wouldn't understand. I think this upset Kobi and made him even grumpier towards Kez.

Then Kobi started really losing the plot. He decided that he wanted human pack leader all to himself. He has never trusted another human his whole life and suddenly he became fearful that his relationship with human pack leader was in jeopardy because of Kez. Every time Kez went to her, he would try and intercept, get in the way and take all the attention for himself. Kez didn't like this and knew it was not what human pack leader wanted.

I am not sure exactly what happened last week. My hearing has now failed me and my memory is not always what it used to be. Whatever started it, the outcome was one of the most scary things I have ever known...

Kobi attacked Kez with his teeth. He completely went beserk and wouldn't stop. Three times he did it, each time Kez tried to run away he chased him and continued hurting him. There was water and mud and blood every where. I didn't know what to do and just hoped that the humans would return soon. Kobi had a really weird look on his face and he didn't look like a Siberian Husky any more – we always wondered if there was more to his ancestry than he told us. Maybe his mum had an affair or something like that.

The humans did return. They looked really upset and confused. Then they cleaned everything up and tried to calm Kez. He was completely beside himself and petrified of Kobi. He wouldn't go near any of the areas where Kobi pounced on him, shook with fear if Kobi even looked at him.

Since then Kez has spent a lot of time upstairs, refusing to stay unattended with Kobi. He has become more tolerant of being near him, but still tenses up and says he doesn't ever want to be friends with him again.

Through all of this, superbrat has been a little star. He went back and forth between Kobi and Kez, asking them if they were ok. He then decided that Kez needed company and snuggled up as closely to him as possible, licking his wounds every now and again.

Kobi went away for a day this week, and when he came back he smelled differently. He looked really sleepy and had a big plaster near where his boy bits are.

Superbrat told me not to worry, it would all be ok soon. He told me that he had a special dream one night and in this dream a big grey dog came up to him and told him that it was nearly his time. The dog told superbrat that the pack had been looking for a very special dog for a very long time, and this very special dog was him. He needed to start growing up and becoming responsible for a great many things. He told him that he did not have to fear it as the humans would help him, it would take time, but when it was done, the pack would once more be harmonious again.

I don't think superbrat quite understood his dream, but I did. Superbrat described the dog in great detail and there is only one dog that it could have been. It was dad. Dad wants Kree to be just like he was when he lived with us.

Dad also had another name, it was Kai. In many cultures the name Kai has several meanings: strong and unbreakable and love being two prominent ones, along with references to King and Emperor..... That was dad through and through, full of love, very strong, unbreakable and ruler of his pack. I know what the dream means, superbrat will one day soon also understand....

C2C: Bad day "at the office"....??

2012-01-15T13:41:00.001-08:00

Country to Capital 45 mile race, dogs allowed.... The perfect race for me, or so I thought.....

The plan was for another fun training run with Kez, the reality was a torturous 45 mile run, without Kez.

Kez was hurt badly in the days leading up to the this event, hurt in a way I would never have imagined. He might never recover from his physcological injuries. Only time will tell.....

I started the race as a person already defeated by the stresses of life. My sole objective was to get from Wendover, Buckinghamshire to the finish in Little Venice, London, without assistance from any motorised vehicle. I nearly did not make it...

To run an ultra distance event when one's mind is "not on it" is a very tough experience indeed. In the days preceeding the event my mind was distracted in dealing with issues related to my caninen training partners. Issues beyond immediate understanding by human mind.

On a very positive note, due to the circumstances, I decided to run the first few miles of the run with little puppy Kroi (pronounced Kree). Run a few miles to help him understand what it is like to run amongst humans in a proper race. Kroi absolutley and without exception excelled himself. He ran happily amongst hundreds of runners, dodging amongst those runnin slower than he wanted to. On this one occassion I was happy to run under 6 minute mile pace for a few miles. Yes, it was an ultra and 6 minute mile pace is a little bit disrespectful, but hey ho, I kinda know how to get through an ultra now....

It was fun running with Kroi, his enthusiasm infectious. We devoured those first few miles.... Even the stiles (of which Kroi has never experienced in his short life) were dealt with admiraby by the puppy on a mission..... This is a a star in the making, of that I am sure :-)

It ended all too quickly and Kroi had to be dropped off, into the support vehicle manned by Ian and Kez. All too soon I was running on my own, and struggling.

I did not want to be away from "my pack". Away from the centre of my universe. They needed me and I was trying to ignore this simple fact. Why? Because apparently I am strong and I can dig deep and drive on, even when I think some little fluffy creatures and their male protector need me (Ian - I consider you to be this person :-)).

Every time I met with Ian on my 45 mile trudge to London, I struggled with tears and had to drag myself away. So wrong, it felt so wrong.

There were occassions when I could temporarily forget my dilemma. I spoke with friends that I have met over the past year or so. Friends that also run ultras for "fun". These occassions were respite from my torture, a little break and helpful momentum for my journey towards London....

Running alongside a canal, I realised how much I appreciate the running amongst nature that make up my daily life in the Wiltshire countryside. Mostly untouched by human hand, I see creatures living as nature intended. I am not subjected to foxes suspended in canal waters or creatures floating in the water with human "rubbish" entwined amongst their limbs.

I will not prolong the pain if this run by describing in minute detail what I endured. I made a decision to not quit and was prepared to walk all the way to the finish if that was what I needed to do.

Ironically, not long after I made this decision, I fell over and badly damamaged myself. As I lay on the floor in a huge amount of pain, I saw only one thing - the finish line. DNF was not going to be listed against my name, I know only too well the consequences of such an affix....

I did continue, and I did finish. My Camelbak provided a perfect sling for my damaged elbow - who needs arms when running anyway ;-) The marshalls were brilliant in their offering of medical assistance and support. My fellow runners kept stopping to offer a word of help or support - to everyone of you, I am grateful - thank you.

Tomorrow an X-ray of my damaged elbow becons. Chipped bone the suspected culprit. Until then I will remember, remember yet another ultra that I struggled through. I need to remember these races as these are the very ones that allow me to every so often perform beyond expectations. It is preparation for those races that mean something special to me :-)

Those special races are not for a while, they can wait while I help out little pack become harmonious once again :-)

Dear Mummy: I have done a very bad thing...

2012-01-15T04:02:00.000-08:00

Dear Mummy,

I don't think my new mum and dad love me anymore. They still feed me and run with me and they still touch me and say all the nice words that used to make me happy. But I don't feel that nice warm feeling from them anymore, mum's eyes don't smile at me anymore. I used to like that feeling, it made me feel safe and happy inside. Kez wont play with me anymore, he starts crying and running away whenever I go near him or try to speak to him.

Mum, dad and Kez look so sad all the time and I think it is because I did a very bad thing....

I was playing with Kez and then suddenly I went all weird and started biting him like the wild wolves bite the baby bisons on the television. I couldn't stop it even though Kez kept trying to run away, I just chased him and did it again, and again.

Mum and dad had to put me in another room to make me stop, and then they spent hours cleaning Kez's body and trying to stop him crying. Dad had to clean the walls cos they had got covered in mud and yeuch. I had a sore nose, which they bathed - I think Kez bit me to try and get me to stop hurting him.

I don't know why I did it. I have been feeling grumpy and aggitated recently, get cross when dogs tell me they are bigger and faster than me. Kez has not wanted to run with me recently and I get cross with him cos I know Mum wants us to run together. It makes her happy.

Sometimes I remember the bad stuff that happened to me. Sometimes I want to hurt the people that treated me so badly, make sure they don't ever do the same to another dog. Maybe I got confused and thought Kez was those bad people - sometimes he tries to wind me up saying things that upset me. I know he is just teasing me, but maybe I forgot this time.

Mum and dad let Kez move upstairs, and they didn't even shout at him when he kept weeing like a girl inside the house. He forgot that proper boys do little pees against trees.

They put a big cage in the kitchen and keep putting me inside it with treats. I like the treats but I don't like when the door on the cage is closed. I want to run and play in the house and garden with all the other guys. Kroi is really nice and comes and sits beside me with his toys. Then he runs over to Kez and tells him it will be ok, tells him one day we can all be friends again.

Kroi seems so smart for such a baby. He doesn't ever get grumpy and wants to be friends with everyone. The nice lady from next door kept trying to get him to play with tennis balls when I was really grumpy the other day. He pretended that he was interested so she kept throwing more for him to chase..... He now has a collection of tennis balls that he shows Kade with great pride. I wonder if I can try his trick when mum offers biscuits...

I heard mum and dad talking the other night when everyone else was sleeping. They spoke of sending me away on a holiday for a little while, or maybe forever. They also spoke of sending me to a special place in the sky. Then they got really upset and went all quiet. I don't want to go somewhere that will upset mum and dad. I want them to be happy like they way they have made me feel. I didn't know how to smile or wag my tail before I met them. I like smiling and wagging my tail.

They also spoke of removing something from my body that would stop me being a daddy. I don't want to be a daddy that would be silly. I wouldn't be able to run and play all day as I would have to look after the kids. They have spoken of this for a long time, but mum was worried that I would not be strong enough for them to remove it. She is being very silly as I am easily the strongest dog around here. I am faster and stronger than all the dogs I have ever met.

Yesterday mum and dad took Kez and Kroi away all day and when they came back mum had a big bandage on her elbow and on her knee. Mum smelled of "run", but Kez didn't, which I don't understand as Kez always smells of "run" when he goes away with mum. I heard mum crying when she moved her arm and she couldn't take me for a walk this morning, dad did instead.

I didn't mean to hurt Kez and I don't know why I did it. He is my best friend. I just want us to be a big happy family again.

I wish you could wave a magic wand and make it all better mummy, undo what has been done and help me forget the bad stuff that ever happened to me. I don't want it to haunt me forever.

Forever yours,
Kobi

My love affair with ultra running: How it all began..

2012-01-02T10:43:00.000-08:00

As a child I had high aspirations of running 800 metres wearing the red, white and blue vest of Team GBR. This dream probably was derived from my hero worshipping of someone called Sebastian Coe, and the fact that my PE teacher at school told me I would never be any good at long distance running......

Always a very active child, with a “why walk when you can run” type of philosophy, I was dealt a very heavy blow when I was thirteen and suffered a serious injury while participating in pony club games. At the time, medical advice was that I had sprained my ankle and that the years of pain and intermittent limping was due to the fact that I was lazy and making excuses, perhaps seeking attention.

Fast forward more than twenty years, many hospital appointments, a lot of frustration, and sometimes excruciating pain and I finally found an ankle consultant that decided to perform an MRI scan.

I will never forget the day that I was told the results of the scan. The words are forever etched in my mind, “severe avascular necrosis of the talus bone”. I knew then that “necrosis” means dead, or dying, it does not mean “everything is fine and you have a nice healthy ankle”!

Based upon the evidence that the consultant had before him, I had suffered a compound fracture during the childhood accident that had caused the blood supply to be cut off from the bone joint. As it had never been treated, the bone had become diseased and rotten, resulting in many fragments of bone and cartilage floating around within the joint. The ligaments had also slackened and become detached from the bone.

The good news was that my consultant was a surgical genius! The first operation removed all the debris, drilled through the bone to cause bleeding, which in turn would become scar tissue that would be my new cartilage.

The bad news was that during my post operative check, I met with my consultant's registrar.... His words were, “you will never run again. You might manage a mile or two, but you will never run a marathon.....”. He then went on to describe my future and how I would be a cripple within 5 years and I would probably need either an ankle replacement, or ankle fusion within 10 years.

Before my tears had subsided, I had created and accepted my own challenge. Before I became this cripple, I would run one marathon, and that marathon would be THE marathon, oh yes, I would run the London Marathon!

In order to guarantee my entry to London, I discovered that I would have to run a qualifying time at another marathon. No problem, I then get to run two marathons before I settle for the sedentary life.

Long story short, I ran the New Forest Marathon in 3:34 thus guaranteeing my London entry for the following year. I then decided to run Abingdon Marathon the following month as I liked the idea of a Championship entry for London!

Unfortunately, I didn't quite manage the 3:14:59, at my first attempt, and neither did I quite manage it when I ran Luton two months later.

However, what I did discover was that marathons were relatively easy to run in about 3:30, and I always felt really good within myself, pre, during and post marathon. Far better than sitting at home being a “couch potato”.

I then stumbled across the Marlborough Downs Challenge, at 33 miles, a little bit more challenging than 26.2 and being off road, far more fun!
Marlborough Downs turned out to be far more than a challenge. It was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. It was the first time that I think I really found me, the deep down me that likes to play hide and seek a lot.

My love of ultra running had begun.

Fast forward to 2011 and I find myself a well respected ultra runner. I have represented Scotland and Great Britain in World, European and Commonwealth Championships at 100k distance. I have even raced shoulder to shoulder with Liz Yelling in a one mile race – she won!

I have the most amazing training partners, five Siberian Huskies who have all contributed directly to my speed and my endurance. I have won races with and without them. Run from 5 minute miles to 12 hour events with them. I have run all distances from 1 mile to 50 miles with one particular dog. He is called Kez and is without a doubt the most awesome ultra running athlete I have ever known. He jogs while I try to keep up, he never complains and he is always up for a run, no matter what the time of day (or night) or whatever the weather.

I also have a very supportive partner in Ian, who is always there to offer me just what I need during a race, even if I do not know myself that I need it! He also takes some brilliant photographs, which enhance memories of each race.

During the most important race of my life in 2009, my ankle finally gave up and would not allow me to run. I did manage to get to the finish of that race, almost resorting to crawling at one point! The extreme pain and complete helplessness I felt during that race forced me to accept that I could not run another ultra until I had the operation that I had been trying to ignore.... Last year I finally agreed to have that operation to reconstruct the ligaments within my ankle.

In the weeks leading up to the 2011 Ridgeway Challenge, I had been seriously considering retiring from ultra running due to several factors, but the biggest one being my ankle. I will always have a problem with my ankle, and there will almost definitely be further surgical requirements, I am not yet ready to give up what I truly love, but my competitive days are nearing their end...

I dream of fire... and fire comes to me...

2011-12-10T12:54:00.000-08:00

Some dreams I willingly share, others I keep close to my heart...

Several years ago, when Kez was a puppy and I had only just moved to the village of Winterbourne Dauntsey, I had a dream....

It was one of those dreams where one awakens not quite sure where one is... was it a dream, or did it actually happen..

At the time I was going through a tough patch in life, one of those times when you question all that is happening around you. Question everything yet find no answers...

I dreamed a very special dream, where Kez had grown from a puppy into a phenomenal ultra running husky, known to many. He had changed from a rebellious nightmare of a teenage husky into a dog that was respected by many through his attitude and his behaviour.

We (the other huskies and I) were known for helping children, helping inspire them to run and to participate in sport...

Kez had become famous and was considered so inspirational that Lord Coe believed him worthy of Olympic recognition. He asked Kez (and I as his running companion) to carry the Olympic Torch to its destination in the Olympic Stadium just before the 2012 Olympic Games....

This dream was dreamed many years ago, well before I knew that there would be an Olympic Torch Relay, consisting of 8,000 people from the United Kingdom of Great Britain..

In June this year I became aware of the torch relay. Sue Hendry from Pets Health for Animals (Trion:Z for pets) had nominated me to carry the torch with Kobi, our little rescue husky, who has his very own inspirational story to tell....

On Thursday 8th December, I received an email that I still find hard to accept. The email contained the words "congratulations" and "successful", all relating to the torch relay. I also received a very special badge in the post, and a personal comment from one of the judges on the panel. All the evidence and facts point towards the unimaginable.... On 12th July, 2012 I will hold in my hands a most precious item. I will hold the Olympic Torch, alight, on fire and on its way to London. The flame that symbolises so much of what we as a modern society are in dange of losing..... When I hold it I will hold it for many people. Each and ever one of them will be with me, in my mind and in my heart.

Every day I hear of sadness in this world. What if I could turn this opportunity into happiness...? What if I could take this opportunity to promote something that could inspire a nation, inspire a great many people and raise a huge amount of money for charity??

P.S. for those that do not believe in dreams.... When I wrote my first book, I wrote of this dream. That was in 2008, yesterday I checked...:-)

5"K"s running 5K

2011-12-03T06:07:00.000-08:00

So why has it taken me so long to write about "the dream"....
I guess because the reality was that the actual experience was one of the most challenging things that I have ever done. The memory will remain with me forever, and I will remember the smiles, the exhileration and the fact that we ran as we live. We ran as a team, good times, bad times, fun times and some downright dangerous times.

Each dog ran as it lives, personality to the fore....

We started at the back, to ensure that we did not infringe any human runner. Kobi, who has been trained to run 5 minute miles at parkrun, to race against humans, did not understand why we were going so slowly. He did not understand why he was not running with the front runners, why he was not racing them to the first bend.

Kroi did not understand what he was being asked to do. At only 6 months of age, he is only a baby. He tried to copy his idol Kobi, pulling excessively and very powerfully. He does not yet know about working, about pacing and about control...

Kade remembers parkrun in some form... he tries to race forward, and then something holds himself back - it may be his fading eyesight or that he lives in a soundless world, or it may just be that his body cannot run as it used to. Whatever the reason, his preference when running with me is to run either directly in front of me, or just by my side, with as much contact as possible. His choice of position places me in a very precarious position as I am trying not to trip over him, whilst being pulled forward by two dogs that would like to break the sound barrier....

Kroft stays on my left and just behind me, the entire duration of the run. Never rushing, but never infringing or distracting me from what I am trying to do.

Kez remains the worker that he is. He stays on the right, running as quickly or as slowly as I ask him. I necklined him to both Kroi and Kobi during various parts of the run, merely to allow some level of control.

Sometimes I am lost for words as to how best describe Kez. A dog in a million does not do him justice. This dog is more than phenomenal, a dog that can at times read my mind, and when he cannot read my mind, he can read my body and reacts in the way that he thinks I need him best. Usually he is right.....

There were times during the run when I truely felt in heaven. I asked the dogs to run forward, and they all ran together in unison. Each dog running full stride and forward at quite some speed. We slowed as I asked, and we speeded up as I asked.... These are the memories that will live with me forever - complete unison and complete bliss.....

I will remember the poo stops, the geese distractions and the steep descents. But I wont remember them with the fear or the frustration that I felt at the time. I will merely remember them as the part of the integral reality of living and breathing a challenging dream....

I will also remember the honorary member of the "K" team. His name may well begin with the letter "I", but he was there all the way... The stress before the run, the stress during the run... He took photographs and he video'd the precise points where I would have chosen had I thought deeply about it. Without him, the memories would probably have involved tears, pain and lots of mud upon my face.....

My first ever experience of mud skiing.

2011-12-02T07:15:00.000-08:00

Have you ever tried mud skiing? I have and didn’t even need any specialist ski equipment. The only problem was that I only managed to stay upright and on my feet for approximately ten seconds! Never mind, I am sure that the potential is there.

I hadn’t gone out the door that morning with the intention of trying a new extreme sport. I was simply going for a nice run, with the dogs for company.

It was a lovely spring morning, dry and bright, but underfoot conditions were a little hazardous on the off road sections due to excessive rain over the previous fortnight. As a result of the conditions, I made a spontaneous decision to take a slightly different route, one which I knew had a good solid track for most of its length. Plus it is nice to be adventurous every now and again and experience new scenery and interesting trails – for the dogs and myself.

And so the run commenced, with all four of us in joyous spirits as we merrily trotted along, down through the village and up towards the track. We ran along the track for about approximately one mile, when I noticed in the distance that there were some pig houses. For anyone not familiar with the habitat of free-range pigs, each female has its own enclosure with a little pig house to sleep in. These she-pig enclosures are divided up using electric fencing.

When I saw the pigs I must admit that I was not particularly concerned. The dogs have run past pigs on numerous occasions and had never previously shown an extreme hunting interest. Perhaps the dogs know that pigs are a formidable force to contend with. Or perhaps it is because pigs tend to just stand still and stare at passers-by and not run away (like sheep do), evoking the predator/ prey response, either way pigs are not normally a problem. I pulled the dogs close to me (just to be sure), and keeping a close eye on the movement of the sows, we continued down the track passing each enclosure.

Everything was going to plan, no problems and completely under control. We only had one sow and a large barn to pass and then there would be a hedge between the pigs and us. I didn’t even give the large barn a second thought, just assumed that it contained the weekly rations of straw and pig food. If only I had known then, what I learned that day…

Those large barns are the piglet nurseries. They are where the little baby pigs live, in huge herds probably in excess of 100.

As we ran alongside the barn, the little sleeping pigs awoke and started charging out as fast as their little trotters could move. Screaming in frenzied excitement.

The barn was situated about twelve feet back from the track we were on, with the entrance/ exit at the far side and electrical fencing forming a channel that all the pigs had to run down, parallel to the track, to access the main field.

As you can probably imagine, when the first piglet appeared the dogs went into hyper-drive. Little pigs, running and squealing on maximum level are a completely different prospect than full grown angry sows. All the piglets screamed in panic and surged towards the fence. Kai was already planning his menu for the day: bacon for breakfast; sausages for lunch; pork chops for dinner – yummee!

I tightened my grip on all of their leads and held on for dear life. No matter what, I was determined that no dog was getting anywhere near those pigs.

When Huskies are at full strength and absolutely determined it would take a phenomenally strong person to hold them back. Each dog is easily capable of pulling six times its own weight, and with me being a mere eight stones, all bets are off as to whom will win this battle of strength.

And so my mud skiing experience began, or to be more precise, pig pooh/ mud sliding experience, As the dogs edged forward I was pulled behind them in a rather inelegant fashion. I started to panic as I physically was not strong enough to hold them and urgently needed more resistance to stop them reaching the pigs. I threw myself onto the ground and started sinking into the pooh-mud, perhaps I could anchor myself into the sludge....

To no avail. Even flat on the floor the dogs continued to drag me, straight towards the electric fence.

Kade hit it first, screamed once and then was through to the other side, collar partially stuck on the wire. I managed to lock Krofti's lead to slow him down getting through to the other side.

And then I saw a lifeline....

A tree trunk was partially protruding from the mud, I reached if and wrapped leads and body around it. I just had to hold on for a few more minutes. Just until the last piglet had emerged.

I closed my eyes and prayed. I would not say that I was a religious person, but I prayed to someone and my prays were answered. The last piggy emerged and ran safely to the centre of the field.

I stayed down for a few minutes until the dogs had settled a little, stopped their screaming. I pulled myself from the mud/ pig pooh sludge and unwrapped Kade from the electric fence. The fence was completely destroyed, but at least no piglet life was lost. And.... I had no broken bones, just very bruised and battered and very,very smelly. I am sure as I looked across to all the pigs (very attentive audience, adults and all) that they were all laughing through their little piggy snouts.

It was several months until I was able to run past that field, even longer until I could pass the Farmer's house!! I wonder if he ever found out how his fence was destroyed. Maybe one day when I am famous..... I will confess!!

P.S. I must admit, I did buy sausages for the dog's dinner that evening!!
P.P.S. It did strengthen my desire to one day try proper skiing. Perhaps that could be classed as Dream Number 5....

Sometimes I get it wrong....

2011-11-23T12:53:00.000-08:00

There exists a world where teleportation does not require a teleportation device. Wormholes can open and close in the blink of an eye....

I entered abruptly on day 1, thrown into a relentless river – fast slowing, torrential rapids. I tried to keep afloat, grabbing rocks and branches, anything to keep my head above water. But I kept getting swept further and further downstream. Dragged down from below and pushed from above.

I continued down this river for most of day 2. Sometimes able to gasp some breaths of air, mostly being smothered by the water, dragged further under and away from the surface. Away from life…

On day 3 I reached the sea. I saw no surface of this sea, only the dark murky depths of the ocean. I sank lower and lower into its depths. It was welcome relief when I finally reached the bottom.

On day 4 some magical force entered the ocean and caught me in its wake. It helped guide me to the surface of the ocean and the pushed me along to the sea-shores.

On day 5 I dragged my aching body from the ocean and took my first steps onto dry land. I started walking along the beaches.

On day 6 I started running. Running across the great deserts, the grass plains and through the forests and the moor lands.

On day 7 I will take to the sky. I will spread my wings and fly. Fly over the grasslands that I have run upon, over the beaches that I have walked upon. I will fly over the ocean that had once held me captive at the bottom, and over the raging, torrential river.

I will continue flying until I reached the foot of the mountains. This is where I will rest for a while.

One day I will climb these mountains. It might take a lifetime to reach the tops of these mountains. As long as it takes is as long as it will be....

I used to think that when I reached the top there would be someone waiting for me. Someone with whom I could totally be me, share me. And I share them. It would no longer be my world alone. It would be our world.

I got that wrong, I did not need to reach the top of that mountain to find that person. And even more amazingly along the way I found others that wanted to be a part of my world too. It is not my world alone, or to share with only one person.

And it is a world where magic really does exist and can be created by the mere use of words.....

The 5k dream... better than any time or position aspiration...

2011-11-21T13:06:00.000-08:00

I am running out of time for one dream.... I dream of running a 5k race with all five huskies - the 5“K”s running together in a 5K.

The original plan was to achieve this dream run in celebration of Kez winning his 50th parkrun. I now fear that the extra weeks wait to reach this goal will prove too much for Kade.

Kade had another fit last weekend, his mind and body rapidly declining. He can still run, and indeed he loves to run, sometimes he seems to forget where he is in life and runs forward with such enthusiasm. At these times I remember him as the Kade of days gone by.

Next Saturday at Andover parkrun, I am going to make this dream happen..... Kade, Kroft, Kez, Kobi and Kroi will all join me on the start line of a 5k run.

There will be a 6th “K”, helping guide us round the course. Kai, forever present in my heart and mind, will be there. Without him, four of those dogs would not exist and I would not be the person that I am today.

I went for a practise run with all the “K”s this morning. It is certainly challenging to keep them running together as a team. The puppy and teenager wanting to race each other, the old boys wanting to doddle at the back and Kez happy to do whatever his “mum” wants!

When I run all the team together, they are so happy. Each dog fulfilling a different purpose within the team, some more productive than others! They are a pack, a very happy pack that loves to run and loves to be together. And I love the fact that I can give that to them.

It is going to be a very entertaining 3.1 mile run, a memory that I will treasure forever....

The humbling reality... when one thinks like a dog....

2011-11-20T07:28:00.000-08:00

I had a wake up call yesterday. I struggled badly during a short race. Running 11k with dogs is normally a relatively easy run. I don't normally walk up hills and I don't normally end up close to tears running down hills. In fear of my life perhaps, but not an overwhelming fear of not being in control of two dogs securely attached to me. More importantly, I did not enjoy the run, did not enjoy my special time with Kez and Kobi, and it was that fact that “woke me up”...

For the purposes of this particular wake up call, I am choosing to ignore the fact that my body is presently fighting infection and I have two damaged ankles - those issues can be analysed later!

The plan was to run the first lap with Kez, and the second lap with both dogs. Dog runners had a two minute delayed start behind non dog runners and I knew that we would soon catch up and overtake most of the other runners. Kez confidently runs amongst other runners, weaving in and out as necessary, fully respective of every runner and will always run wide to ensure no contact. Kobi needs to practise his weaving a little more, and so I left him with Ian as Kez and I started the race.

I never start from the front, for some reason I always get to the start line and think there are many faster runners than us there and it is best if I respect them and stay behind. This then poses a few problems for Kez as he does not like to overtake other dogs. He has been attacked and lunged at on numerous occasions by dogs running with humans and now fears every dog will try to infringe him in some way. He waits until there is a huge gap and even then runs very wide and at full speed!!

Lesson 1: Next race, we start from the front!

The first lap went well, I was puffing more than normal, Kez's behaviour was impeccable. Fellow runners were very supportive, most complimenting Kez as he glided along while his runner huffed and puffed! Fantastic course, winding through glorious woodland littered with freshly fallen leaves – hiding a few tree roots, one had to be diligent where feet were placed.

Approaching the start of the second lap, I did consider stopping, it was hurting too much. However, I was keen to let Kobi have a run and thought that his enthusiasm would provide the energy that my body and mind were missing.....

Ian handed him to me and we were off.... almost immediately way off course and into the crowd. Whoops. Fortunately Kez soon guided Kobi back onto the racing route.

Lesson 2: Try and find some way to explain to a husky, how “relay running” for dogs is supposed to work!

Kobi has been absolutely amazing at recent parkrun events, racing them from the gun. On this day that was not happening, he was all over the place, jumping on Kez and running from side to side along the course. Speeding up every now and again, his pace was very erratic. Kez was obviously unsettled and kept on pulling over to the right hand side (his preferred racing route). This resulted in a constant battle between both dogs and me receiving no assistance whatsoever as all their pulling power was against each other.

I reminded myself of Kobi's background, tried to justify to myself that his behaviour was due to his upbringing and the fact that he was not from a “working” Siberian Husky blood line. “He wasn't a team player and could not run in partnership with another dog”,I thought. Running on his own he is fine, as long as canine support is nearby as he is still very fearful of most humans.

At no point during the race did I try and view the situation from his perspective....

The only human that he fully trusts and his best friend (and love rival) run away into the distance, leaving him behind with someone that he is still not 100% confident. He is then left somewhere that he has never been before surrounded by dozens of strange people and strange sights, sounds and smells. Humans shouting and probably scaring him unintentionally.

Suddenly I appear he is attached to both Kez and I and we dash off, without even stopping for a sniff from Kez, or a pat from me.

Poor little boy must have been so confused. He knows what to do at parkrun events because he has learned that they are safe and he knows what is expected of him.

Lesson 3: Treat the next race just like a parkrun, run from the start with both Kobi and Kez.

Lesson 4: Spend time allowing Kobi to become accustomed to a neckline and working in a team – he has not been trained as a sled dog the way our other huskies have, it does not mean that he cannot become one if shown what is expected.

Back to the race..... I decided to keep running as best we could, no reason to have DNF against my name. Kobi was fabulous on the up hill sections, speeding up immediately on command, but on the down hills he would not listen to me. I was forever shouting “steady, steady” each time getting louder and more desperate as he refused to listen. He did slow down, but was still pulling on the precarious descents of some sections of the route. I feared for my ankles and worried that soon I would be the laughing stock of fellow runners as I went head over heels....

I even tried pleading with Kobi, my voice getting desperate “please Kobi, will you please stay close!!” And suddenly he stopped, as did Kez and both actually turned their heads around and looked at me... They then proceeded down the hill in a very controlled and comfortable way. Did they finally understand my “plea”s...? Did they know I was in danger...?

No, the reality was that I had finally used the very words that they are trained to respond to. “Stay close” is what I use when I want them to stop pulling completely, i.e. come to heel. I use “steady” when I just want a little ease up on pulling power. It took me until almost the last hill to realise what I was doing wrong!! When I run Kez on his own, he knows what is required of him and I have taken this for granted during all our races together. Yesterday's race was the first time I had run Kobi on a hilly course requiring composure, poor little boy was only doing what I had trained him to do, he didn't understand why I was getting so upset.

Lesson 5: always remember the hours of training. The precise words and phrases used every day. If they don't respond, immediately ask why not, whilst remembering that squirrels will always overrule any human relayed instruction!!

We got to the finish of the 11k, huskies with beaming smiles across their faces, me in a grump because I decided not run another 5k (there was a16k distance option), which was definitely the correct decision!

I learned some very valuable lessons during this race, lessons I am already learning from and put into practise today. I am also changing all our training – “all” being me, and five huskies. We all have different goals, objectives and needs. The huskies' basic needs are top priority, it just so happens that I can combine them to help me meet my objectives, or rather, help me achieve my dreams.

Tribute to the original king of canicross....

2011-11-13T04:34:00.000-08:00

I first met Kade the day he entered this world. Months of planning and preparation, he was the first born son of Kai. Nearly 13 years later, and after a lifetime of amazing experiences, I know that our time together is almost at its end.

I want to speak of him, and his life, whilst I can still touch him and cuddle him, a constant reminder of the amazing dog that he is.

I thought he was leaving me this morning, but he is still here and I am more than happy for him to break the rules and sleep on our bed as I reminisce...

I remember exactly where I was when I received the telephone call announcing his arrival. A little black and white puppy, destined to share our lives. Named after his father, “Wildenfree Blues KaisKade” he arrived on 30th January 1999.

When he was of age to leave his mum, Kai took on his paternal role and protected his little boy throughout their lives together. If Kade cried or was upset, Kai was instantly by his side, reassuring him. The bond between them was amazing and when it was cruelly broken in 2009, Kade mourned his loss as much as me. It was heart wrenching to hear his mournful howls in the early morning. We cried together and did our best to continue in a life with a huge void.

Kade has always been a very particular dog, with quirky little habbits. Selecting toys and placing them into different little piles, removing food from his bowl and rearranging it on the floor to then choose what he wanted to eat first. One time he carefully selected all the biscuits in his bowl, eating around the chunks of cheese that I had placed there. Thinking that he did not like the cheese, I removed it and gave it to Kai, much to Kade's surprise – I later discovered that this little dog actually preferred to save his favourite foods until last!

Kade as a youngster was a never ending ball of energy. The dog that never slept, he was always doing something. A very active mind and body, he was easily the most intelligent of all the huskies I have shared my life with. I would test him with little problems and be amazed to see him actually thinking out a solution. He was also a phenomenal hunter and Hampshire's mouse and rat population was controlled in a ruthless manner....

Growing up around horses, he had full respect for them. I would take Kai with me when out hacking and Kade would wait behind at the stables, playing with the little Falabella Stallion. He would also play with Friday my Welsh x Arab. He would chase Friday and then Friday would turn round and chase him – it was fabulous to watch their high speed chases! When Friday passed onto the next world, he took on the role of playmate for Brego, the baby Spanish Purebred, although Brego was not quite as keen to share his sugarbeet!

In my days of Husky racing (on wheeled rigs) he excelled himself, when at only nine months of age, he led a three dog team round his first ever “R” class at an ABSA event. He continued this when he was old enough to compete in the proper racing classes. We were never super fast as a sled dog team, but we did sneak a few wins on technical courses!

With Kade at the front of the team, I would confidently hitch up six huskies to the front of my mountain bike, knowing that I could trust him 100%.

He has taught all the other huskies how to lead from the front. When to take turns, speed up, overtake and ignore distractions. Numerous dogs have been hitched up to Kade on rig, bike and human – each time Kade showing the other dog what is required.

When the UK discovered the sport of Canicross, Kade and I were already prepared. Having run thousands of miles together, we took to racing like a duck takes to water.

We ran most Canix races in the early days, Kade earning a reputation which many original UK canicrossers still remember to this day...

He also managed a once in a lifetime opportunity to travel to Belgium for the 2010 European Canicross Championships. Running with Ian, he led the way round the course, smiles upon both their faces. Ian perhaps having to work a little harder as Kade was determined to enjoy rather than race!

We started running parkruns to help Kez and I – both of us become anxious running around other dogs and people. Kade would help guide us round parkruns, controlling the puppy enthusiasm of Kez and ensuring we got the most from our speed training sessions!

Kade no longer cares for the speed session element of running, and prefers to trot around with children – both husky and child with big beaming smiles upon their faces.

He also helped Kobi (our rescue puppy) during his early days of parkrunning. Guided him round people, helped teach him that not all humans are bad and that it can be fun running with them. Kobi took it a little further and now believes that he has to beat all humans when racing them!

Kez, Kobi and I would never have been so successful had it not been for Kade. He helped me become an international athlete, triumphing against the odds. It almost seems fitting that he will probably leave me in the year that I retire. He has done his job very well and I am so proud of him.

His body is now struggling, but his desire to run remains. He jogs for a little bit and then stops, then suddenly he will dash forward as if remembering what he used to do – he becomes a puppy again and for a few seconds I can smile and dream that we are not where we are.

It was not only in the world of running that Kade excelled. In a past life we used to show very successfully. He won numerous awards including two Challenge Certificates, Reserve Best in Show and well as Best Puppy in Show at many open events. A part of me wishes that I had continued the quest for the third CC, but in my heart he will always be a Champion and that is what really matters.

Whatever happens between now and October 2012, Kade will be with me when I run in the European Canicross Championships. His physical strength will not be helping guide me round the course, but his legacy will be and his spirit will be with me all the way round. If I achieve the dream, I will have achieved it through him.

And when I hang up my racing trainers for good next year, I will hang Kade's collar beside them.

Helping Britain Glow: Doggie JOGLE

2011-11-01T15:22:00.000-07:00

Idea evolution....

The original idea was to organise a continuous journey from John O'Groats to Land's End, with a relay team of dog runners. The logistics and organisation would be phenomenal, requiring a huge amount of time and effort. Shortage of time is the reason why I am moving onto Plan B (Plan A can be placed “on hold” for now...).

“I” is also going to become “we” as alone I could not make this work!

Plan B: Helping Britain to Glow, in so many ways.

Running is good for humans, running is good for dogs, combine the two and you have happy healthy and glowing human and canine. Next year is a very special year, an Olympic year where all the World's best athletes are coming to the United Kingdom of Great Britain. Coming to our very land that we walk and run on every day.

I find this thought very inspirational, and remember the dreams I had as a child. I still believe in dreams and will never give up on the ones that are truly important.

Helping more and more people to enjoy the benefits of running and enjoy the great British countryside is something that many of us strive to do. Every day at least one of you speaks to another person about running or about your dog. How many of them have gone on to try running themselves and then in return spread the word to others. Just like a little happy virus, it spreads quickly and easily, although for some it does prove more of a challenge than others.

Whether you are an accomplished runner, or someone about to start running for the first ever time, you can all help realise the challenge that is Plan B of the Doggie JOGLE.

The challenge will commence on the 1st January 2012. The primary objective is to run 868 miles between John O'Groats and Land's end. However, it does not need to be one continuous, unbroken journey, it will be an accumulation of everyone's miles, metres or centimetres, run all over Great Britain. Ideally at least one run will be done in every county or region of the UK.

Thanks to the assistance of some very smart IT people (who are also runners), there will be a special programme where people can log the miles that they run. This programme will be linked to a map of the UK and every time a distance is logged, the map will light up in the region where the run was done.

The second objective of this challenge will be to have all areas on the map lit - Britain will be glowing!

There are already many dedicated groups of canicross runners all around the country – those miles must add up....

If you go on holiday, you can pop out for a little run – great opportunity for planning some really interesting holidays in obscure locations.....

Even people that do not own dogs can participate – you can borrow a friend's dog, or perhaps even visit your local dog rescue centre and take a resident for a little walk. You only have to jog a little bit to include it in this challenge.

Families can participate. School children can take part, encouraging sport amongst the future generation, help inspire those that will one day shape our nation in so many ways.

Huskies Running can also go on tour – we have 5 dogs that can all be made available to visit and to run in most parts of the UK. We will happily share them with anyone that would like to try canicross with a fully trained husky (with the exception of the puppy who we cannot claim to be “fully trained”).

So how about it? All you have to do is put your trainers on, pop out the door with your dog and then share your run with a nation...... I wonder which county will glow most....

What is my motivation for doing this? Simple, making dreams happen. This is a free event open to everyone. Yes, I would like to raise money for charity and think there are opportunities here to do that. My reward will be knowing that all over the UK, happy humans and dogs are having fun :-)

If any of you are non UK resident and would like to take part in a similar challenge, let us know and we can include your country/ area of preference – no limits (although we might be struggling a little to make the moon glow...)

Running with dogs: the idea

2011-10-29T12:33:00.000-07:00

Huskies Running with Friends: The Idea

There are many things that I am not very good at..... One thing that I am good at is running with dogs. In particular I am very good at running with huskies. I have run thousands of miles with huskies, covered all terrain imaginable, in all weathers and at all times of day and night.

I have trained puppies and a rescue dog to run safely around human athletes, from sub 5 minute miles to 50 miles mountain events.

I fully intend to still be running with dogs until the day I can finally run no more – if I was to believe some doctors, that was 5 years ago!!

I love seeing people learning to run and learning to run with their doggy buddies. People that would never have previously considered running are now running regularly and loving it!

When I first started running with dogs it was not common. I remember a 2-day husky rally in Exeter many years ago when my 3 dog team decided that they did not want to run on the second day. Rather than concede defeat, I unhitched them from the rig and ran with them for the full duration of the course. If only I had pulled the rig with me, then I would have finished second rather than “disqualified”! I wont embarrass others by telling you how many husky/rig combinations that I overtook on that day....!!

I have been thinking for a long time about organising a “running with dogs” event for charity. I think now is the time to put my thoughts into action...

I have two train of thoughts, one event where people and dogs race against each other over a predetermined distance.

The other idea is a little bit more special....

A team of dog running people to run the full distance of Scotland and England combined, i,e, John O'Groats to Lands' End. By road this is 868, if we were running with dogs it would be much further as it would have to be via footpaths bridleways etc.

All over Great Britain there are groups of people that run with dogs, they could all play a part in this challenge. It could be staged over several weeks or even several months. It could be like the Olympic Torch relay, bringing communities together in the quest to get from one end of the UK to the other. People could run 1 mile or 100 miles, depending on their ability and availability.

I would love to raise loads of money for charity. Every day I hear of horrendous suffering that dogs endure at the hands of humans. I cannot rescue every dog, but I would like to make a difference. I think an idea like this could capture the imagination of our nation and hopefully people would reach deep into their pockets in support.

So, where do I go from here?

I am already starting to plan the “racing” event, which will be in one location, details of which I will start publicising when I have confirmed them.

The “special” event, running from Scotland to England, will be harder to plan and will need a lot of help and support. If you like the idea, please let me know. If you have any suggestions, please let me know. I know that we can make this happen, but it will require a huge team effort.

One thing I am not very good at is asking for help. Sometimes I need to swallow my pride and ask...

Anyone think they want to be involved in either of my ideas? Matters not how little or how big you want to help/get involved. Just let me know if you “like” the idea!! Details can be sorted later...

Why I will never beat him....

2011-10-24T13:54:00.000-07:00

Greensand Marathon. I had been forewarned that it was a very tough marathon. “One to avoid” the fast marathon people that I know had advised.....

Challenging appeals to me, tough I like, hills I like, and off road I love. Throw in the opportunity to run with my little training buddy Kez and it is a win, win situation.

Rob the race director had very kindly given me special permission to run with Kez, based upon his reputation and the offer of references from Race directors that have been impressed with his behaviour in their races. Kez was the doggy ambassador for the day. A position that ultimately he excelled in and even earned a few more admirers along the way...

It is always a privilege to run amongst human runners with a dog, in a “human race”. I have been doing this for all of my running career and it never ceases to amaze me how respectful most runners are of my doggy athletes. The dogs in return respect every human runner and will go completely out of their way to ensure that they do not make contact with any runner – to the point of dragging me into hedges if required!

Greensand Marathon is indeed a very tough marathon, but at this moment in time, it goes down in history as my most favourite (out of about 60 ish). The most physically demanding marathon I have run, but definitely the most emotionally rewarding.

The course is near perfect. Lots of hills, some that seem to go on forever, amazing views and challenging underfoot conditions. Spraining my ankle in the days leading up to the race ensured that I knew all about the ground conditions!

The race started with a rendition of Jerusalem, sung with great gusto from most runners – I must confess to miming as my voice should never be heard above a whisper....

Singing over, the race began with a nice hill climb into the woods, lots of huffing and puffing and several minutes later I realised that I would be struggling physically for most of the 26.2 miles. In true Pooh Bear style, I “ran out of run” after only one mile! There was still another 12.1 miles out and then 13.1 back again (on the same course) to go. Oops!

Being an experienced ultra runner, I know it is not really a problem if I am tired and still have 25 miles to go. Jelly babies, friendly runners and marshals, beautiful scenery and some inspirational thoughts will provide the energy needed to ensure that I get to the finish. Plus the fact that I am running beside the most natural athlete that I know. Kez never complains, and never asks for more than just kind words and water during a marathon. He will sometimes eat a little flapjack, piece of Freddo or the head of a jelly baby, but most times he just looks at me as if to say “why have we stopped”.

I also know that Kez will only “assist” me if I make the effort to run myself. He is a dog with a phenomenal working attitude – but he does expect me to play my part in the team. His comfortable pace is under 7 minute miling, which no way was I going to achieve on such a tough course. I resorted to very slow jogging, which ensured that he did not get too hot as the weather was surprisingly warm. He always stays in front of me, just doesn't offer me a “helping hand” up the hills. Although he did offer some assistance on some dodgy down hill sections – I think that was his sense of humour kicking in.

The only time Kez does not run in front of me is on very steep and dangerous mountain courses and when he is not happy. If he does this (when not running down a mountain), then I stop and find out why he is unhappy – this is why I will never beat him because he will always finish in front of me doing the job that his husky mind is programmed to do.

Kez did do something phenomenal during the race that I have yet to fully comprehend. He tried to go down a track that was quite obviously not part of the course. This is something he has never done before. He will always look at ever turn off from a main track as we run, but never actually try to follow it unless I give him the command to do so. He did the same thing on the return journey, at the same, precise point......

(Later that evening, Ian compared the trace from my Garmin with the trace of his Garmin from an LDWA event that we ran together (with Kez) earlier in the year. The routes crossed at one point only – that point was precisely where Kez questioned my judgement on the trail we were running on. Somehow he knew.....??)

The race was an absolute awesome experience. From start to finish I was astounded by the level of support provided to both Kez and I. Runners overtook us and spoke to Kez, as did runners that we overtook. Even the leading runners heading back towards us on the out and back course took time out from their race to shout words of encouragement to Kez.

All the marshals were super friendly – I thank you all for your time and words! Very frequent water stations ensured that I got to stop and talk to a great number of people. Next time I must remember that it is not necessary to carry three litres of liquid on a well supported route – good training I guess, but my shoulders really hurt today.

Kez was presented with his very own medal at the finish. A perfect award for a little champion dog. I was delighted with my t-shirt and running cap. There were even carrots and jaffa cakes as a finishing treat, plus a fry up breakfast - thank you to the kind lady who went into the canteen for husky sausages – Kez enjoyed them very much.

I hope we can return next year, and hopefully the temperature will be better for a husky with a thick fur coat.

Thank you Rob and Trionium – you made a husky and a human runner very happy.

The Little Angel Dog

2011-10-22T06:10:00.000-07:00

Dear Mummy,

When I first started writing to you one year ago, I was cold, hungry and lost. I had run away from the “bad place” and was trying to find you. I hope one day I will find you as I have so much to tell.

So much has happened in a year. I have lived in many different homes and had many different names. I have met some really nice people and some very bad people.

I like where I am now, I think it is my forever home.

I have nice food every single day and I get to go out exploring the countryside every day. I am not allowed to run free when I am in the countryside, but I do not mind as I am allowed to play freely in a very large garden where lots of little mice and slow worms play chase with me. I can even pick my own raspberries and apples from the trees.

No one hurts me any more or gets cross when I try to talk or try to play. They don't lock me outside or ever tie me up. There is a little flappy door thing that I use to get from house to garden. It took me a very long time to not be scared of the flappy thing as it reminded me of when people hurt me when I tried to go through the door.

I have found a human mummy and daddy – they don't have fur like you, but they give me lots of love and attention and help me when I get scared.

They already had three fur kids when I first arrived at their home and recently they have got another little one – he is going to be BIG trouble.....

All the other fur kids were really nice to me when I arrived. Two of them are very old, and I know to respect them, but sometimes I tease Krofti and he pretends that he gets really grumpy. I also tease Kez and he pretends that he is a motor bike. I copy him - I sound like a Harley and he sounds like a Honda...

The new little fur kid is my best friend and I am showing him how to behave like a grown up. He thinks it is funny and tries to bite my ears and steal my food a little too much. I had to tell him to stop the other day and he ran and told human mummy and daddy. They smiled at me and told me I was a good boy, which I think annoyed the little fur kid because he thinks he has special rights as he is so cute. He even stole bananas and tried to hide the banana skins in my bed.

Sometimes people scare me and remind me of the bad people that didn't like me. If I get scared I ask my human mummy for help and she always seems to know what to do to make me feel better.

My human mummy and daddy run a lot and take me running with them. It was very hard at first as my body had suffered a lot from not having proper food as a baby and I could only run short distances. I would get tired quickly and have to stop and lie down.

Running makes my human mummy happy and I want to help make her happy. I have been trying very hard and sometimes I run round and round the garden to make my legs stronger and faster. I have watched the human athletes on the television and if it works for them, it can work for me.

Every Saturday Kez and I go with the humans to a local park where we get to run with lots of other people. I like running with other people as they help me go faster, but human mummy is not quite fast enough and slows me down. I think she should try running round and round the garden every day then she would be able to keep up with me.

I really like Saturday mornings as human mummy is so happy when we run and even happier when we finish. She always hugs me when we stop, and today she started crying. I don't think she was sad as she was smiling at the same time. She told me I was a very special little angel dog and she was so happy to have found me. She spoke of PBs, but I don't know what they are.

I like that she calls me an angel dog as it reminds me of you mum. You were my real life guardian angel for such a short time when I was little. Throughout the sad and bad times of my life I always thought of you and pretended you were near me, watching over me.

If I ever find you, you can come and live in this special house where the furry children and humans live a very happy life. There is a spare bunk bed for you.....

Always in my thoughts,
Kobi “the little angel dog”.

The Secret Training Diary of.....?

2011-10-17T13:10:00.000-07:00

We are about to launch the Huskies Running website. The objective of this site is very simple – we want to share with people our huskies, running and general information and training advice based upon our experiences. We will also be offering competitions, with prizes for a wee bit of fun!

For those of you that do not know us, Huskies Running consist of Ian, Sandra and five huskies ranging in ages from 5 months to nearly 13 years old. The huskies have become affectionately known as “the K pack” as their names all begin with the letter “K” - Kade, Krofti, Kez, Kobi & Kroi “Kree”.

Both Ian and Sandra are accomplished athletes. Sandra has represented Scotland and Great Britain in World, European and Commonwealth Ultra Running Championships. Ian has a marathon PB of 2:39, and is in training to run from John O' Groats to Land's End in 2012.

Sandra has become an international athlete as a result of some fabulous training partners, our Siberian Huskies. Together they run from sub 5 minute miles to 50 mile mountain races, each husky playing an integral part in her quest to be a better runner and better person.

Our older dogs regularly run with children, to help encourage and motivate both child and husky!

We compete in both the CaniX UK canicross championship and the Canicross Trailrunners events where canicross runners are permitted to compete in traditional human running races.

Feel free to read through any items on this blog. There are both dog and non dog related running articles.

One of the features that we would like to share on the Huskies Running website is the training diary of one member of the team. This is where we need your help as to which one would be most beneficial to others....

Option 1: Our rescue husky, Kobi and his quest to run 15:45 for 5k, building towards next year’s European Canicross Championship.

Option 2: Baby puppy Kroi , his introduction to the world of canicross and his quest to become an ultra running dog, like his big brother Kez.

The little lost dog that found himself....

2011-10-13T13:24:00.000-07:00

When we first met Kobi, I tried to look into his eyes to see what lived inside the body that had suffered so badly at the hands of humans. A blank expression was all that met with my gaze, he would not make eye contact, and would not even try to focus on his environment. Absolutely no interest in humans whatsoever. His little body carried him around, but his vacant expression showed no life at all. I had a horrid sick feeling in my stomach when I envisaged what might have happened to him in his short life. He was a very young little person that looked as if he had already given up on life....

We knew it would be a huge challenge to bring a sparkle into his eyes. We had space in our pack for another dog, and we wanted to give a “rescue” dog a new life. A life that would include being part of an amazing pack, eating fabulous food, huge amounts of exercise, even his very own bunk bed!

I felt that there was something very special inside his little shell, one of those "gut feelings" I have earned a reputation for - as evidence all around me was to the contrary. I believed that I could help him and that in some way he would help me....

Kobi was completely petrified of human beings. Petrified to the point of freezing, his mind and body completely shutting down if a human went near him. When he went into this traumatised state, one could have done anything to him and I don't think he would have shown any reaction. Dogs he understood and was fine with, humans he did not trust and did not want to have anything to do with.

He was extremely underweight, covered in fleas and full of worms when first handed into the dog rescue. Apparently he was found on the streets, but it was generally felt by the rescue centre the people that "found him" were actually his owners. His original foster owners had performed a wonderful job of cleaning him, feeding and trying to connect with him. He quickly gained weight while living with them, but would not interact with them, preferring to spend most of each day in a cage, even though the door was wide open.

When we brought him home he quickly settled into his cage, it was his little safe haven, which we respected and would not infringe upon "his space". When he did come out of his cage if either Ian or myself went within 10 feet of him he bolted into another room. We had to wait until he was in a corner before we could clip a lead onto his collar, just to take him a walk. If we looked at him he would cower and drop to the floor.

We considered that he might be very ill or possibly be handicapped in some way. He had not pain responses and his reactions (or rather lack of) to certain stimuli lead us to consider this train of thought.

He seemed fascinated with his own paws as they moved, almost as if they were a live animal that he could chase. It looked like he did not realise they were his own. Baby puppies I can understand show this type of behaviour, as they learn about themselves and their bodies, but at possibly ten months he appeared too old for this immature behaviour.

He never refused any food offered to him, did not chew it, just gulped it down as fast as possible, probably fearing that it would be his last meal for a long while. And his sensitive little tummy took a very long time to heal.

One year has now almost passed since Kobi joined our family. We have all learned a lot in that time and been through a very emotional, roller coaster journey.

Kobi loves to run and loves to race against others, both human and dogs alike. I have run with many very good dogs during my 15 years of cani-crossing, but this little guy offers me something new, and something very special indeed.

He has appeared in glossy magazines, been offered sponsorship, raced against Olympic athletes and has even been nominated to help carry the Olympic Torch next year.

But more importantly, this little boy is happy. Every day he eats good food, runs across beautiful countryside, and every day he smiles. He appears grateful for what he now has, but the truth is that I am the one that is truly blessed to have him as a running partner.

A challenge of Ridgeway proportions...

2011-09-02T01:15:00.000-07:00

The Ridgeway Challenge
And what a challenge it was....

I have never prepared as well for a race as I did for the Ridgeway Challenge - an 85 mile (although some say it is actually 87 miles..?) race from Ivinghoe Beacon in Buckinghamshire, to Avebury in Wiltshire. Organised by the Trail Running Asociation, it has become one of Britain's prestigious long distance trail races and offers the title of UK Ultra Trail Running Champion to the worthy male and female winners. All one has to do is get to Avebury via Britain's oldest road (over 5,000 years old!) before all the other runners....

My preparation for this race included running parts of the trail - something I have never previously done. Guided by Ian, we ran part of the second half that we knew I would be running in darkness during the actual race. Worries about me getting lost in the middle of nowhere in the early hours of the morning, ensured that Ian "made me" do it, for which I am extremely grateful - sometimes he does know best!!

Beautiful sunshine and a cold wind greeted us as we gathered at the start, fabulous views surrounding us. Heavy rain in the week preceding this race would undoubtably come to haunt me later on, but as we ran down the first hill on good trail surface, I was glad of my decision to wear road trainers. But was regretting my decision to remove my arm warmers as it was a little bit chilly! Never mind, run faster and I would soon warm up.

The first section of the Ridgeway is on fabulous rolling grassland hills, amazing views all around. I had been forewarned that (in some people's opinion) the first half of the Ridgeway is the prettiest, and I was determined to make the most of this by absorbing all the sights, sounds and smells of the countryside before the cover of darkness removed at least one of those senses...

Everyone has different reasons for running. My reasons are (to me) quite simple. It gives me freedom. Freedom from the constraints and stresses of work, life and "stuff" in general. It gives me a chance to dig deep into my mind, something I cannot always do when surrounded by distractions. I can inspire myself and I can find what I regard as the true me. I do enjoy meeting new new people and sharing stories with them during part of my runs, but it is never long before I crave the solitude of just me, just me and the amazing natural beauty of the British countryside.

During the early stages of any ultra, there are always people close by and it was good to catch up with old friends and make new friends during this race, but it wasn't long until I craved the solo road. My ankle was causing me intense pain as we ran through Wendover Wood, shortly before the first Checkpoint at Wellhead Farm, pain makes me grumpy and not very sociable!

At the Checkpoint, I was instantly remined how amazing volunteers are. Giving up their time to cater for all the runners' needs, always a smile and a cheery thought to share. This was to be the theme for all of the Checkpoints throughout the duration of the race and I think there was a little competition going on for the accolade of "friendliest volunteer of the day". To me there was no clear favourite, but Mr Hot Cross Bun, Mrs Scottish Lady, Mrs Hot Dog Lady, and Mr Ever so Cheery by the campfire, deserve a special mention. You all helped give me the strength to continue the race when my mind was telling me to stop! I offer my thanks and gratitude to all of you and your friends - your spirits gave me strength and a "will" that I thought I had lost!

My memories of the sights between checkpoints 1 and 3 are very vague. Struggling to manage the pain in my ankle, I was switching off from all that was around me, digging deep trying to find some strength to keep running. One foot in front of one another, clock up the miles and just try to get to at least halfway before I quit. I remember going up a hill that was runnable just after Wendover, Coomb Hill I believe was its name. It was at this point that I overtook the leading female runner, something alien to me as I am traditionally a very slow starter in ultra races, and have never been at the front of a race before the halfway point.

The Ridgeway also pushed us up a very steep hill, a muddy slidey one that was definitely not runnable as my feet kept slipping from beneath me! The views at the top were worth the struggle and I was glad that I took advantage of my "enforced" walk break and consumed a homemade cheese and pickle sandwich. I do not know the name of the hill, but will soon find out... I do remember that a local runner knew it well as he came prepared for the ascent with walking sticks!!

There was also a section of trail that was heavily waterlogged, somewhere before and after Checkpoints 2 & 3. I just about gave up the will to live at this point, I agree that sounds somewhat melodramatic, but forcing my way through this slippery sludge reminded me of my recent encounter with Irish bogs, reminded me of my failure to finish a race and every time I slipped and kicked my ankle, reminded me of my vulnerabilities. In short it hurt, it hurt a lot!

If I could have made one change at this point, it would have been my trainers. Swopped my trusty, completely overworn and overused Nimbus and placed either my Mudclaws or Rocklites upon my feet. Hindsight is such a wonderful thing...

Mr Hot Cross Bun, offered some respite at the checkpoint - a jam filled bun and some well chosen words and I was moving onwards, "just get to halfway" ricocheting around my mind, "finish a leader, not a loser".

And then my first miracle, the first glimmer that my fighting spirit could still be found....

As we crossed under the M40, he saw me and came towards me, high up in the sky. He was soon joined by another, then another. Goosebumps over my body, I felt inspiration and motivation deep inside my body. The glorious site of the red kites of Oxfordshire! I was instantly transported back to the first time I ever saw a red kite, the first one released in Hampshire, before it became public knowledge. That day I flew home effortlessly, completely in awe of the beauty of nature. As I watched the kites today, it felt as though they were helping me fly across the ground, my Camelbak offering wings which I could use to rest my ankle.

All too soon, the kites were gone, taking my wings with them. They did however leave a little bit of hope that I might just be able to go a little further than the halfway(ish) point at Goring...

Checkpoint 4 appeared at the top of a long hill, and it was the first time I realised just what an amazing sight the banners around these checkpoints are - a welcoming little beacon and offer of help to all of us runners.

This is where I met Mrs Scottish Lady, who offered coffee, cake and a few wee words of encouragement, words that stayed with me as I continued on my way past Swyncombe church and I think this is when we crossed a golf course. Embarassing confession at this point is that I somehow managed to get a little bit lost! Just a little bit thankfully and soon I was back following the brilliantly way marked route - The Ridgeway is very well marked, and there were only on a few occasions when I wondered off the route....

At this point I must also say that Ian was following my journey with a car full of food, drink and words of support. Plus a camera with a very big lens - if any fellow runners found themselves hurdling a man lying in the road with a camera with a camera pointing in their direction, that was Ian. Forever in a quest for the best angled shot - which he normally gets!! All photos can be found on the TRA website.

The plan was to meet Ian and change into trail shoes just before I hit the Thames section of the Ridgeway as we anticipated very wet conditions....

Hmmm, didn't quite turn out to be the bog that we had anticipated and was in fact completely dry! However there were three significant events on this section of the trail, heading towards Goring..

The first was upon reaching a church gate, which appeared to allow the Ridgeway through the church grounds. This felt wrong, felt disrespectful and I stood for several minutes hoping that I had made a mistake and that the route wound its way around the church. To no avail, the route definitely went through, and therefore so must I. Carefully closing the gate behind me I crossed the grounds, apologising to no one in particular, it just felt necessary to say "sorry".

The second event, was the delightful sight of Ian standing outside the Perch and Pike Pub in North Stoke, with a 1/2 pint of Guinness sitting atop the car! We had joked about this during our pre race meal in this very pub, but I did not think it would happen. With great pleasure I downed most of the soothing beverage, so full of nutrition and goodliness....

The third event, and most significant of the entire race was what happened next. Perhaps it was the Guinness, perhaps it was the reminder of how much Ian loves me, or perhaps it was something else.. Whatever the reason I suddenly believed that I could find the strength within me to finish the race, to run all the way to Avebury.

The pain in my ankle was becoming manageable and I suddenly felt an overwhelming desire to continue my quest to inspire as many people as possible. For some time I have been considering retiring from competitive ultra running, regardless of whether or not that is what I do, from this point forth in this race I wanted to prove that you can achieve your dreams. No matter what, dig deep, find hope, find belief and find that special energy to achieve what you dream of. I will never forget the day I was told I would never run again, I refused to accept that, and look at what I have achieved since that day, how many miles I have run...

A change of socks, clean ankle support and back to my road trainers at Goring, fueled up and lights at the ready, I was up for the challenge of taking on the second half of the Ridgeway. I would soon be on familiar terrain, and now the negative switch in my mind flipped over - now I was running home!!

The road section coming out of Streatley feels like it goes on forever, and then some more... I was convinced that I had missed a turn, running on the road did not feel right. I was somewhat relieved to see head torches of fellow runners in the distance, confirmation that I was still on course.

Light was rapidly diminishing and I finally relented and joined all the other runners already using a headtorch. I am very experienced running in darkness and feel completely at home running off road in the dark - this is my "normal" daily life!

Suddenly, and in the middle of nowhere, there was a headtorch coming towards me, accompanied by the familiar voice of Ian - perfect timing as I was completely out of water and very thirsty. Unfortunately, Ian had no water - he had just run over one mile from the road to meet me at this point as he realised that we had misinterpreted the route and the point where it crossed the A34. If I followed the path that we had walked on the day before I would be off the Ridgeway Trail and probably lost!! Ian does not believe I can read sign posts,undoubtably based upon his experiences when I am driving.... Whatever the reason, I thank thee and also the very kind man that filled up my water reservoir from his own supply - I am sorry that I did not get your name. Thank you.

Checkpoint 6, lights blazing and spotted from far down the track, was a welcome sight, as was the realisation that I was now on familiar ground. As I munched upon a vegetarian hot dog I recognised the car park as the very one we had parked in less than one week ago, from where we had walked the dogs. We were now running on the outskirts of Swindon (I think), the town lights could be see far in the distant valley.

Tiredness was now catching up with me and the biting wind on the hills was causing my body temperature to drop dramatically. Ian reacted quickly to my deminishing mind and body strength and pulled out the jacket and buff that I had been carrying, insisting against my protests that I wore them!

Onwards once more and now it was becoming a struggle. Quite simply I wanted my bed. Didn't want to be running across country in the middle of the night, that was for crazy people. Sensible people should be all tucked up in bed dreaming sweet dreams...

One foot in front of the other, drudging onwards to the next checkpoint. Darkness all around, the only company I had were the little bats fluttering around catching their supper. I wished the dogs were with me, my daily training partners and excellent pacemakers. I started dreaming of them, drifting in and out of wooziness as I tried to concentrate on where I was placing my feet. I had already turned both ankles earlier on the course, now would not be a good time to do further damage. I became a little disorientated and could not work out where I was on the route, distances felt longer and I worried several times that I had gone off course.

Checkpoint 7 and Ian insisted I ran with a fellow runner that was also going through a tough spell. It was a good idea and for many miles Matt and I shared stories and experiences, I walked/ ran as he ran constantly, fearful of a knee injury that was seizing up when he stopped or walked. His girlfriend was on her way to meet him at the next checkpoint, this was spurring him on and I tapped into some of his energy!

At checkpoint 8 I had the most delightful peanut butter sandwich and met with Mr Ever So Cheery and the campfire supporters! They were awesome as they cheered the runners and passed on words of encouragement. I learned at this point only 5 or 6 people had passed through, a complete shock to me as I thought there were about 30 people ahead of us! I was also a little concerned at this checkpoint as there was no sign of Ian. He had mentioned an Indian Restaurant on the route, just after the trail joins a busy road before crossing the M4 again, but I expected to see him at this checkpoint. What if something had happened to him...

Not so, my knight in shining armour was waiting in the Indian Restaurant car park, bottle of Dioralyte and Sudo cream at the ready... Unfortunately I arrived too late for the Naan bread that I had been dreaming of!

I caught up with Matt for the last time, just as we crossed the M4, heading towards Marlborough. My strength was returning as his knee was troubling him and it was with deep sadness that I ran away from him and up the hill towards Ogbourne St George and crossing of the A346. I did take some comfort when I looked back and saw another headtorch join his, hopefully a fellow runner.

I knew that once I crossed the A346 I was on the final leg home. Ian and I had run together on the Ridgeway from this point and I had taken in every sight and sound on that day. Two hours from Avebury at that point, ONLY two hours...

I felt very emotional as I ran towards Marlborough. Marlborough Downs to be precise, the place of my first ever ultra - the first time I ran beyond a marathon and loved every single minute of it. Where my love of ultra running began...

I crossed the A346, met Ian and had some more coca cola, dioralyte, crisps and chocolate - what a lovely conconction. Ian left me to continue via car to our next rendevous point, I ran on alone with only some chocolate shortbread for company as I commenced my last ascent of the day to the final checkpoint at Barbury Castle.

As I ran up the never ending hill to Barbury Castle, a huge flashing beacon led the way. I was impressed, what a fabulous idea of the organisers, a huge ball of fire showing us weary runners where our final checkpoint was. I am sure the red kites must have been nearby as I suddenly sprouted wings as I ran up the hill....

There was no checkpoint at the flashing beacon, in fact the source was not even on the Ridgeway trail! I think it belonged to a farm building, absolutely nothing to do with the Ridgeway Race!! Never mind, it helped me up that final hill and I am sure others felt the same way..?

The final checkpoint and I was met with tubs of tomatoes, cheese and kiwi fruits, but no Ian? As I munched on a few delightful fruits Ian suddenly appeared in a terrible fluster. Apparently I had out run him and had arrived too early!

No one at the checkpoint could confirm how many miles to the finish, guesses varied somewhere between 4 and 7 miles. It did matter not as I knew that I had still had many more running miles in my legs...

As I ran through Barbury Castle Hill Fort, I was once again reminded of the similarities between it and Figsbury Hill Fort (where I do my hill reps). I felt so close to home and had to fight my desire to "floor it"... Not yet, it was way too soon and collapsing miles from the finish would not do my street credibility any good!

The last section of trail heading towards Avebury is fraught with potential hazards: large loose stones; deeply rutted tracks; long grass. Lose my concentration and I could easily topple over or turn my ankle again.

I knew to look out for the turning to the right, just after Fyfield Down. This was when the race route separated from The Ridgeway trail and headed into Avebury along the Wessex Ridgeway (I think that is the correct name..?) If I missed this turn I would have to turn around when I reached a road - signalling the end of The Ridgeway.

Panic set in as the stretch of trail I was familiar with suddenly became alien and I convinced myself that I was on new ground, slowing to a jog I feared the worst...

Until.... as if by magic, I spotted the little yellow sign laid down by the Race Director pointing down the very track that I thought I had missed. Relief swept over me as I ran down the hill and finally allowed myself to accept that not only was I finishing this race very strongly, I was finishing as the very first Lady.

No pint of Guinness awaited me at the finish as the pub had long since closed, instead I was met by a small crowd of very enthusiastic supporters and the most delicious mug of tomato soup!!

And so, upon reflection, will I be retiring from ultra running? Yes, and no...

There is one area of competitive ultra running that I have no dreams to pursue. However, the facts remain that I do love running very long distances, I love personal challenges and I love the thought of inspiring others to enjoy running and fulfilling dreams. I am on borrowed time with my ankle and know that one day I will no longer be able to manage the pain. Sometimes I struggle, always I have to fight at some point during every race that I run. One day I will not be able to continue this fight and it will come to an end.

Ankle pain withstanding, I struggled during a large percentage of this race, and know where I made mistakes. I have spared you some of these issues/ errors as not all can and should be shared. I truly believe that I can run considerably faster on this course and that belief has given me a deep seated desire to return next year to prove this belief.

Until then, a different life awaits me. No more chasing vests or quests to seek people's approval. The true me is a chaser of my own dreams and I am a dream catcher.....

When one becomes two...

2011-08-31T06:19:00.000-07:00

Falkirk Parkrun - an opportunity to run a 5k route in Scottish temperatures and on husky friendly terrain. Perfect opportunity for pocket rocket Kobi to continue his quest for super speed further than 1 mile....

Set in the glorious surroundings of Calendar Park in Falkirk, this new Parkrun is run by an amazingly friendly group of runners that offer dog biscuits and human sweeties to all finishers!!

True to form, we arrived at the start line not quite fully prepared to start the race and managed to lose about 30 seconds untangling dogs from ganglines and necklines - runners disappearing off into the distance! When finally both dogs were free from constraints, Kobi shot off the line in hot pursuit, determined to catch every runner at lightning speed.

We zipped past quite a few fellow parkrunners before reaching a narrow pathway, upon where I decided that it was not safe to try any super speed overtaking and would try and take advantage of the human runners blocking the path to slow Kobi down and not let him burn himself out.

My plan worked very well as we ran through some fabulous trails in the woods, up and down little undulations, avoiding squirrels and tree routes. Lovely course and it was a delight to watch the two dogs working well together, stride for stride and obeying my every command. I could see the happiness on the dogs' faces, as we flew round the bends clocking up km after km...

First mile 5:24, second mile 5:26 and then..... Kobi could no more.... Just as we reached the foot of the hill that is commonly known as "the mountain" to most Falkirk Parkrunners, Kobi ran out of run (in true Pooh Bear style..) and came to a spluttering stop, almost standstill.

He turned to look at me, confirming that he was now very tired and the fire in his belly to catch every runner truely burnt out. There is nothing I can do from this point forth other than jog/ walk to the finish and encourage him to just keep on moving forward.

And so to the finish we did plod, to resounding cheers of support from a fantastic crowd of Scottish supporters. Post race biscuits, sweets and chat an absolute pleasure.

Brilliant little parkrun event and I took fantastic encouragement knowing that Kobi can now run two fast miles!! Now all he has to do is hold it together for one more mile....

Hot dogs: country bumpkin dogs in city centres...

2011-08-16T03:28:00.000-07:00

Salisbury 5-4-3-2-1, fabulous event that offers a variety of distances for both walker and runners - dogs allowed!

Excellent training for me coming the day after a fun 50 miler across the North Downs Way, jog in the park for Kez, and big challenge for little Kobi - running 30k with lots of people....

A rather how day, my first concern is always the well being of the dogs. The dogs have been training in warn conditions and so are very acclimatised to them. They are phenomenally fit and best of all they always let me know well in advance if they need help, i.e. a river swim. I know the signs and it works for us. We train on the race route, and I know where all the accessible river crossing. I also carry water and electrolytes for them, just in case...

Due to the earlier start, we began the run at the same time as the 50k runners (or rather we missed the start and chased after them for the first two miles...) with the intention of picking up the 20k route part way round and completing a final distance of 30k - the furthest Kobi has ever run.

In true Kobi style, we ran the first few miles at more effort than required... Thankfully Kez with his pacer's head on ensured we didn't do 5 minute miling! When Kobi did finally settle, it was an amazing experience to see him actually working with Kez. Head down, tail flying behind, he looked like a true husky. This is the first time he has shown this pose while in harness and bodes very well for his future as a longer distance athlete. Perhaps his dream to one day run a marathon may well become a reality....

The first river stop very nearly resulted in some outdoor swimming for me (much to the amusement of my fellow runners!!) - I forgot that the lines attached to the dogs were much shorter than the ones I normally have when the dogs are bathing in that particular section of the river!! Thankfully Ian was by my side to "anchor" me to the river bank.

We ran alongside our fellow runners for many miles, enjoying the scenery and chatting around us. The usual accusations of "cheating" were easily outweighed by the fantastic compliments and responses from our fellow runners as the huskies trotted past. Kez helped steer Kobi around legs, trees and lamposts. Kobi tried to barge his way through everyone and leave his "scent" on every blade of grass in the Wiltshire countryside....

We ran very slowly to ensure the dogs did not overheat, and stopped for very long times at the drink stations, which had been brilliantly supplied with a great variety of dogs bowls. We even discovered that Kobi rather enjoys jelly babies and Clif Bar Shot blocks!

The road sections (of which there are very few) were a huge problem for us - my country bumpkin dogs are not used to running on pavements and don't quite understand the safety protocol when running down a rather busy road. I do apologise to my fellow runners for our rather extravagant sprint on the road into Alderbury, when we probably clocked 3 minute mile pace in our desparation to get safely to the next traffic free section!!

Ian and I had to separate company in the Longford Estate as he was continuing for the full duration of the 50k, where as we had to now pick up the 20k route and head into Britford and back to Salisbury. A nice muddy tree lined route soon followed and we were able to have a little blast and dismiss the sadness as at not being able to continue with Ian for the full distance.

Kobi started looking a little tired and was beginning to show the behaviour we have come to recognise in our little rescue boy. When he gets tired his confidence drops and he starts to worry about things he is not familiar with. Different people, new challenges etc are all suddenly huge problems for a little boy that feels scared. Kez and I have to give him our confidence - he watches us listens to us and tries to follow our example. Only a few short months ago he would have given up at this point and shut down. Body drop the floor and his brain would shut down - this was how he had evolved in order to protect himself from all the trauma that he was subject to as a baby, before we rescued him.

The next river stop had a fence to negotiate before free river access, which Kez recognised and squeezed under with no problem. Kobi on the other hand convinced himself that the an axe wielding man was hidden within the fence and refused to even touch it. If I panic or show signs of stress, Kobi worsens, and so with a very deep breath and superhuman strength, I somehow managed to lift him over whilst not being hauled into the river by Kez who was happily splashing around! I was rewarded on the exit from river by suddenly seeing two huskies disappearing from me as I had forgotten to attach their dog line onto my running belt!! Thankfully Kez is extremely obedient and came running straight back to me when I called him.

The next challenge for little Kobi was to negotiate a very busy city centre -all that stood between us and the finish was a one mile section of a city full of tourists..... He panicked, I panicked and Kez just put his little head down and tried to drag us round all the obstacles. Kez really is a superstar. I know how stressed he must have been as he is not happy in crowds of people and certainly not ones that keep reaching out to touch him as we run past. People blocked our way and seemed to find it very funny to try and grab at the dogs, which were clearly scared. Poor Kobi was absolutely petrified as he tried to follow Kez. Both of them ran beside me and I tried to reassure them, and encourage them to keep moving. I knew that if we could just keep moving Kobi would be ok. Stressed yes, but it would give him strength for the next time we encounter such a challenge....

And we made it safely to the finish. Stopped short of the finishing chute to ensure our chip time was not recognised, however the sensors did pick it up and we were credited with a very fast 50k time for only running 30k (this has since been rectified).

The first thing I did when we stopped was call Kobi and Kez to me and praise them. Little Kobi just pushed his little body into mine and wanted to be hugged for a very long time. It was so sweet and so like a young human child wanting reassurance from a parent. When I finally managed to prise him out of my arms I looked at his little face and he looked so happy. So different from the puppy we met only last year. This little guy now loves life and all the challenges that it brings. These challenges do make him stronger and he is rapidly becoming a superstar. I am frequently in awe of his resiliance and fighting spirit. He has endured so much and actually appears grateful for what he now has. Human emotion and interpretation I know, but this is one of the reasons why I am able to get so much from my dogs - empathy and a desire to understand their behaviour in human terms.

Magic Miles in so many ways...

2011-08-12T04:37:00.000-07:00

Speak of "Magic Miles" and I immediately think back to the days of Coe, Ovett and Cram. Hours of watching their races over 800m, 1500m & 1609m. Feeling inspired to run and dreaming of one day running for Team GBR....

Recently I have been looking for an opportunity to run a one mile race with Kobi our little rescue dog. A chance to see what he can do over the one mile distance (the little guy had a tendency to "blow up" in 5k races, but very fast for the first 1.5 miles). So when Martin Yelling and Tom Williams from Marathontalk.com came up with the briliant idea of a global Magic Mile challenge, I hoped this could be the perfect opportunity for us..

Poole Parkrun very kindly agreed to let us run in their staged event in Poole Park. Having previously run 49 Parkruns with Huskies, the dogs' behaviour has been complimented on numerous occasions and their reputation appears to be spreading.... Being a non dog runner myself sometimes, I know only too well the safety issues that need to be considered when running at high speeds around people and it is always my first concern, even if it means I have to stop or to run very wide, I will not put others in danger.

My original intention had been to run Kobi on his own, but after a pre race trial with him running solo I soon realised that he still has some major confidence issues that we need to work through before we take the next step.

For those of you that do not know Kobi's story, he was rescued last year very close to death and his future looked very bleak. Petrified of humans, his little mind and body had never known nourishing food or love. He was too weak for the vet to vaccinate him as the live vaccine could have killed him. I connected with him the first time I met him and knew I had to give him a chance of life and to be happy. I even allowed myself a very far fetched dream of one day turning him into a European Canix Champion...

Therefore Kez was drafted in to the race to give Kobi some canine support, and also to ensure perfect steering!!

Our pre race preparation did not go very well thanks to scarey men (Kobi's opinion), squirrels, loose dogs and a general "cannot be bothered" attitude from the dogs. I quickly reassessed my objective of trying to run 5 minutes, to just getting round the course with both dogs in front of me and no "incidents". The other extra exciting aspect of the race was that Liz Yelling (yes THE Liz Yelling of Olympic Marathon fame) and her husband Martin were both running in the sub 7 minute race!!

I started at the back, and very wide of all the other runners and with Ian's help we clipped on the neckline and held them for a few seconds to allow all the runners to get started. And then we were off...

Immediately both dogs went into work mode, full flight and chasing after the other runners. I kept them very wide for the first 3/4 lap to ensure all the runners had settled and it was safe to move over without infringement of anyone. I settled just behind the lead runners and felt completely in awe of what I was doing. Running this close to an Olympic athlete and watching the dogs running so freely and so happily and in full control I am glad that I was wearing sunglasses as I cannot be sure if the tears were due to the wind or the emotion.

The event organisers had very kindly set a course for dogs on the grass on the inside of the race circuit, but the dogs chose to run mostly on the tarmac - with the exception of the grass section on the far outside where we nearly had to hurdle the bench when Kez responded too quickly to me turn right "Gee" command (thanks Kez, we'll try steeplechase next time...)

My fears that the dogs would object to running three laps were soon overthrown as we flew round without breaking stride at the start/ finish point. On the last lap the fourth placed runner came up on the inside and I asked the dogs to go wide again to ensure he had full freedom to choose his route, they responded inmmediately but as we moved back to the inside I felt Kobi falter and slow down, was he going to blow up with only 300 metres to go...

Kobi moved onto the grass, and just as I started to fear that he had "run out of run", Kez decided that it was time for him to take control. Until this point Kobi had been setting the pace, Kez had done all the steering without much gusto, and to be fair I cannot blame him. He is an ultra runner, used to pacing himself for a very long run, not sprinting the entire distance. And he did not know how far or long he would be running this evening.

We soon started pulling back the distance we had lost to the runner in front of us and were gaining speed as we ran towards the finish. When a human is assisted by two racing huskies, the advantage in a sprint finish is phenomenal and I quickly had to make a decision as to whether I went for it or not. The risks were too great, visions of fast dogs, tangled lines and injured runners sprung to mind and I didn't ask for that final assistance. We stopped just short of the finish chute to ensure that Kobi didn't suddently bolt off to one side to avoid the people standing at the side.

Wow, I have never felt such immense pride in the team work that the boys and I showed during that run. Completely in control and all of us having such fun, doing what we love doing - running as a team. Running alongside athletes of such calibre and participating in such a fabulous fun challenge. And my ankle did not collapse or even seriously object to what was asked of it!

Our time was 5:02 and I know that with a little help and effort we can go faster.

Tomorrow I return to the 50 mile runs, but not before fueling the fire of the dream for little Kobi...

P.S. As the question will be asked... I have run 5:48 in a training run on an undulating course, without dogs.

24 hour running

2011-05-09T12:51:00.000-07:00

24 hour running. Mention that concept to most people and they respond with “why”??!!

My reasons for attempting a 24 hour race would make a story of their own and originated several years ago. However, the long term plan was to run one after I had conquered 100k and matured as a runner. I have not yet done that, but the lure of a Scottish vest and the chance to run in another Commonwealth Championship was too much, and at 12pm on 7^th May I found myself in Basel, Switzerland on the start line of a race which would not finish until 12pm on 8^th May and would hopefully see me run further than I had ever run before. 4.9 marathons was my dream target.

What now follows is not a precise, blow by blow account of the race, (that can be found in “the book” when published!), this is merely a summary based upon what I felt and saw and also Ian's account of the race for the times when I was neither aware nor conscious. Times of feelings are approximate, based upon memory, factual events prior to 9pm are precise, courtesy of Ian's fabulous recording system of what I said and what I ate or drank on each lap!

The location for the race was St Jakob Park, in Basel, Switzerland, the course 1.15km around a sports field. Organised by Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team, the support, set up and food provided was excellent pre, during and post race. There were even bunk houses for any participants that might need a little sleep during the race.

There are different approaches to 24 hour running, some people never stop and keep on running or run/ walking, others blast a few hours and then sleep, before returning to churn out a few miles. My plan was to keep on moving forwards for the full 24 hours with Ian support me all the way....

The first few hours were relatively comfortable as I tootled around the course, taking in the sights and sounds of the park, familiarising myself with every turn, land mark and more importantly, where the toilets were!

The temperature climbed into the high 20°s and then above 30°, peaking at 32° for many hours. Even running very slowly and taking on liquids and electrolytes on most laps, I could feel the heat taking affect upon my body. Several people had dropped out of the race and were being treated by the medics in the shaded areas. I tried to not let it phase me, just plod on and get to the early hours of the morning when the temperature would drop and I would be in “Sandra time”. For those of you that do not know me, my daily ritual (and one that I love) involves me getting up at silly o'clock and going running with our husky dogs for hours.

Around 5.5 hours disaster number 1 struck. My ankle started causing severe pain. I had been managing the discomfort of a dull ache since the first hour, but nothing more that I normally have to manage each day. Fear struck me as the pain worsened as I remembered Keswick. I stopped to change shoes and put on my ankle support, but the next two laps had me limping as the pain was so severe. Tears followed and once again I was facing retirement from Ultra running for life.....

Before retiring, I decided to try tubi-grip and if that failed I would try one dose of co-codamol, codeine being the absolute last gasp attempt at staying on the course. Last time I tried that one my body remained in the race, but I think my mind went somewhere else!

Full length tubi-grip upon my ankle and off I went. Lap 51 pain subsided, lap 52 pain subsided furthermore, lap 53, pain gone. And so it remained. Ankle was not a problem for any of the remainder of the race. Who needs expensive supports/ braces when a free NHS option provides the cure!

Next problem was the oppressive heat finally wearing down my Scottish body. Not used to these excessive conditions it could not cope. I started showing all the signs of heatstroke, but refused to admit it. Ian knew better and managed to convince me to lay down for a while to try and bring down my temperature. I continued to fight, struggled to my feet and got back on the course for another few laps.

Each lap got slower and harder as I felt my mind drifting in and out of reality. I felt my target slipping away and realised that if I did not do something, I was in danger of not being on the course when the final whistle was blown.

I staggered into Ian's arms and plopped to the floor where I was rapidly treated as I fought the mind demons in my head. “Quit now and you quit for life” etc. I told myself “just one little sleep and I would be back up...”

Fast forward one hour and I tried to get back on my feet. My body was having none of it and decided that completely shutting down and removing all my stomach contents at the same time would have the desired affect of stopping me. It worked, I stopped, but it also nearly resulted in an emergency call for an ambulance, which thankfully Ian was able to convince the medics that he would follow their advice and if I worsened then we could rethink the need for an ambulance...

Another hour later I tried again to rise to my feet and Ian accompanied me around the course for two laps. I was still in serious danger of collapsing again. I was defeated. Time to quit the race and go sleep in the bunk house, I would run no more that day. But, I did keep my race number around my waist for some reason....

A few hours later, I decided to get out of bed and return to walking the course. Body still said no and thankfully Ian stopped me from falling once again and placed me back upon the bed. More sleep until 8:34 and then BINGO. I awoke and felt very much aware of my surroundings. This time I did get up and remained up. Back on course to finish the lap that we had started about 5 hours ago, to much relief from the officials. Managed a decent sized breakfast and I was back on the course gently jogging and determined to stay upon my feet until 12pm.

The temperature was already 24° and it wasn't long until I started feeling hot again. Determined not to be beaten and with Ian's help, we managed to control the nausea and ensure correct fluids and food were taken, dampening me down with cold water after each lap..

As the time moved closer to 12pm I felt my strength returning, and as each lap passed by I became more confident about speeding up. I felt good again and soon was lapping people as most had resorting to walking. I ran past the male who was leading the race as well as all the female runners.

I was given a flag to carry for one lap when I reached the 100k mark, and boy was I glowing with pride as I raced around that lap. I might be way off target, but I once again had proven that I was not a quitter. I had rested, but I had not given up, and I had some more miles to clock up. My next target was to run further I had ever before, which at 108k, was a realistic target. People recognised me as a “casualty” from earlier and offered tremendous support as I ran. It was amazing and their energy fed into mine and encouraged my legs to move faster.

Then mini disaster number 4 (don't worry about the ones that I did not share...). Major explosion on one of my toes, could only mean one thing!

Change of socks, and several Compeeds and zinc oxide tape later and I was back running again. Turns out the damage was a little worse than just one little toe, several toe nails will not be joining me on my next running adventure, but I am sure the new ones will be even better.......

As we neared the end, Ian explained that I would be given a flag to carry on my last lap. This confused me a little as most people appeared to have been carrying a flag for some time. It took me a little while to work out that it was taking them significantly longer than me to complete each lap. I was now running each lap around seven minutes, which was faster than any other point of the race for me. I was handed my flag at 23 hours and 53 minutes, if I kept up the pace I would just be able to complete one more full lap.

As soon as I had the flag in my hand I felt an immense sense of pride and my legs kicked as I ran forward. Ian ran round with me (just off the course) explaining what I had to do with my flag as soon as the hooter went.

I had to slalom around people as I negotiated the course for one last time. I had to complete this last lap, a magical power helped me along and it felt like I was flying. I made the lap and the hooter did not go off. I actually managed about another third of a lap, and pending confirmation from lap splits, ran the last lap in well under 6 minutes, probably closer to 5. Not bad for the end of a 24 hour race, and confirmation that I can be good at this, just wait until the next one, which will be colder. Antarctica here we come......

My thanks and gratitude to Ian for his never ending support. Special thanks to Izzy, Steve, Stephen, John, Les and Margaret for their support during the race and beyond. And thanks to the organisers and fellow runners who all connected with me at some point during the race, especially the cameraman who appeared to like my vest!! I apologise to those that chose to rest near to where I fell unwell and to the those that got to see my feet. I hope the trauma does not last too long.

Story of the little lost dog

2011-02-23T07:28:00.000-08:00

When we first met Kobi, I looked into his eyes and saw nothing. A blank expression was all that met with my gaze, he would not make eye contact, and would not even try to focus on his environment. Absolutely no interest in humans whatsoever. His little body carried him around, but his vacant expression showed no life at all. I had a horrid sick feeling in my stomach when I envisaged what might have happened to him in his short life. We will never know what he experienced, we just know all to well the coping mechanisms he had cleverly adopted in order to survive what ever was going on around him.

We knew it would be a challenge to bring a sparkle into his eyes, we had space in our pack for another dog, and we wanted to give a lost dog a new life. A life that would include being part of an amazing pack, eating fabulous food, huge amounts of exercise, even his very own bunk bed!

If I am honest, it was that vacant expression that sold little Copper (as he was then known) to me. Something told me that if this dog was to become what he wanted to be, then his best chance was to share our life. I felt that there was something very special inside his little shell, one of those gut feeling as evidence all around me was to the contrarary.

He was completely petrified of humans. To the point of freezing and completely shutting down if a human got too close. When he froze one could have done anything to him and I don't think he would have ever reacted. Dogs he understood and was fine with, humans he did not trust and did not want to have anything to do with. He was extremely underweight and had been flea and worm ridden when first handed into the dog rescue. Apparently he was found on the streets, but it was generally felt by the rescue center the people that "found him" were actually his owners. His original foster owners had performed a wonderful job of cleaning him, feeding and trying to connect with him. He quickly gained weight while living with them, but would not interact with them, preferring to spend most of each day in a cage, even though the door was wide open.

When we brought him home he quickly settled into his cage, it was his little safe haven, which we respected and would not infringe upon "his space". When he did come out of his cage if either Ian or myself went within 10 feet of him he bolted into another room. We had to wait until he was in a corner before we could clip a lead onto his collar, just to take him a walk. If we looked at him he would cower and drop to the floor.

We considered that he might be very ill or possibly be handicapped in some way. He had not pain responses and his reactions (or rather lack of) to certain stimuli lead us to consider this train of thought. He seemed fascinated with his own paws as they moved, almost as if they were a live animal that he could chase. It looked like he did not realise they were his own. Baby puppies I can understand show this type of bahaviour, as they learn about themselves and their bodies, but at possibly ten months he appeared to old for this immature behaviour.

I run, while others dream, and I dream....

2011-02-20T02:14:00.000-08:00

3:30am this morning I awoke, jumped out of bed, threw on my running clothes and try to sneak through the front door while sleeping huskies dreamed. I failed. Kez was instantly alerted to my intentions and blocked my route from kitchen to front door, and Kobi tapped my legs with his little paws (must remember to not teach the next puppy to "touch" - huskies kinda like to "touch" with emphasis!).

The reason for my early start today? If I am serious about attempting a 24 hour event, my body needs to know what it feels like to run at every hour of the day. Listening to experienced 24 hour runners, 4am tends to be the worst time, which unsurprisingly does not phase me as I daily fall out of my bed around 4:30 to run across the Wiltshire countryside.

I love early morning running for a number of reasons. There are very few people around at this time, people are sleeping and I am in "my world" alone. Where there are no interuptions to disturb me from my thoughts and dreams in "my world".

The animals of the countryside keep me company if I need: Brock the badger on his slumbering slog back to Betty; Fred fox trying to sneak up on the first batch of this year's baby rabbits, unfortunately born too early, with a low survival rate; Snowy the barn owl, struggling to raise a family in his declining prefered home; Riva the Roe deer, less weary this morning as I chose to leave the huskies behind. There are others, all that I see regularly and each has a story to tell...

As I run, the miles slip by as I think, analyse and dream. I dream that Kai is running alongside me, like he used to all those years ago. I feel safe when I think that I feel his presence, him protecting me now as he did in life.

I think of all the hurtful and negative comments that people make to me, how hurtful I find them and how I can manage my mind to just let them "bounce off". I know I am super sensitive, and I also know that there are people out there that are not capable of sharing positive words about everyone. I do not know their circumstances and do not care to know, but hope that one day they learn that sharing positive words and comments is so much more rewarding. It is empowering when you see another person's face light up, inspired by a word, by a recognition.

Today I made a resolution to myself about how I will cope with those comments. They will keep on coming, of that I am sure! My strategy will be experimental, if this one does not work, I will try another strategy. I will not give up because if I do I will give up on doing what I love, and what I am.

My run today takes me round Salisbury's "Three Peaks". Not quite of mountainous standard, more like mole hills, but definitely hills in this relatively flat area of Wiltshire. There is Figsbury Hill, Old Sarum Hill and Laverstoke Down Hill, plus a little peak just above the Woodford Valley. The ground is very muddy and sticky underfoot, tough going but brilliant training. Energy levels good and no ill effects from yesterday's speed session with little Kobi and Kez. Thinking of both dogs, there are some fabulous stories that I can share about both of these guys. Kobi - the Usain Bolt of the dog world, Kez - the Haile Gabraisalle (note to check spelling later...)

It has been so long since I last wrote, so many adventures and experiences in the last year. I have some catching up to do...

The surprise of my early morning run was the chainsaw massacre of trees (I think) by Network Rail. 5am on a Sunday morning, in a residential area and these guys have chainsaws verberating throughout the neighbourhood. I could still hear the resounding growling as I ran over Laverstoke down towards the Hampshire side of home.

Mission accomplished I return to bed with a litre of rego, happy that I had succeeded in another area of my training. 30 minutes later I had to get back out of bed, run a bath and have a very hot drink! My body temperature had plummeted and there was no way that I could sleep. I will learn this lesson well and do things slightly differently next time

The Hibernation Habits of an Ultra Runner

2010-05-09T18:51:00.000-07:00

Yes, I do still run.

Yes, I do still write!

Just been a little preoccupied with "stuff" - funny how one cannot always manage time to allow all of life's "wants" to be done.

Whilst I play catch up, some interesting life developments in summary....

1. Finding "the one" at the local Marathon.

2. The wonderful world of PARKRUN

3. Postponing life whilst waiting for ankle surgery.

4. Kick starting life whilst waiting for ankle surgery!

5. From Ultra Runner to "speed freak" - dropping down to 5k races.

6. Passporting "kiddies" in preparation for an assault on the European Canix community.

7. Chasing course records

8. Eating for two....

9. Running London Marathon in reverse

10. Hitting "the wall" at mile one of a marathon

11. Chasing the dream - 100k UKA champs one last time?

12. Sponsorship opportunities that actually work!

Anniversaries and dream evolutions

2010-01-26T11:40:00.000-08:00

One month has now gone. On the day that is the anniversary of Kai's birth 14 years ago, today also marks the passing of one month since Kai slipped away. Life goes on, but Kade still mourns the loss of a father, as do I mourn the loss of a special friend.

Today also marks the final end on a two year dream. A very special dream that burned stronger than any dream I have ever known. It lasted only for a short time, intense heat and sparks at creation, then it burned brightly, smouldering for a while and then today it ran out of oxgyen. The energy to fuel it gone. The glow has disappeared forever.

But, as life goes on, even after death, as do dreams. Dreams evolve and dreams are created in the flash of a nanosecond. A little spark within the pathways of the mind and soon inspiration floods through the grey matter, into the red river of the body's energy, straight to the heart. From there it moves through to the tummy and excitement begins. Feel it strongly and the eyes weep to cleanse the vision to bring clarity to eyes that want to turn the dream into a vision.

Losing a Best Friend

2009-12-26T12:22:00.000-08:00

Today I said my final farewell to one of the best friends that I have ever been priviledged to know.
Muiryett's Power Game (Kai) first entered my life nealy fourteen years ago as a little bouncy bundle of husky fur. I did not choose him, but he chose me. From two litters of puppies all looking for new homes, Kai was the one that followed me every where from the moment that we first met. He waited for me outside the toilet, whilst all the other puppies were scrabbling over the bonio biscuits that they had found. I scooped him into my arms and cuddled him close to me. Our lives from that point forth would be intertwined until one of us had to move onto our next life. He was always there for me, through the good times and the bad. The dancing and smiling when I fell in love and when I succeeded in life's challenges. The sadness when I fell from success or lost the loves of my life. He was my forever in life's rollercoaster. He was a dog, yes, but a very special dog at that. Anyone that met him will agree to this fact. A companion, a father to Kade, a grandfather to Krofti, and great, great, great grandfather to Kez. He was all that plus more......
Now is not the time to share all our life experiences. There were many, a lifetime of memories. For now I am in mourning for a loss that is hard to accept. Yes, I have been preparing for this for a very long time, but that does not make it any easier.
Kai continued his battle for life until he returned to his place of birth. He was born in Lanarkshire and will rest forever in Lanarkshire. This pleases me as it feels very symbolic.
I now wear a charm bracelet upon my wrist, a Christmas present that for now has two significant charms, one of these charms represents my memories of Kai, forever engrained within my mind. I will touch it when I want to remember the good times, and good times there were many!

When a race achieves its objective

2009-11-29T11:58:00.000-08:00

Gosport Semi Marathon a distant memory, time to try another similar race. This time with a different objective. A run for fun and a wee blast before next week's 3 race challenge....
Conditions could not have been worse (well they could have but for the purpose of this piece please try and imagine the worst conditions ever!), freezing cold, torrential rain and crowds of people all around me. Not good for a claustrophobic runner.
Wise words from coach firmly etched in my mind "you love to run, racing is running, therefore you enjoy racing" I leapt forward as the gun when off and braced myself for the onslaught.
Within the first 0.5 mile I had to check my stride and almost stop as someone cut right in front of me, two hundred yards later it happened again,and then again. I could feel my ankle react and my mind transported temporarily back to Gosport. Not today. I could not stop today. I dug deep, then deeper and then I found what I needed for that moment. I got angry felt it grow in my belly and into my mind. How rude these people were, do they not have any racing manners at all. It is almost paramount to bullying and very selfish too. Overtake and then cut directly in front of person, causing them to alter their stride just because you want that line. If you are running faster than me then please just continue for a few strides more and let me enjoy my run too.
I am almost ashamed to say this (as it is comparing myself to others which one should not do), but I thought "how many of these people have represented Great Britain, run in a World Championships, and become a Champion of a Nation"?
On that thought, I breathed deeply and continued on my path with a strong mind. I did not get anxious, did not try to escape, just ran.
After a few more miles the crowds had thinned and it was no longer a problem for the claustrophobic runner. I was in the zone, running very comfortably and enjoying the race, even enjoying the rain when it came down in buckets (and these buckets were like the size of 5 tonne skips - honest). I was only running at marathon/ultra pace, which was acceptable as my only objective today was to get to the finish line happy and comfortable, fully prepared for next weekend.
I did it. I got to the finish with a huge beaming smile.
Yesterday I ran a comfortable 5k PB in a very respectable time of 19.06, today I conquered one of my little mind demons.

When a race goes wrong

2009-11-16T10:49:00.000-08:00

Gosport Semi Marathon. A chance to test my fitness, push myself and further build my confidence. One of my racing targets for 2009.
Did not happen. I quit after five miles. If I am honest I quit before I even started.
I will not detail the reasons why I actually stopped, I know exactly why I stopped and I am neither proud nor ashamed of my reasons. They were my reasons.
The aftermath of making such a decision can be pretty intense and debilitating. I remember all too well how public opinion was divided when Paula stepped off the course at the Olympic marathon. How quickly people that did not want to understand turned against her. It was nothing short of shameful.
So on that note, I will not dwell on this race and the experience I endured. I will move on and do someting about it to make sure that it never happens again.
Every problem has at least two solutions......

Best Diet Ever - Fall in Love!!

2009-10-20T20:16:00.000-07:00

It's official.... Fall in love and the weight drops off!

Is it due to all those delightful chemicals floating around the brain, or is it just that comfort eating is no longer required?

Is it because "love" provides a fuel like no other? A fuel that negates the need for chocolate.... the excitement, the energy, the feelings that come with all that is associated with "love" - sharing dreams, planning dreams, achieving dreams... Mind feeding off body, body feeding off mind...

What ever the reason, I am noticing a significant change in body size and shape, in a very positive way. Starting to feel confident about my little personal target to wear my Scotland Team hot pants in a race before the end of the season....

I am also feeling more confident in my running - very noticeable in a tough training session this evening, one of those ones when you really fear for the loss of your lunch! Post run check of my Garmin seems to prove that running improvements are definitely happening.

Have no fear though, I have no intention of losing any more weight, just a wee tone up here and there, a wee boost of confidence and then bingo, those hot pants can finally get their maiden voyage. But I am targeting some pretty major running improvements....

P.S. It does not need to be a person that you fall in love with. Fall in love with life! Or even just a thought or an act, or maybe even just a dream.

Rewarding a tough week: Run a Marathon!

2009-10-19T20:17:00.000-07:00

Not the most common form of reward, but one in true Sandra style - for surviving a very intense week long Laser Safety Management training course (away from home), my personal prize would be to run a marathon... Marathon of choice, Dartmoor Vale - a nice "undulating" fun run for 26.2 miles!

Also a chance to try out my new ankle support, new trainers, new shorts and measure my heart rate for the longest ever race. What better way to spend a Sunday morning...

The plan was to take it very easy, any incidents with my ankle and I would pull out at half way. Being a very cold morning I didn't warm up until about 5 miles, little cold fingers prompting me to envisage within my mind the run across Antartica. Hardly comparable, but did lead to many hours of thinking all about the challenges ahead, in particular my rapidly expanding PhD thesis.... Marathons are fantastic times to think out plans - inspiration and motivation strong. This marathon was exceptional in that aspect as I was running within myself for the full duration and so never hit any tough patches or uncomfortable periods.

Between 16 & 17 miles my ankle became "troublesome", but it did not last and I soon forgot about it - until the 19 mile point when it was painful for a short period and then no more.

20 miles and I was fully warmed up. Ankle strong all hill climbing done, I stepped on the gas. Decided to push on and fully test my ankle support and rapidly growing confidence. Fast down hill section, the sort of decline that only weeks previously would have had me feeling physically sick with fear. Fear of ankle collapsing. But not today, today I flew and what a liberating feeling it was. I overtook many people, growing more and more confident with each stride. Running at just over seven minute mile pace it felt good, both ankle and hip strong.

I maintained a strong pace all the way to the finish. Mission accomplished. My trial of support, trainers and shorts all a success. A full marathon's worth of Garmin data to analyse later.

And my time? 3:33:12 (with nine minute negative split) - third lady overall. Not bad for a fun run, pretty good prize for what had started out as a reward anyway!

And a date with a friend and pizza in the evening to look forward to as well...

The Plan

2009-10-11T08:57:00.000-07:00

THE PLAN.

Simply started out as the intention to finally run that snow marathon that I have dreamed of for years. Spoken about to a select few.

Ever since I knew that running and huskies works well together the dream had festered. Why not make it happen, and why not do it for charity? Why not now?

I have always said that one day I will run a big one for a very worthwhile charity. Well, they are not going to get much bigger than this one as I now know that there is a 100k race in Antartica... Much better than just a marathon, and more of a Sandra challenge.

Since then my mind has been working overtime, if I run a 100k in one of the coldest and most inhospitable habitats on Earth, then why not balance that out by running a 100k in Africa? One year after the snow run. Just think of the potential charity fund raising opportunities......

As I was sitting in the sauna and steam rooms today I even contemplated asking for permission to move one of the treadmills into the room so that I could practice acclimatising myself to oppressive heat! Maybe once I know them a little better...

Anyway, THE PLAN has now positively crescendoed since then. Many fund raising and attention grabbing challenges to pursue and to write about. To share with others and to include others. Motivate, inspire and enrol. All ideas have the X100run theme and are presently being pulled together into a business plan proposal that I will be sharing....

Is it possible to raise £100k for a very worthwhile and world wide charity?

I have already dipped my toes in the sea of opportunity and approached several million pound/ dollar companies (one of them is American) with the basic idea in principle - and been met with very positive responses.

Preparation. Stress relievers before the stress....

2009-10-10T14:13:00.000-07:00

No race tomorrow. Got a wee cold and feeling poorly, so going to have a "pamper day" instead to make sure that I recover well and body remains strong. Tried a hill session today and could feel "it" in my chest, and every time I sneeze or cough my hip is extemely painful.
And so, instead of racing I am going to make the most of my 6 month membership to the health and fitness club in Eastleigh. Funny how things sometimes work out. I spontaneoulsy enter a 5k race, and win membership to a Health Club located only minutes from my new place of work. I had not even started working there when I won this prize. It is a place that I can visit regularly on my way home from a potentially stressful job. I am equipped with stress relievers even before I feel the stress!
I will have a casual run with the dogs and then go try out the jacuzzi, spa, steam room et al. Never before experienced any of them and am quite excited about the prospect! My change of plan for tomorrow will also give me a chance to do further work on THE PLAN. I have hand written notes in half one dozen books all relating to THE PLAN, now need to start pulling together the business plan around it...

On a roll?

2009-10-04T13:02:00.000-07:00

Feeling refreshed and confident after last week's 5k, I decided to attempt a 10k. Gradually build myself up to the Gosport 1/2 marathon in November. Until I have the results of the ankle scan I will continue to train according to how my ankle and body feel. Ankle support continues to work. Very little pain when running.
10k was in Portsmouth, along the sea front so flat and fast as long as the wind was low.
Again I had only one objective for the race. Further successful testing of the support, build upon my growing confidence. And take time during the race to give further thought to THE PLAN that has been growing in my mind for several weeks now....
300 people on the start line, I started near the front to try and avoid any trouble during the intial dash from the gun.
I started my watch several minutes before the start as I wanted to analyse my heart rate pre, during and post race. Trying to build up a scientific profile of how my body works.
Took me about 1k to settle into confortable running pace, just under 7 minute mile pace. Breathing was comfortable and I feel confident that it will not be long before I can maintain that pace and effort for 26 miles. That would give me my sub 3 hour marathon. A big target and big goal.
Under 2k into the race and I knew that I was the lead female. Didn't feel confortable as I knew there were some good runners in the race. Was surprised that I found myself in this position.
Nothing much to report about the race, I kept up the same(ish) pace for about 7k and then for some reason started easing back. I kept on expecting another female to appear on my shoulder,but was determined not to look back to see where they were.
For the first time ever, I crossed the line to break the tape. They actually put a tape across the line for me to run through as the first female. That felt quite cool. A good experience, unfortuantely no photographs to accompany the occassion, just my memories...

A change is as good as a rest?

2009-09-27T12:34:00.000-07:00

One week and one day after finshing a race in complete agony. I find myself on the start line of another race. From 100k to 5k. My mind would have previously struggled with the point of putting my trainers on to run for only 5k. Today I am excited, energised and full of enthusiasm. My sole objective for today's race is to run confidently from start to finish. Know no fear as far as my ankle is concerned. The news support has been standing up well to test so far, now to see how it copes with speed and effort....
Very bumpy and eneven grass to start with. For nearly 1k I ran with my eyes glued to the ground, checking out every bump and lump, wanting no surprises, no stumbles. The onto dry mud path, easier to assess the surface but trecherous with all the tree roots and muddy ruts.
I knew I was running close to front of the race, knew that I had just overtaken the lead female. Whilst this did give me a nice feeling of confidence, I was prepared that I could be overtaken later and that was ok. Winning a 5k was not today's objective.
My second objective for the race was to raise my heart rate to a higher level that I ever achieve in training. I still do not know what my maximum heart rate is. Minimum so far recorded is 35bpm, maximum an unknowm and probably will not be determined until I am properly lab tested (lab test is on my long list of "to do's!).
And so back to the race.... Nearly took a wrong turn in my enthusiasm, marshall shouted at me just as I started heading left instead of right after the 4k marker. My breathing was heavy, heart and lungs working hard. Sunglasses steaming up (ahh the perils of loaning my precious Oakleys to someone else), legs and arms pumping hard. Thinking about it... am I allowed to blame poor vision due to "misted over" sunglasses for wrong turns...?
I eased back a little over the final 1k, wanting to ensure that I had something left for the final sprint finsh. Ankle feeling strong, I went for it. Pushed those last few metres and finished the race. First female to cross the line. For me a new experience. Winning a 5k race!
Gulping down lots of water, I waited contentedly for my friend to finish the 10k race. Can one feel contentment if one's heart rate is somewhat excessive? To me it certainly felt like contentment, and also a feeling of hope. A new hope freshly planted within my mind and body.
The offer of a pub lunch was put to me. My immediate thought was how can I have a relaxing dinner before I have a post run shower. Panic set in, being a creature of habit it was not what I do. There is a routine that must be followed. Runners etiquite surely?
But hey, ho, something definitely changing within me as I was persuaded by my friend to go for that pub lunch. And you know what... it was one of the best lunches I have ever had! Valuable lesson learned.

Fall off the horse, get right back on...

2009-09-25T11:56:00.000-07:00

By the following day, I was already forming a plan in my mind as to the way forward.
My mind felt so positive and strong,
Back to basics, forget Ultra Running for a while. Let my body rest and ankle recover. Surgery if necessary, try a new support immediately. I would run again. Would run confidently and without fear (that was the worst part of THE race. the fear).
Start with short distances, 5k, 10k, see how it goes.
Immediate phone call to ankle consultant. Appointment made, scan awaits...
Meeting with new sponsor. Two new supports to try. The ones I had my eye on for some time...
As I pulled on the support I felt very apprehensive. Like wearing an open toes boot inside my trainers. Lace up and stap on, the try to fit within a shoe!
But it works. I does not put pressure upon my ankle. Does not force it where it does not want to go. And it feels surprisingly comfortable. So much so that I wore it for a full 12 hours solid as I walked around London City centre (reason why I was there is another story, for another day...).
Running felt good. Wearing the correct trainers, i.e. neutral and NOT supportive, combined with this support and I felt hope in a way that I had not for a while.
Time to put it to the test and attempt a 5k race next Sunday...

Commonwealth Post Mortem

2009-09-23T11:41:00.000-07:00

Even before I finished the race I was performing a post portem within my mind. Where/ why did it go wrong.
There is a simple answer. Me - my pig headedness, stubborness and lack of money.
The first thing that the medic told me post race in the first aid tent after I collapsed was that I was wearing the wrong ankle support for my condition. She believed that it was causing me more problems that it was solving. Pushing the joint out of alignment and forcing it to try and preserve my already vulnerable ankle by collapsing.
Had I sought physio treatment for ankle and hip this would probably have been highlighted and I would have been advised to try other types of support. Much like the one I have had my eye on for several weeks but could not afford to buy, and did not want to take a risk do close to THE race.
A new era for Sandra is just about to begin.

The Commonwealth Championships

2009-09-21T11:13:00.000-07:00

Where to start....
This was supposed to be THE race. The one where it all came together. Two years of preparation...
Didn't turn out quite as expected. Bit of an anti climax really, but huge and amazingly positive outcomes.
Physical and mental preparation going into this race easily surpassed any before. Rested, relaxed and enthusiastic. Training had been going well, only downfall being my hip niggle and significant ankle problems that have haunted me all year. Only had to hold together for one more race and then time to rest and get that long over due ankle operation.
Being part of the Scottish team and knowing so many people from other competing countries and organisational staff allowed me to truly feel at home all during the weekend in Keswick. So many friends and family there to support me was at times almost overwhelming. Even having the dogs there contributed to this amazing jigsaw puzzle of an experience. The full picture upon it being a big beaming and smiling Sandra!
Having someone there always to help and support me was extremely liberating and made me realise how important help and support is. How much of a difference it can make. I owe a great deal of gratitude to this person. I do not think words alone can express just how it felt to me. Contentment is hard to find, especially under stressful situations such as a race. I felt several waves of contentment during Keswick. Contentment even though it went so wrong. So far off plan. Time 10:22. Collapse at finish. Tears throughought. Scared to run. Fear of putting weight on my ankle. The one thing that I so wished would not let me down.... Did. Can I say that? Can I make that conclusion. Was it the ankle, or was it the mind?
I started the race cautiously, as I always do. Pace myself and allow my body to get into a good rythym by half way.
Food and drink worked well - no upset tums or discomfort. Notes taken for next time...
By 40k I was in trouble. Pain in my ankle that was intermittent, but very intense at its worst. Co-codamol was at the ready and quickly devoured (funny how personal medicinal taking ethics get thrown out the window when it suits..). Then pain went frombad to worse. Ankle started collapsing, giving way on tight bends and uneven surfaces. The tears started, then the panic set it. 60k to go on an ankle that could not take the pounding.
Everytime I passed the drinks station was hell. Seeing family and friend's faces. Them feeling my pain and not knowing what to do. I felt guilty. So guilty for what I was putting them through. I wanted to stop. Wanted to do the "correct sporting"thing. Save myself for another day, another race. Bu the Sandra determination and committment to persevere at all costs shone through. Some choice words from several people reminding me that this was not just any race. This was THE race.
I had to walk. Had to rest my ankle and rest my mind. Do not know how long I walked for, just had to. Broke many rules during the race (re outside assistance, moral support), but I don't think anyone would have disqualified me. Not when I was so far behind all the other runners.
I can feel as I write that I want to get this piece over with quickly. Short sentances, precise words. Not checking phrases, spelling,wording. Just ploughing on to the finish...
I did finish. And I collapsed as soon as I crossed the line. To much effort on body and mind. And apparently overdose of codeine tablets!

My own experience aside, there were some absolutely amazing perfomances during the actual race part of the race. Both male and female winners excelled themselves. Every time they passed me they looked so calm an composed. Strong and tactful running. Impressive to see and experience from the outside. Well done you all. Every who came, saw and conquered whatever battle they had within their mind. Ultra running at its best!!

World Championships: The Race

2009-06-26T22:29:00.000-07:00

This time last week I was one hour into the run of my life. One hour of my first World Championship race representing Great Britain, and already I was struggling badly.

I am sitting here with a delicious Leffe in a very special glass (acquired from Belgium) reflecting upon the race.

I finished in 8:58, 24^th female overall, 15^th European. Way off my target, the result does not tell the story. One hour into last week’s race and I was already revising my objective. 8:20 was not a reality, and to just finish was going to be a very tough challenge….

I felt very nervous in the hours before the race, nervous but also excited and confident that I had prepared well and was in good form. I had some cramps in my stomach, but I dismissed them as nerves or possibly just one of the perils of being a female – very inconveniently my body had reminded me the day before of the fact that I am a female of child bearing age!

The start was very congested and completely disorganized as the start marshals tried to make us all reverse into the marathon runners, never a good idea and everyone was getting squashed like little sardines in a tin.

The smells on the start were almost overpowering: personal odours; strong deodorants; muscle spray-ons; garlic sweat; bottom burps – it really is a weird place to be. And if you have a good sense of smell you really do suffer!

And then we were off. 8pm local time, 7pm UK time. The race had begun.

It took a while for me to get into my stride, dodging and diving between runners, trying to settle into my 100k pace. I had a target of 8:20, which meant that each 5k should be around 25 minutes, 50 mins for 10k. I reached the first 5k in 24 minutes and 45 seconds, 10k in just under 50 mins. I passed Adrian and he confirmed my pacing, told me not to go any faster. I was happy with that.

I started to feel more intense cramps in my stomach and knew that I would require a toilet break soon. I was starting to think also of food to take on board and at the next stop I took a Freddo frog and bottle of High5. Normally I would be taking water at this time, but I did not worry, thinking that it would be good to get some extra carbohydrates into my system as early as possible. Mistake number 4 (I will explain 1,2 & 3 later).

Within minutes my Freddo frog had left me and was destined to end his life drowning in High 5, somewhere in the Belgium countryside.

I did not panic and took some water at the next station. Too early to worry…

The race itself was a 20k loop between two towns, Torhout and Lechtervelde, both towns enjoying party celebrations throughout the night – a carnival atmosphere being had by all.

As I ran through Torhout for the second time, something was wrong inside me. The cramps were intensifying and I knew that I had to find the portaloo soon. There were none. I kept running; hoping to make the countryside, make the security of space and obscurity. It did not happen. I will spare you the details, but I do offer sincere apologise to the locals sitting on the park bench and I offer thanks to trees and thick bushes.

At the next stop I took on more isotonic drink, trying to replace the fluids and fuel so forcibly ejected from my body. The cramps subsided a little and I got to think more of the race and enjoy the Belgium countryside.

We passed delightful little bouncing lambs, numerous young foals and fields of cows. The Belgium cows are amazing, they look like bulls due to their massive rumps. Huge muscular hind legs and they are very long in body as well. I wonder if they have been "designed" to produce the best rump steak? I remember that I have my steak challenge ahead...

All along the route there were many locals outside their country houses, but not many offer words of encouragement. They are just silent watchers.

More isotonic drink at the next stop and determined optimism that I would replenish my body and get through this bad patch.

My body decided otherwise and ejected the isotonic drink. I felt despair, it happened just as I entered Lechtervelde and right in front of the locals. I continued running, but considered stopping. Turning around, walking back to the last drinks station and Adrian.

And then the most amazing thing happened….

A little boy and little girl came running up to me, I think they were brother and sister. The boy had his arm outstretched and nestled in his palm was a little bundle of mints. He offered them up to me with such insistence that I could not say no. I put them in my mouth and hoped for the best. He then moved to my right hand side and his little sister came on my left with her arm also outstretched. There was nothing in her palm and I did not understand at first what she was trying to do. I hesitated and then reached out to touch her hand. And she grabbed my hand, grabbed it with all her strength and held on. As I ran she ran with me, holding my hand and grasping her teddy close to her body. She was a beautiful little girl with dark features and long flowing hair. Her face was so alight and she looked so happy. She gave me something that I was in fear of losing. She gave me hope and energy combined. I think I stole some of her energy, although maybe not stole as she gave so freely. It was an amazing moment running through the town and a memory that stuck with me for the rest of the race and beyond.

Renewed determination, I revised my objective. Time did not matter in this race, I just had to finish and learn from the mistakes that I had made. Learn from them in time for the Commonwealths. It did not matter if it took me ten hours to get round. I just had to do it.

I quickly tried to think of which foods could help me best. I opted for Rego. Liquid carbohydrate and protein combined and also my “comfort” bottle. Mistake number 5 was to guzzle this bottle way too quickly…..

Back though Torhout, de-javu looking for that portaloo. I didn’t even make it to the bushes. I am so, so, sorry to anyone that had the misfortune of seeing the consequences of body rejecting food. At least darkness offered some privacy!

Now I was worried. Nowhere near halfway yet and I was in trouble. I have never been here before and I did not know what to do.

And so I asked for help. I told Carolyn (a brilliant support manager and exceptional Ultra Athlete, still holding at least one World Record) what was happening and asked her what I could do. Coca Cola and little bits of banana was her advice as she handed me some. I do not like coca cola so to drink it is not the most pleasant experience. I nibbled the banana and hoped for the best.

By now I was very aware that countryside toilets do not offer the same facilities that our homes do, no toilet paper or wet wipes. I will spare you the details, but offer some advice. If you are ever in the same situation do not use High 5 as an alternative, and do not do it in front of a feeding station! To the Irish lady, whose name I did not get – thank you, you were my saving angel!

It took a while, but the coca cola and banana did help. I stopped feeling sick, the cramps subsided and I started feeling some energy within my body.

For the next while, I drunk lots of coke and water, but found that I was stopping every half an hour to relieve my bladder. I felt very dehydrated and probably was upon reflection as there are no electrolytes in coca cola; therefore my body was probably not absorbing most liquid efficiently.

I had some Nuun (electrolyte drink) and tried some muffins, they were yummy and a good alternative to carrot cake.

My hope to finish remained strong and this in return willed my body into a stronger response and I found that my running was strong and determined.

In the early part of the race I had a vision of me running the final lap through the town of Torhout with a Union Jack in one hand and a Saltire in the other. I shared my vision with Adrian and he promised to help me make it happen. I felt goose bumps as I thought of it, felt deep emotion within my body.

I spent much time within the race thinking of all my friends and family. I remembered everyone’s pre race words and felt their spirits by my side, willing me on. Different people and different words appearing in my mind on different stretches of the route -memories constantly being triggered by different stimuli.

My legs felt very strong, and my mind was focused and determined.

I finally plucked up the courage to look at my watch and had the clarity of mind to work out what time I could anticipate to finish in. I realized that I must have picked up the pace as my ETA was now around nine hours. If I could really pull something out of the bag I might be able to make sub nine. This realization spurred me on. My last time check had me coming home in ten hours, now I could still make the Commonwealth Championship time (again as I have already gone sub nine on two previous occasions).

I was now going to complete my sixth 100k. From six starts I would have six finishes – pretty good statistic. Each one has given me something different, something to learn from to make me stronger, prepare me for September’s race.

I reached the second last feed station and saw both Adrian and Carolyn, felt their encouragement and took their advice. 5k to the last feed station and then only 2k after that. Neither spoke of time to me, but I knew, and I knew that it was very close.

The 5k between feed stations was the longest 5k that I have ever run, it just went on and on. My body felt strong, but it felt like the clock was moving faster than time itself and each stride was taking me further from my 9-hour target. I barged through the final station, not daring to stop for anything. Carolyn was ahead of me with both flags, the plan to hand them to me further down the road when there was no danger of them slowing me down or adding to my tiredness. I gave chase after her, like dog chasing hare. I was running after a World Champion and I was going to catch her….

We reached the town and I was given my treasures. Union Jack in left hand, Saltire in right I flew through the town arms high above my head. It was amazing and the pride in me was overwhelming. I was flying and chasing the clock, it waited for me, felt like it stopped for me, helped me at the end. I reached the finish. 8:58:12.

So what were my mistakes, where did I go wrong? Food. I did things differently and completely underestimated the affects:

Spaghetti Bolognese the night before – I reacted badly the following morning and throughout the day. I chose to over rule my gut feeling not to eat it. I did not want to create a scene, appear fussy and not trying to fit in.

Late lunch and accepting something I had not ordered because it was so late and I was panicking that I had to eat something. Again my gut feeling told me no, and I chose to over rule it.

Cheap cereal (alternatives to what I know works for me) just before the race - trying to save money proving ineffective

I had also planned on wearing my ankle support from the start of the race, at the last minute I decided against that plan. From 20k I was feeling intense pain and it collapsed several times before I put my ankle support on. My right knee also caused me distress later in the race, giving way several times and I think this was due to the excessive strain when my ankle was hurting most or possibly related to the hip problem.

Plus there is also the fact that I had returned from China only days before the race

I have been dealing with a hip injury since March, and quit treatment in the lead up to the race purely because I could not afford it

And I discovered yesterday from a blood test, that I have been fighting a viral infection for some time, which could explain a lot of my flu like symptoms of late….

World Championships: The Opening Ceremony

2009-06-19T10:37:00.000-07:00

It was over so quickly.

The parade of athletes through the town and then each country's athletes individually introduced to the crowd. Heather and I carried the flag together, proud to be carry the heart of a nation onto the stage.

A Scottish saltire was given to me by a good friend. I draped the scarf around me as we walked to the Pasta Party and it stayed with me throughout the evening. First and foremost I am British, but I am proud to be a Scotswoman. I am the only Scottish person running at these Championships, I will run to make you all proud!

The pasta part was cool, I even managed a huge bowlful of pasta - unusual for someone who is not a fan of pasta!

I met more people from different countries, sharing experiences and hopes for the race.

I was even interviewed by the IAU, the worlds biggest ultra running organisation - bit like the IAAF I think, only for Ultra Running. The interview will be posted on the website - wow!

Looking through all the teams and their best times, it is easy for me to feel extremely intimidated, feel as though I should not be here amongst these phenomenal athletes.

But, I remind myself that I am here on merit, I may not be the best but I have earned the right to run amongst these people. I am only just starting out on my journey at this level, I have time to gradually improve it takes time and I have that. I just need to be patient and realistic too. This week is about experience, realising a dream and taking that forward to my next dream.

This morning my body feels weird. I have rested in a way I have never before. I slept for nearly nine hours! Every part of me feels sluggish and heavy, but worried I am not. My clever body is preserving itself for the biggest race of its life. I know when the time comes that the energy will be there. The pain I feel in ankle and hip will have subsided and body and mind will be strong.

I have prepared all my drinks and food for this evening. There are nine hours to go....

World Championships Eve

2009-06-18T14:00:00.000-07:00

I am finally in Belgium, relaxing and mentally preparing for tomorrow's race.

The journey was long yesterday, Salisbury to Torhout - 9:15 am - 8:30 pm before we reached our destination. It was an exciting journey, met with many unexpected events, including a telephone interview with Scotland's biggest Sunday paper!

I do not feel nervous at the moment, but that will come. The opening ceremony is in two hours time and I believe that it will be a phenomenally emotional event for me - perhaps when it really sinks in. I will get to carry the flag of Great Britain, proudly carry it during the ceremony - it might be the moment of a life time.

I have met many of the other athletes, from many different countries and have been welcomed by all - even those that do no speak English. There have been Germans, Hungarians, Mexicans, Australians, Canadians....

I have also been around the course (by car) and for the first time ever in a race, I have a pacing plan. I have been discussing the race with Team Manager and Coach and seeking as much advice as possible - they are here to help me, and help me they most certainly are.

I feel like I am being treated as a princess by all around me, and this happening because of my love of running

HONG KONG 香港

2009-06-14T13:31:00.000-07:00

WOW, what a day.

It began with an early morning run round Shanghai nineteen hours earlier, progressed to an Audit of a multi national Company, confirmation of another business trip to a different continent and finally a midnight run around Hong Kong.

I am in awe of the opportunities that I am being given.

The run around Hong Kong was not planned. Arrival at the hotel was late and the intention was to have a drink and do a little sight seeing. I was going to attempt a very short run the following morning before departure from the hotel at 5:45 am. Situation changed and I found myself spontaneously deciding to explore this city in the best way possible that I know – running!

I had no running clothes left, so had to improvise and run in alternative clothing. I wonder if wonder bra would like me to advertise alternative uses of their merchandise…. Thank fully I did not receive any unwarranted attention due to the fact that I was running around a city in my underwear and a freebie t-shirt! I actually felt very safe running around the city

The view of Hong Kong by night is breathtaking, amazing structures, buildings and symphony of magical lights everywhere. They say it is a city that never sleeps at night. I believe them.

I had experienced many bright lights in the areas of China already visited, but the comparison to the crisp, clear colours and contours of Hong Kong was phenomenal. Lights combined with smog and poverty, versus lights in clean crisp air and wealth.

My mind was hazing as I was running, awe struck and the adrenalin pumping through my body contributing to the effect. A week of virtually no sleep and a body still living in UK time I think I am living on adrenalin at the moment. I will crash soon I know, perhaps on the long flight home tomorrow I will catch up and recovery will be swift.

I was running with camera in one hand, trying to take photographs as I ran through the city. Reviewing them later on my computer I see that none are focused, they are all hazy and blurry due to the night-lights and inappropriate camera/ settings. I do not mind. These photos will be an everlasting memory of this once in a lifetime run. The blurs, haziness and general haphazardness of this run will be etched in them forever.

I ran erratically around the buildings, aiming for the harbour but wanting to take the long route to get there in order to absorb as much of Hong Kong as possible.

I found the path beside the Peak tram first - I would never have thought it possible to power a train up the steepness of this track. I would love to ride this train, all the way to the top and experience the view of Hong Kong by day. Next visit…

Following this path, very steep steps all the way down into Central, I picked up the Bank of China building and decided to use this as my base. No matter where I was in the city I could look and see the white triangles and know that I could make it safely back to the hotel. It was my beacon.

I do not know the names of any of the streets that I ran along, I ran back and forth, along streets, paths and bridges. All the way to the harbour and the lights across the bay.

I was disappointed to discover that the harbour has odours that are not very pleasant. It seems some how inappropriate in such a clean and wealthy city. I assume that the “Fragrant Harbour” translation for ‘Hong Kong” is not due to the smell that I experienced?

By the time I reached the harbour, humidity had taken affect and my clothes were adhered to my body, saturated in dampness. Thank goodness for electrolyte drinks as I guzzled half one pint in a matter of seconds.

I remained in the harbour area for a few minutes, time to let my liquid fuel take affect and to daydream across the bay….

I felt the urge to speak to my friends and family. I had my phone and spoke to several, wanting to share this moment with them, others I could not reach.

My next target was the large ICF Tower, the one where Christian Bale, AKA Batman jumped from in the Dark Knight. (I had this very fact reiterated to me when we exited the train station only one hour earlier - I felt goose bumps at the time, emotion strong as I gazed open mouthed at the tower and its little companion tower with the same top.)

I wanted a photo of both ICF buildings, preferably both towers in one shot to show the comparison.

I did get the view, see the sight of both ICF towers, unfortunately my camera did not share the same clarity with which I enjoyed the experience!

I ran through a shopping mall, ran past the signs for every designer known to man I think. I have heard of most, but never owned any of their clothes, or any of their accessories Perhaps one day I will. Perhaps one day I can walk in one of their shops and leave with a treasured possession. Something that I will only ever wear or carry on the most special of occasions, a time in the future when I live like a princess. Golly gosh, I think over tiredness is starting to kick in!

I ran past a line of the special red taxis, so symbolic of Hong Kong. The same style taxi that helped us from station to hotel, and back again.

I headed for my white triangled building, my beacon for the return journey home to hotel and bed. I did not want to go to bed, to end this evening, but I knew that if I continued to run tomorrow would be hard, I would be sleepy and near exhaustion. I must get some sleep, must remember that I have a World Championship event to run in one week’s time.

Reaching the BOC building signified the start of my steep climb up the hill (of name I know not) and back to the hotel. Running up the steep stairs beside the tram was tough. Fatigue beginning to affect my legs, make them heavy and tight.

I ran past one “lady of the night”, the first that I have ever seen…. I felt sad when I saw her. Sad that for her, and the job that she feels she must do. And I feel sad for the people that pay her.

I make it back to the hotel. My body feels so alive with the buzz, the energy of the city providing the charge. I feel emotional for what I have just shared.

Sleep will not come easily for me tonight, I do not want to close my eyes and leave this place.

World Championship Training: Night Time Running

2009-06-06T13:36:00.000-07:00

It has been said to me on several occasions that I am very lucky to have what I have, and be able to do what I do. I personally do not believe in "luck" per se. Yes, I am fortunate to have been given the opportunities, (which I have taken) to experience some of the events that I have.

I want to share one such opportunity, one of these experiences with you, allow you to decide whether I am lucky or something else..

DRRRRRIIIIIIING!! It is 12:35 am; my alarm has rudely awakened me after less than two hours sleep. I leap out of bed and pull on my running clothes that were strategically placed by my bed only hours before. As I change from pyjamas to running clothes, I realize that I must have been very restless in my sleep as my bedclothes are damp from my sweat.

I do not even stop for coffee, just pick up my running belt with Freddo frog and gel bar inside, take an pre made up special drinks bottle from the fridge and head out the door, strapping a head torch to my midriff as I exit.

Yes, at this ridiculous time of night I am going running - two hours is the plan.

I am doing this because my 100k race will be run over night and I have never done that before.

This morning I do not take the dogs with me, I am running alone. Running into the dark of the night.

It has just started raining, light drops cold and sharp upon my skin. I consider turning back to get my waterproof jacket, but decide against it and push on, hopefully it will only be a cooling shower…

As I run through the village, I am aware that everything feels different, the sounds and smells feel strange to me. There are few cars around, no people, no birds singing - no signs of life apart from the breath escaping from my mouth.

I feel my heart rate quicken, adrenalin pumping through my veins and I realize that I am scared. There could be strange people around, drunken louts or worse. I am out with my comfort zone and miss the dogs.

For 25 minutes I run on heightened alert, constantly planning escape routes if any situation should arise. At 24 minutes and 32 seconds, I make my escape from fear. I turn of the road and into the security of the countryside. In my mind I have reached a safe zone. My heart rate lessens and I start to relax.

The rain has intensified now and I begin to realize that it might remain for the rest of my run. I hear a rumble in the distance that sounds like very heavy traffic, and yet it does not… Then suddenly all before me lights up in a flash of what appears to be bright blue light. I am in the middle of a thunderstorm!

I hesitate, unsure whether to be enthralled or petrified. It is exciting, but I feel that I should be wary, worry about the potential threat to my safety.

The rain is heavy now, soaking all my clothes and dripping down my face. My gloves can only absorb so much and I know that before long they will be saturated and my hands cold.

I am unsure of the path that I am now running on, it seems flatter than when I normally run in daylight, flatter and wider and I feel very close to the pigs (who were all safely in their sleeping quarters, little snorty noises to be heard every now and again.

I start feeling uncomfortable, I do not feel familiar with this track. I continue for a while longer, becoming more hesitant with each stride. I think I have taken a wrong turn, I do not know when but I now know that I am not heading in the correct direction. I turn around, heading back where I came from. This error unsettles me, as I am completely unaware of when it happened. Logic tells me that I cannot actually get lost (just always head for the lights of the Factory that I see in the distance) but the fear of the unknown is strong. I reach the main track and instantly know what happened. I over ran my exit by one metre. I ran on the opposite side of the fence and was actually running in the piggies playground. The electric fence is closed over during the day, this evening it was open. For about ¼ mile I was actually running parallel to the track I should have been on!!

Even though I now know without doubt that I am on the correct track, I still feel uncomfortable for a few minutes, every shadow, tree and ridge in the track appearing alien to me, not part of my in built mind map of the area.

The rain is relentless now, intensity increasing as time progresses.

I start thinking of my bed, the place that I leapt from just one hour ago. I want to be back there, snuggled under the duvet. Warm and cozy, sweet dreams filling my mind. It will not be, I am on a mission and my mission does not end for another one hour.

I am now running very close to a place where I once had a very happy memory of what was and remains to this day, the most amazing feeling that I have ever experienced. The happy memory of this place was ultimately overridden by sad memories, extreme sadness, betrayal and loss. But even then, I still remember what it feels like to have that amazing feeling; it is forever ingrained in my mind. For a few moments I relive the sadness, mourn that past life, and that in turn takes my mind back to the race of my life, the only race that I have ever run in the dark. In the darkness of my mind and also the darkness of the night - I remember it well. That race gave me so much; I found something in me that I did not think possible, found something that I now understand and have allowed to grow.

I have no regrets.

In the end he did not share my dream, did not want to share me. That was what he wanted, his choice, we all make choices and grow from them. They shape us into what we become. I became stronger, more determined to succeed. One day to have that feeling again and it to remain with me forever.

Now is not the time for negative reflection, I have done all that, made the decision to move on and learn from the experience. Now is the time to persevere in what has become a major thunderstorm!

I cannot feel my fingers; they have gone numb with the cold. My feet are squelching within my shoes as I run through roads and tracks that have become rivers. Splash in and out, with not many outs.

I want my bed, I want warmth dryness and I want sleep. I want to wear my GBR warm up suit – so comfortable and cozy. I want these things, but at the same time I am glad to be where I am, enjoying what I am doing. How many people can do this, how many could actually be determined and focused to such an extent that they would take this sort of thing in their stride like water of a duck’s back…

There is another blinding flash of light and I catch sight of an object moving rapidly towards me along the ground and at speed. It takes me a split second to realize that it is a young rabbit heading straight towards my feet. Whether blinded by my torchlight or the lightening strike I do not know, but this poor rabbit appeared very disorientated. I moved slightly to the right, but even then I could not avoid contact with this little fellow. I do not think that he was hurt, I am even unsure if he was aware of the close danger, he hurtled away into the dark and hopefully the safety of his burrow.

The rest of my run is uneventful, just me foundering along in the dark river, all of my body numb with cold. I do no fear that I will not making it home, I know that I will.

With one mile to go my ankle suddenly starts aching, there was no specific reason, no trip nor fall, but the ache was intense reminding me of my vulnerability. Reminding me that my dream could still be take from me prematurely.

As I turn the corner to home I think of the question “am I lucky”? My answer for tonight is “this is not luck, this is one of the reasons why I am a Champion”!

Home at last, (I have run for 2 hours and one minute) it takes me several minutes to open the door, I cannot turn the key within the locked door - my hands are so cold. They are so numb that they cannot function properly. Just as I ready myself to waken my housemate, I manage to twist my hand in such a way that the key turns and door opens into a warm and dry world.

I go to bed fully clothed in my GBR warm up suit – it takes me several hours to warm up! My body has been completely chilled to the bone.

I fall asleep with pleasant contentment of mission accomplished. I will awaken in several hours and go for a one-hour run with the dogs. Why? Because I can…..

A Very Historical Event

2009-06-05T22:13:00.000-07:00

Guess what.... the temptation was too much!

I went for a very little run, just to try it out, to experience the dream.

And to the far left, a very historic photograph - the first ever image of me wearing a GBR vest.

The second photo is of a happy dancing puppy, sharing my elation!

Next year Kez will wear the doggy equivalent of a GBR vest when he represents GBR at the CANIX European Championships!

When The Dream Starts to come Alive

2009-06-05T17:10:00.000-07:00

I expected tears. Phenomenal emotion as I opened the special box. It arrived this morning, my GBR kit - clothes that money cannot buy! There is so much, so many items that I am almost lost for words. Speechless.

Today is a "rest" day, I am not supposed to run. How can I resist the temptation to run this evening. To run and experience a GBR vest for the first time in my life. A lifetime's dream achieved.....

Lunch time Running in London

2009-06-03T10:14:00.000-07:00

Here’s a nice little lunch time run – 38 minutes at easy pace. Just long enough to blow out the morning cobwebs, returning fully energized for an afternoon’s hard slog in the office.

It was one of those almost spontaneous runs, no serious planning, just a request from a friend, and as I write, just realized it was my first run around London with another person!!

The aim was to get to Green Park, one of London’s parks, where it would be a little quieter and more relaxing than running around busy streets.

Of course several busy streets have to be negotiated first, so bracing ourselves we surge forth amidst a sea of city dwellers….

Leaving Great Newport Street we headed through China Town, where I temporarily got lost in the moment. I am going to visit China next week for the first time. I am very excited and yet very nervous. Travelling alone – big adventure, but big scary too. What if I get lost, cannot eat or struggle to sleep (big worry the week before a World Championship race). Lost in the moment of China/ Town I drift along, smelling the smells and taking in the sights of what feels like a different world.

We exit China Town and head down a congested street (I will look at my map when I get home, but I think we were heading to Piccadilly Circus/ Regent Street.). People everywhere, we duck and dive, covering many extra yards as we bounce from window front, to edge of pavement. I think of the dogs, the fun we could have playing slalom games upon the streets of London. Probably scaring the nation as a pack of wolves careers down City Streets!

It is fun. I feel invigorated as we charge down the streets. Feel powerful, as we are running and others only walking. I would love to be like the Pied Piper, the man whom all the rats follow by music, only I want others to follow me running. Want them to feel the invigoration, the energy and the freedom that running brings – the world that can open up to you.

We reach Green Park and breathe a wee sigh of relief. We have space now to run full stride (if we wanted, but lets keep it easy pace for now) and head right in the park heading towards Hyde Park.

There is now a mass of runners before us, so different from the streets only minutes before. These runners are heading in all directions, all in their own little worlds – some with earphones, some with friends, others merely with their own thoughts.

Today I have some of my thoughts, plus also words shared with a friend, my running companion for the day. I am not used to running with others and not used to holding a conversation as I run. I feel my breathing affected, feel my body reacting differently to the variation in oxygen uptake. It is not bad, just different and I am enjoying the companionship and sharing of time and space. Too often running is my world alone, where I go to escape from others and deal with pain and my own mind demons. Or at least I used to, in what now feels like a previous life. Now I run for fun and with intent. A deep desire to follow and pursue my dream until the end.

We reach Hyde Park Corner and enter the park, turning right and running along the sand for a few short strides, thinking of beaches and the salty sea, summer suns and BBQs. Galloping bareback on a grey Spanish horse, mane and hair flying in the wind. It is amazing how creative the mind can be when running upon ground prepared for horses living in the City!

We run partially around Hyde Park before taking a left at one of the Cross Roads, heading towards the Serpentine. Admiring the view of Kensington in the distance we think – our geography might need a little work…

The ducks and geese are aplenty on this path, ambling merrily along between water and path. If only they knew that the previously committed vegetarian is now looking at them and thinking how much iron does your body have, if I can eat deer, can I eat you…?

Food cravings not satisfied, we leave the ducks alive for now, and head back to Hyde Park Corner and down towards Buckingham Palace.

Running along Horse Guards Parade I am struck by the number of Union Jack flags proudly flying high. I think of the Union Jack that I will soon be wearing across my chest, and remember that I have still not received my precious GBR kit. The clothes that when I wear for the first time will bring me emotion like none I have ever felt before. I believe I will feel a sense of pride that I might well never feel again. The “first time”, in so many areas of our lives is always special, a treasured moment to carry forward through all the tough times we know we will encounter in the future.

We have a final burst towards Trafalgar Square, where I nearly needed to resort to First Aid treatment when my running friend nearly lost her ankle on a misplaced paving slab, slightly proud from its companion.

Trafalgar Square is our finish line today. We walk from there to the office, cooling down and savouring the post run feeling. I look across at the Albannach and remember Saturday night, remember the experience pre, during and post.

Memories are good. If you write a memory, you encapsulate it in time. It is there for eternity. So long as you remember to press the SAVE button.

The Albannach

2009-06-01T11:03:00.000-07:00

As I stand outside the Albannach Restaurant, I feel extreme excitement, and yet overwhelming nervousness. I feel more nervous today than I do when I am standing on the start line at a race, representing my country! I am here to fulfill my challenge. I am here to eat meat and bring to an end a commitment to vegetarianism that I have held for over 20 years. When I leave this restaurant tonight, I will be starting a new commitment in the quest of my dream.

Today I have the support of one of my best friend’s and the person that I consider the closest thing to my soul mate. He has helped me reach this point, helped me decide that I can do this, which is why I chose to share this very special occasion with him.

He reassuringly touches me as we enter through the doors.

Gorgeously glamorous, devilishly decadent and seductively smart, Albannach is London’s finest, contemporary Scottish bar and restaurant. I feel a sense of pride as we walk into the bar. Proud of my Scottish heritage, of being a Scottish Champion and pleased that this restaurant resides in the City of London.

We are immediately met by Stuart Bale, the Manager for the evening and fully briefed on “my challenge”. It is good to hear a familiar accent and I start feeling less tense and more excitement about the evening. Coincidently, Stuart’s hometown in Scotland is only minutes from the town of my birth.

We decide to start the evening by experiencing some of the delicious cocktails in the comfort of the luxurious sofa seating. Sitting and relaxing in such sumptuous surroundings dressed in Scottish heathers and blues I feel quite at home. Stark black and white Scottish landscape photographs by Charlie Walte adorn the walls, reminding me of some of my favourite places on this earth. The Beauchaille Etive Mor at the head of Glen Etive being just one example

Within minutes I am feeling more relaxed and enjoying the atmosphere of the bar and the buzz of the cocktails pulsing through my body. We spend time enjoying the ambience and catching up with each other’s stories and recent experiences.

Three cocktails later (I think…), Stuart returns and escorts us to the mezzanine restaurant – enclosed by an impressive art nouveau balustrade, the restaurant, with its dark chocolate oak flooring, bronze ceiling and matching mahogany tables welcomes us with open arms.

The menu offers a great selection, but I skim over the dishes, I know what I want and I order immediately. It will be venison, the meat that has highest levels of iron and B12 – pure energy and blood food for me today!

Our starters are scallops with pea puree, which are delicious and quickly devoured by both of us. A few swigs of Rioja Tinto and the main courses arrive….

The dish looks beautiful, presentation immaculate. The venison is sitting upon a bed of scallion mash, with wild mushrooms and asparagus to the side. I look across at my dinner companion’s steak, but take in no details of the dish. My mind is too fixated on what I am about to do, my palms are sweaty and my heart rate racing explosively.

I can do this I tell myself. It is no harder that taking those “yeuchy”-tasting tasting supplements twice every day. I pick up my knife and fork and touch the meat. I start to cut and then hesitate. I see the deer, see him before his life was ended. Running wild across heather and mountain, free spirited and alive a vision of great beauty.

This is hard. He did not feel anything, he did not suffer, probably did not even hear the bang. But still I hesitate because I remember why I stopped eating meat all those years ago. I look across at the steak – I see the cow. I feel a little sick as I think of the different life a cow has compared with a deer. I look back down on my plate, knife poised to make the first cut….

I am surprised at the effort I have to make to cut such a small piece of meat. I am used to slicing straight through vegetables I guess. I raise it to my mouth, and in it goes. I feel eyes all around me, watching to see my reaction, waiting to see me do this. I feel sick, feel nervous and want to leap from my chair and run away. Give up before I start. But I cannot, I feel the pull of my dream and I start chewing.

I chew and chew and chew. Not because the meat is tough, but because as soon as I stop chewing and swallow I have ended a twenty-year run. As I think of “running” I start thinking of my next big run – the World Championships! Remember why I am here, and I swallow.

I like its’ taste. That surprises me and I realise at that point that a new world has just opened up to me. The World of Meat.

I finish the rest of the meal and even manage to try some of the steak.

Feeling pleasantly satisfied, we opt for some delicious desserts of Highland Coffee with tablet and Cranachan, which are soon polished off with gusto.

As we finish our drinks and prepare to leave the restaurant, I feel a sense of contentment and achievement. I have satisfactorily completed another challenge and together with one of my most favourite people, we have experienced an amazing evening and fabulous meal.

I am in gratitude to Jon Laycock, Kate Lester and Stuart Bale for making this event possible, and Head Chef Raphael Nabylon for creating the dish. Eternally grateful to Gaetan for his support helping me create this challenge and sharing it with me.

I know that I will be back to the Albannach soon, return to try some more of their meat options!!

Sandra Bowers

2007 & 2009 100km Scottish Champion

Accepting my own Challenge - Eat Bambi...

2009-04-11T13:57:00.000-07:00

I have been a vegetarian for over 20 years. Not eaten any meat since I was a child.

This is about to change, I am going to eat meat....

I started eating fish last year in order to ensure my body was getting enough protein, omega 3 etc. and also to broaden the variety of food available to me. For the past three months I have been trying desperately to increase the iron (ferritin) levels in my blood. I need this iron to help the oxygen uptake of my blood when I am training, need it to help me improve my running efficiency and ability.

The body needs oxygen in every cell, the iron in hemoglobin (within the red blood cells) carry this oxygen from the lungs to where it is needed. Also if iron levels are low, the body cannot use all the energy available to it, as iron is essential for the chemical reactions that produce energy from food.

I have eaten copious amounts of spinach, and green vegetables, taken vitamin tablets combined with iron supplements (vitamin C assists the absorption of iron). It has not been enough. I have always known that there is no replacement for the haem iron found in meat, other sources provide non-haem iron (cereal, bread, vegetables, eggs) but are not absorbed by the body as effectively as haem iron.

My blood test this week proves that my ferritin levels are still low.

Three months ago I was advised that meat would give my body what it needs. I responded by saying that I closed no door to what I might need do in order to improve, but it would be a huge challenge just to put meat in my mouth, never mind eat it regularly.

I am now preparing myself for one of my biggest challenges yet - I am going to start eating meat. I will do it as a controlled experiment over the next three months. My future could change immensely if it proves successful.

I have researched which meats will fit best for me from a nutritional and also an ethical perspective and have decided that the first meat I want to eat is venison. I apologise to all those dedicated vegetarians out there. I choose to break a long term commitment made as a child, in pursuit of a dream.

I think I might watch Bambi one last time before I do........

When A Dream Becomes a Reality

2009-04-11T12:05:00.000-07:00

Two weeks ago to this very day, I achieved a life time's dream. I regained my Scottish National 100k title in a comfortable personal best time that has earned me qualification to represent Great Britain at the World 100k Championships in Belgium.

The facts are there, medals in my hand and yet I still do not feel the achievement in my body. I say the words, hear the words and yet do not seem ready to accept what I have done, I do not feel the emotion that I know I will. It almost feels like I am in denial - I thought it was only bad things that sent me into denial. This dream is most definitely a good thing! Five years ago I was told that I would never run again because of my ankle injury, five years later I am still running and destined to compete with the world's best endurance athletes. And I have earned the right to be there.

THE RACE

I started the race with no big expectations. I wanted to finish, and wanted to finish sub nine hours. The memory of my last 100k fresh in my mind. Memories of the emotional pain that I struggled with during the race, and memories of my journey as a result of the experience. Although the past few weeks have been physically exhausting (new job, 4 hours daily commute), mentally I am stronger than I have even been. I believe in me fully now. Believe that I can achieve all that I say I will. This belief is a powerful force. As physical energy seeps from my body it waits in the wings and then surges forward gives me extra charge...

I was a little concerned about how my mind would cope with the race course, which was fifty laps up and down the sea front. Not an exciting course, completely flat, but exposed and if there were any substantial sea "breezes" they would take their toll on body and mind. There was also the inevitability of constantly being overtaken by all the faster runners!

I started the race very conservatively, almost felt like jogging as I pottered along all on my own near the back and was soon being overtaken by all the other Scottish ladies. I was keeping an eye on the clock and knew roughly what my lap times were, and so I was surprised by what others were doing in the race - I actually kept thinking that I had my timings wrong and must be running slower than I thought. It worried me a little, but I felt confident and decided that I was going to run my own race and save myself for the later stages when pain normally kicks in. I wanted to try and run as equal splits as possible, and wanted my last mile to be sub seven minute mile pace.

I started eating inside the first hour - good old Freddo the chocolate Frog was the first to fuel me, followed by some gels, mints, bananas and even some baby food. Later in the race I had flapjack and mini rolls. I had an intense craving for carrot cake but there was none - must remember for my next race. The baby food was amazing (strawberry rice in a sachet that I could squeeze easily) and I felt the energy from it very quickly. P.R.N. tried eating it one afternoon this week - yeauch, only tastes nice when you really need it as fuel, not one to eat for pleasure!

When running for nine hours (0k 8.5 hours this time), I have the opportunity to think a lot without any interruptions. No phones, no email, no one demanding that you answer a question or solve a problem. No dogs that need walked or fed, dishes that need washing.... It is an amazing free time that does not come round very often.

People ask me regularly what I think of when I am running. I have shared many of my thoughts through this website. During this race I thought of me, myself and I. Where I have been and where I am going...

I felt extremely comfortable until just before half way, and then disaster. Due to the tight turns on the course my ankle started objecting, pain ensued and I started limping heavily. I started fearing the worst, those words from the doctor of five years ago fresh in my mind. Was it now time to plan my retirement from running? Stop before I have gotten properly started on my racing career? I could feel gut wrenching sadness deep in the pit of my stomach as I considered pulling out of the race. To pull out now would be detrimental to my confidence and I did not want to consider the implications of that. I stopped at the feeding station and put heavy strapping on my ankle in the hope that it would be enough. I also took Ibubrofen, which I have never taken during a race before (I do not like taking any medication under "normal" circumstances), but I had to try anything just to keep running.

The next few laps were extremely tough, physically and mentally. I ran very wide on all the turns to protect my ankle, almost hopping at one point to ensure no unnecessary pressure was placed on the "injury". The pain did settle and I knew that I would be able to continue.

I soon started picking up the pace again, gaining on the people that had lapped me in the first half. As the laps started counting down, (in my world they go up in the first half, down in the second) I began lapping people and was soon in front of all the Scottish ladies. I do have to confess at this point I did get a little buzz. The pull of regaining my Scottish National title was strong. I wanted it back, wanted to go into the Commonwealth Championship as the Champion of my Country. This pull gave me energy, combined with my belief in me and my dreams strong in my mind I felt good. I was a little concerned that I felt too good, was the crash just about to come....? Pride before the fall...

Nine laps to go, then eight, seven, six, five - whoa hold on, I only had five left and yet the lap recorders told me I had six to go! I screeched to a halt and refused to continue until it was resolved.... Ok, that bit didn't really happen but the vision is quite entertaining!

I did question the count, but couldn't really argue and just assumed that I had gotten confused at some point. I did want to stop, but knew that the end was far too close for that. And I was going to earn those two free pints of Guiness!

I had known for some time (by my calculations) that I was on schedule for 8.5 ish hours, even if I had one more lap than I thought it would still earn me a convincing personal best time. My biggest concern at this point was that Izzy (second Scottish female) appeared to be gaining on me and I didn't have my one lap ahead advantage anymore. I have Izzy to thank for my time as she really did push me on, I was so determined not to lose my crown and kept digging every time I saw her on the course. I am so pleased that she achieved such an amazing personal best (knocking off about 50 minutes I think) and has achieved the qualification time for the Commonwealth Championships - well done Izzy!

With two laps to go, everyone suddenly appeared very interested in my time. If I could pick up the pace I would be very close to 8:40, which was GBR qualification time for the World Championships. I had been "pain managing"my entire body for the last two hours and picking up the pace did not seem a possibility, but somehow I did it and managed to finish in 8 hours and 38 minutes. I was so time conscious that I did not even have time to hold the flag properly as I crossed the finish line, I just grabbed it and ran home!

I had finished another 100k, regained my Scottish title, a personal best time and achieved the qualification time to represent Great Britain.

At the prize giving, the GBR team manager said some lovely words about my run and my excellent time of 8:28. I got really embarrassed and flustered as I tried to explain that it was actually 8:38 when I finished.

I then turned to someone else to ask them to remedy this error, to be told "oh yeah, you ran an extra lap - once we checked your lap times it was obvious!"

I have to say, I was not cross in any way. Nice to know that I can actually count during a race though!

The final icing on the cake was on Sunday morning when I was told that I had been selected to represent Great Britain in the team event of the World Championships in Belgium in June 2009. My first GBR vest and the realisation of a dream held ever since I knew who Seb Coe was!

At the start of this post I said that I had not yet felt my achievement. I feel it now. Tears are rolling down my face as I read the words and relive the race. Tears flow as I remember all my dreams as a child, hours of inspiration watching Coe, Ovett and Cram and the races they ran. Sebastian Coe my first ever hero, idolised as a child and my reason for running 800 metres. Little did I know that I would have to run 125 of them in succession to earn my vest!

When Does Alone Become Lonely

2009-03-26T13:43:00.000-07:00

I awoke this morning, feeling very much alone, yet there was someone else in the house with me.

I went running into the middle of the Wiltshire countryside, darkness still in the sky, no-one near me for miles, and yet I did not feel alone. Did not feel lonely.

How does that work?

I think of all the times when I feel alone, even though there are people all around me, when I am in the centre of London for example, one of the busiest places in the world. I can stand there are feel so sad and lonely that I want to cry. And yet there are other times when I feel completely alive, energized by all the people that are surrounding me. Feeding off the buzz of their energy.

I believe that the times I feel truly lonely are the times that I want to share myself, share my life and feel I am not. It has been several years since I last truly shared my life with another. Most of the time I can accept that. I am a fiercely independent person and I can provide, or find a way to provide for most of my needs. But there are times when I crave more. Times when I want to share my life and me with others. I can do this with friends, and even work colleagues to a certain extent, but they will never fully share my life.

Take this morning for example. I tend to wake a little negatively minded in the morning, I think the mind demons awaken at night and it takes a while for them to fall asleep, to be replaced by the shining gods of the mind. There are exceptions to this. When I awake in another person's arms the phrase "contentment" springs to mind. I do not believe it possible to feel contentment and loneliness at the same time.

Continuing on with this morning's example, how did I get from feeling lonely and not being alone, to being alone but certainly not lonely?

I think that when the mind demons take over they steal a little part of me. I lose me when they are in power. It does not take long for me to make them go sleep - I do not think that they like exercise so they leave me when I run! They quietly make swift their exit and those shining gods come alive. I can never be lonely when these shining gods are around. They give me back myself and as long as I have that then I will never be lonely.

That is probably why I enjoy running and writing so much. The two doth combine very well. I am sharing myself as I write, it is almost like having a conversation with another person. And it allows me to see structure within my thoughts. Why do I think this, why do I think that? By writing I can focus on the question that I am actually tryin.g to ask, and by focusing I can normally come up with a pretty good and strong opinion

Training: Day 15

2009-03-25T13:04:00.000-07:00

Plan: 75 mins to include 45 mins at marathon pace

Reality: 30 mins easy with four dogs, 45 mins @ perceived MP, followed by 1o mins easy. PM - 10 mins with dogs, 25 mins easy up Figsbury Hill.

Significant events: Long time since Kai has been up for a morning and evening run. Very much aware that I am not suffering the stiffness in my back now that I have changed the back pack.

Comments: Didn't have my Garmin, but I think my perceived effort was probably a little slower than hoped. Not going to worry about it. "Funny" day resulted in me feeling the need to run in the evening, against my training plan. Sometimes I have to give in to my "wobbles"! Checked out the bruises on my knees and legs today - don't think I will be wearing shorts on Saturday!

Is Guilt the Most Negative Emotion?

2009-03-24T13:57:00.000-07:00

I found my "new hope" this morning. I feel alive, energized and enthusiastic about life. Yes, I do also feel extremely tired, sleepy within my eyes, but fire is burning in me, energy pulsing through my veins.

I thought a lot about "guilt" this morning and the affect that it can have on my mind and actions. I believe that guilt contributed to my sadness yesterday. I know that I have acted a lot in my past based upon guilt - in a variety of situations. And I also know that I can feel "guilty" about some of my actions, some of the things that I do on a day-to-day basis.

I believe it to be wrong to use guilt as a driving force. I feel that this belief is further confirmation that I must ensure I follow through on yesterday's plan and not resort back to a different train of thought, trail of actions. Must not change my mind because I feel "guilty".

I have a tendency to feel guilty about a lot of things. Abandoning my dogs being just one example, i.e. the long hours I am now working away from home, not there for them as pack leader. I have always known that this negatively affects my little paranoid android that is Krofti. He craves the security of leadership, harmony that it provides within the pack, even if he tries to pretend otherwise a lot of the time!

I remember my dream last night. A dream that was created and built on guilt.

"Feeling bored and wanting to find me, the dogs managed to escape from the front door when it was accidently left open. All came back soon with the exception of Kade. He continued searching for me and found someone that looked and sounded a lot like me, but this person gave him more attention and more loving than I do. He liked this for a while but then craved a return to the comfort of his pack. The lady would not let him go and held him captive, sending frequent ransom notes to me. Kade did finally make good his escape and found his way home. As I opened the door to let him in, Kroft dashed out chasing a squirrel in the part. He did not make it across the road. A lorry ran over him and left him crushed and crumpled in the road. I ran over to him, scooping him up in my arms and ran all the way to the vet surgery. It was Sunday and there was no one there willing to help me. I tried pleading, rationalizing, offering great sums of money but no-one would help me. I kept glancing down at his little crushed body feeling utterly helpless. He had become so small again (Krofti has increased a lot in size since his little "operation"). With tears in my eyes and a breaking heart I did not know what to do next. Anything to prolong my time with him..."

This morning I was saved from further despair; my alarm woke me with a start and broke the spell of the horrible dream.

So as you can imagine, the fact that Kroft willingly came running with me this morning had extra meaning for me. Especially the fact that he was the one leading the hunt of the cockerel!

After reading the words that I have just written relating to this dream, I can easily interpret its hidden meaning. Actually the meaning is not even hidden, it is blatantly obvious.

My conclusion can wait for another day...

Training: Day 13

2009-03-24T02:46:00.000-07:00

Plan: AM: 45 mins RR. PM - 45 mins RR.

Reality: 70 mins with three dogs @ 5 am. 30 mins around London @ 12:30 pm.

Significant events: 3 dogs!! Yipee, Krofti wanted to come this morning. Extremely significant after last night's dream!

Comments: Delighted that Kroft came, unfortunately he was in complete "doddle" mode and so I was pulled from behind by him on the left and dragged forwards by Kez on the right! Very sore shin - upon investigation I discovered that I have a huge bruise, souvenir from Sunday's tumble. Somewhat relieved as it felt more like a muscle sprain at one point.

Met an abandoned cockerel this morning. Poor little guy was just wondering aimlessly down the road. I was dragged for about 400 metres by my "wolf killing machines" in full on hunt mode! Just as I thought that in order to preserve my own life I was going to have to allow the cockerel to be sacrificed, he managed to find a hole in the hedge and squeeze through to safety. Whewww.

Lunchtime run included my first visit to the MAC store on Regent Street and then a scenic trip through Horse Guard's Parade - wanted to share my lunchtime carrots with the horses!

The Difference Between Hope and Optimism

2009-03-23T13:15:00.000-07:00

I went to bed last night feeling sad, but too tired to ask myself why.

I awoke this morning feeling sad. I went looking for answers....

I struggled to find myself within my mind last night. Struggled because sometimes I need a helping hand. Sometimes I cannot find what I need on my own.

I did ask someone for help last night. My request for help was met with silence. Absolute silence. It was a simple request, but one that meant a lot to me, was very significant to me. I interpret this silence to be a "no".

Upon receiving this answer, hope flew out the window and I finally realised the reality of the situation, and struggled to accept what I need to accept. This refusal of acceptance forced me down into a temporary little pit. I do not think that I ask a lot from people. I think I am very independent and self sufficient. Perhaps I am wrong, perhaps I need to address this.

Last night, after all my thoughts and words yesterday relating to "hope", I finally lost hope and this hurts.

There are times when hope has to be removed. When it is a fruitless mission to continue. Certainly when the effort to maintain it negatively affects another more serious situation, then one has to be prioritised over the other. I find that hard to accept. I feel like I am being forced to remove it. It is brutally pulled from me, by a negative force.

Or maybe, perhaps maybe I don't have to "lose" it, instead "replace" it with something else - "optimism". Optimism is a positive feeling, based more on a logical train of thought that there will be a positive outcome. It is less emotional than hope and does not provide the same energy or drive, does not provide inspiration - but it is still good!

Therefore I will turn this "lost hope" into 'optimism' based upon the reality of the situation, based upon facts and a logical process of thought.

I do not like when I lose a feeling, I feel as though I have failed. Feel as though I have lost a little part of the essence of what makes me, me.

I will grieve this loss for a short while, but only for a short moment in time. The hardest part from this point forward is that I know for this transformation to work, I need to switch off. The only way to switch off is to close the door. Close the door and lock it shut. No words or sights may pass through. I will not throw away the key, just hide it somewhere safe, one day maybe find it again.

And so, hope turns to optimism. No matter what I will not become a pessimist.

I struggled through the day, mixture of sadness and regrets. This burden held me back today. I will not allow that to be. I cannot wobble just now, it is too important in my evolutionary journey, my progression in life. Therefore my resolve must remain. I must close that door in the knowledge that it might be forever.

Tomorrow brings a new day. And with a new day, a new hope. I know that feeling will be there, bringing with it the person that I have come to like. I do not break promises, and I made a promise to myself not so very long ago. I will always find me again, no matter what it takes I will always be there for myself.

Until the time when someone else can be there for me, unconditionally there for me and I for them.

Training: Day 12

2009-03-23T12:33:00.000-07:00

Plan: 30 mins recovery run

Reality: 49 mins recovery run with two dogs @5:08 am. 15 mins RR with all four dogs @ 7:45 pm.

Significant events: So tired this morning, puffy eyed and sleepy. Knees painful from yesterday, swollen and bruised.

Comments: Really concerned that I might not be able to run for Scotland on Saturday. Traveling/ logistics/costs are proving a nightmare. I really do not want to run if I cannot give of my best. This is no fun race, I will be representing my country! Hopefully I will get some good news from SA today. Otherwise I might have to make the decision not to run and then I will also need to review Nick's two week plan. PMN - good news, SA have provided a solution. I can now relax, well sort of relax...

Thought for the Day

2009-03-22T06:43:00.000-07:00

When you believe in a dream, feel and breathe that dream,

The "when" matters not, just that one day it will be.

2009 may not be my time, it is part of the dream.

2014 will be my time. When I finally live that dream!

Finding Hope

2009-03-22T03:51:00.000-07:00

What is the most important emotion to us as individuals? Would every one of us respond to that question with the same answer? Can you have one emotional feeling without another, do they have to be combined, shared, symbiotic relationship?

The one that I think energises me most is "hope". Find hope in any situation and I will make it work. I will fight, I will generate self-energy. I will find a solution if it is a problem, or move forwards if it is dream. Lose hope in a situation or lose hope on a dream and I give up.

Think of a person who has lost their dog. Perhaps wondered of in unfamiliar surroundings, intensely frightened by something. Until told factually otherwise, the person never gives up hope of finding their dog. It gets them out of bed in the morning, helps them focus on a new search, try a different approach, different strategy to find their missing dog.

I lost a dog once, it took me two weeks, but I did find him again. If I had given up hope I do not know if I would have found him again. Perhaps I would not have been in that place when by mere chance he ran past. Was it "mere chance"? (Let's leave that thought for another day....) I might never have found him and would possibly have wondered what happened to him for the rest of my life...

Humans beings are survivors. Strongest of the species. Resourceful, inventive and inspirational. If you do not think you can find hope, you are wrong. Try a new way and you will find it. It is there all the time, sometimes hiding, sometimes sleeping. Try the volcanic approach - a huge eruption, debris everywhere. But then it is finally out there, no longer secretly contained within!!

I once had a problem that was very much my own. I was engulfed by this problem. But I never gave up hope. For twenty years I awoke every morning with new hope that this would be the day that I would find the solution to that problem, find the strength to overcome. Every morning the hope would be strong, but then fade towards evening as I knew I would not find the answer that day. Hope would leave me, but it would return the next day. Hope finally won when it was joined by belief. Combine hope and belief and although not guaranteed, rapidly increases the probability of success!

Sometimes I never give up hope. I cannot yet decide if that is good or bad. Logic and rational thought tells me it is bad. Gut feeling tells me that it is good.....?

Training: Day 11

2009-03-22T02:31:00.000-07:00

Plan: 2 hour easy run

Reality: Just over 2 hours easy run with three dogs

Significant Events: Gorgeous morning. Fabulous run, inspired and fully energized (with the exception of the "drop & drag" experience)

Comments: Experienced my first "drop & drag" incident courtesy of a brown husky! I lost my balance tripping over an unidentified obstruction on the track (most probably a tree root), Kez panicked when I fell over and dashed forward instinctively. He was attached to my waist belt and so pulled me forwards as I fell and then dragged my body along the track for a short distance. Very painful and shocking impact for me. Injuries luckily are not too serious: mildly sprained wrist; swollen, bruised & grazed knees; bruising & cuts on shin; minor grazes on left shoulder, thigh & back. The resulting adrenalin from the fall kept me going for another 90 minutes. Suffered increasing stiffness & general aches throughout the day. Guess I will have to reclassify this run as "non easy"!! Good test of my determination and commitment to my training plan - passed with flying colours me thinks!!

Thought for the Day

2009-03-21T04:07:00.000-07:00

Sometimes the hardest thing to do, is nothing.

I want to help,

And yet I must do nothing.

The very act of helping,

Would disrupt the flow of evolution of another's mind.

Sometimes that is how it works best,

To do nothing.

Training: Day 10

2009-03-21T03:00:00.000-07:00

Plan: AM 6 x 5 mins threshold, (60 secs recovery). PM 45 mins recovery run

Reality: AM 3 x 6 mins & 2 x 5 mins (on Figsbury hill). PM 44 mins recovery run

Significant events: mmmmm, first training session nursing a hangover and only 4 hours sleep. Not good idea.

Comments: tough one due to last night's activities. Fluffy head and somewhat dehydrated. Drunk one litre of High 5 with almost immediately improvement. Felt very tired by the time I ran in the evening, very sleepy.

Intertwining of Emotions

2009-03-20T04:12:00.000-07:00

I can feel inspired, motivated and open minded in the morning. I can also feel depressed, negative and close minded in the morning. Do the two have to inter twine within the fabric of my mind?

It is my birthday morning and I am inspired. I am motivated and driven, an exciting new day ahead. Another year has passed and I have evolved further. I remember this day exactly two years ago. I remember the words of that song. Remember my resolve and the determination that then followed. I have succeeded, achieved more than I thought possible. There is a long way to go yet, but I have a lifetime to get there.....

It is my birthday lunchtime and I feel very much alone and very lonely. Standing in the centre of the city of London, surrounded by thousands of people. I feel overwhelming sadness. I should not feel this. I have just started an amazing new job, have so many happy things and people in my life and yet I am here in this sad little place. Alone. I forget where I was this morning and stay where I am, for now. I wish "the kiddies" were here...

It is my birthday evening. I am happy. I feel so alive, energized and free spirited. I am connected to people and connected to life. Energized by these connections, flowing through my veins, my heart beating loud and strong. I am standing only 200 yards from my lonely place at lunchtime. I smile at the very thought of "the kiddies" being here....

It is the end of my birthday, 30 minutes past midnight. I like where I am. I feel content. I like my world.

Training: Day 9

2009-03-20T01:48:00.000-07:00

Plan: 30 mins recovery

Reality: 55 mins recovery run with 2 dogs

Significant events: good sleep, very energetic this morning. It is my Birthday!!

Comments: body felt less stiff, (no back pack yesterday as I worked from home) ankle felt good.

Training: Day 8

2009-03-19T13:34:00.000-07:00

Plan: 40 mins easy, 40 mins steady, 40 mins marathon pace

Reality: 25 mins very easy with four dogs, 90 mins steady with some almost marathon pace!

Significant events: extremely stiff back, right hip & hamstrings, took a long time to loosen up. Also very sore throat - I think dehydrated. Ankle intermittently painful.

Comments: Back problems causing concern, have now got a proper back pack, hopefully this will eliminate the problem. Starting to feel very nervous about running 100k. Do not feel confident about completing the distance.

Can You Lose True Love & Find It Again?

2009-03-19T06:17:00.000-07:00

I think that the reality is that it is surprisingly easy to lose true love, take it for granted and let is slowly slip away.

Most things in life can be lost. You can lose your job, but if you try hard enough you will find another. You can lose a valuable document but you can find it again because it will exist somewhere... You can lose your car keys, but press the bleeper and hopefully you find them again. You can lose your fitness through injury etc.

Using those losses as examples, will you not learn from the experience and the frustration associated with it? Will you try harder in your next job to ensure that you keep it? Try harder to maintain your paperwork files so that you can instantly pick up that valuable document next time? Have a special hook for your keys? Train harder for the next race?

And yet how many of us will allow those losses to happen again?

If you adopt a more systematic approach to these losses can you prevent them happening again?

I am going to answer at least one of these questions with a resounding yes. I have always had issues with losing paperwork. I finally "flipped" one day and took the time out to think and develop a very simple system to ensure I always knew where everything was. And it works! For several months I have been able to go straight to every slip of paper or document that I want - this is after years of serious panicking when tax renewals, trips abroad etc suddenly came up! Also, finding my fitness again after a lay off from running? Simple, followed a different training plan! I did not give up, merely changed my approach and learned a very valuable lesson...

Therefore if a systematic approach can work for most losses, can it be used to find true love that has been lost? Warning - probably not a good idea to use a systematic approach to find it in the first place, kind of defeats the romantic ideal belief!! "Belief" and "systematic approach" kind of contradict each other....

I know that in order to find true love you have to actually believe in true love, to believe in the romantic ideal and be open minded at the same time as to what is achieveable - no fixed agenda for any criteria that needs to be met.

To find true love again requires even stronger beliefs, much deeper desire and want.

To believe again you have to know why you lost it in the first place, and forgive that reason whether it be an event a circumstance or a past memory. To forgive is one of the hardest acts we as human beings ever have to do. To forgive you have to understand why, to understand why you have to ask questions and achieve the answers. When you have the answers, you will be given the ability to understand. If you allow yourself to understand you will be able to forgive.

I do not think it is good to just forgive and forget, instead remember how you were able to do it and when you have to forgive the next time, try the same approach that worked before. Or try another approach, but always try and ensure you can confidently offer that forgiveness. It is a very negative burden on the mind if you are not able to do so. But it is a phenomenal positive if you can! Hugely powerful! Some of the answers will be harder to achieve than others, because you have to make sure that you are asking the best questions for the circumstances.

And what if you do not actually know what caused the true love to be lost. What if you woke up one morning and you just did not feel it anymore? Can that happen? How do you fix that one? Can you lose the feeling of true love if you lose yourself? If your mind demons temporarily take control of your thoughts. Convince you of things that are not true and make you believe in a different world than is the reality. Or do you only lose the true love after you have lost yourself? Is this another case of a symbiotic relationship?

Returning to the question of using a systematic approach to find true love again. I personally do not know if it can work as I have not truly tried. Maybe it can work, or maybe it cannot purely because it involves the emotions and feelings of another being. But I have tried the systematic approach to forgiveness in many areas and I can confirm that it does work for me.

Training: Day 7

2009-03-18T00:11:00.000-07:00

Plan: 60 mins steady

Reality: 72 mins easy/ steady with 2 dogs @ 5 am. 20 mins very easy in evening (7 pm)with 4 dogs

Significant events: Stiffness in back and top of legs (due to walking/ backpack in London). Also feeling tired due to early start & routine change, but did feel very energised during my morning run.

Comments: It is going to be very hard to fit my training with my new job and the travel involved. But, I can see various ways to do it and with the longer days as we move into Spring/ Summer it will make it easier. I really like my brief little wind down after work with the dogs! Need to look at getting a better backpack as I can foresee significant issues if I continue with this one.

Training: Day 6

2009-03-17T13:24:00.000-07:00

Plan: 45 mins easy am, 45 mins easy pm

Reality: 50 mins easy with dogs @ 5 am; 25 mins easy in Central London @ 1pm; 20 mins easy with dogs @7 pm.

Significant events: My first ever lunchtime run (when working)! Very busy, but gave me amazing energy post run. Nice wind down with dogs

Comments: Also two very rapid walks between stations, this time with trainers. Hope to do more lunch timers, but will need to be careful as the weather gets warmer!

Training: Day 5

2009-03-16T13:17:00.000-07:00

Plan: 60 mins easy

Reality: 72 mins easy with the dogs @ 5:15 am

Significant events: First day at work/ travelling to London, 5:00 am start...

Comments: no sign of any stiffness post race. Very energetic, excited about the start of a new begining... Very rapid walk from Leicester Sq to Waterloo - stiff knee and blisters after (was wearing dress boots - trainers from now on!)

Thought for the Day

2009-03-15T14:28:00.000-07:00

Dreams are what propel us into action

They give us meaning and the stimulation to recreate at least some aspect of our world

Running Motivational Tip

2009-03-15T11:58:00.000-07:00

Play games with your speed when out running

Sprint between lamp posts

Chase after people walking dogs in the distance - smile as you overtake!

Time yourself on a particular small stretch of road/ track

Three days later race yourself - beat your previous time

Is Racing Exciting or Stressful?

2009-03-15T11:54:00.000-07:00

If it is stressful, is it "positive stress"?

I woke at 4 am this morning with a racing heartbeat. I am unsure whether this is due to excitement or anxiety. I have a race today, a semi marathon that is part of my training plan. It is an important race as it will give me an indication of my true fitness.

I have negative emotions towards racing as it takes away so much of what running means to me. Takes away my freedom and the "carefree" experience. I will be surrounded by people, running at a different time than usual, eating differently, there will be no dogs and I will be racing the clock. My body will ache from the effort and I will want to stop, or at least slow down to the comfortable running pace that I know will keep me going for hours. Then there are the "after effects", people will ask me how I did and I will want to tell them that I did well, but normally I do not feel that I have run well. I am rarely genuinely happy with my performance. And yet I know that when I am happy with my performance it gives me a huge confidence boost.

I want to do some work around my negative thoughts on racing, try some psychology techniques. I want to be able to accept all race performances, use them as learning experiences in a positive way. I feel this is an important element that I need help on as my attitude is restricting me - I will avoid races due to both the before and after effects.

I could not return to sleep this morning, my heart kept pounding heavily, mind kept thinking. I also start my new job tomorrow, which I am extremely excited about and yet a little nervous, due to the unknown...

This period in the morning, after sleeping, dreams and before the next day begins, is the best time to have a cuddle. The most relaxing cuddle of the day, so warm and reassuring. Feel so content wrapped in another persons arms, share their warmth and energy - switch off from the unspecific thoughts running through the mind. Drifting along in the spell of contentment before moving into the reality of present and every day life. It saddens me to think how I can almost disregard some of the things that are truly important to me, how easily I can sometimes break that spell. Pulled out by a "must do this" or "must do that" attitude. Do I really have to "do this & that".....

I do feel extremely positive this morning, and also energetic. Based upon those feelings, I believe that the reason for my racing heart is excitement. If it is anxiety, then the good things that are happening in my life are outweighing the negatives, ensuring that positivity reigns!

Going back to the original question relating to racing being exciting or stressful, I believe it to be both. The little glimmer of possibly achieving a personal best is exciting. The thought of a new experience (if it is a race I have never done), meeting old friends and possible new friends is also exciting. Taking today's race for example, with two miles to go I over took a young man who had just about given up having started too quickly. I touched his shoulder, giving him a little push and said some encouraging words to him. It was just the boost that he needed. At the end of the race he went on a mission to find me and thank me for helping him find that energy to finish. What a hugely positive experience for us both!

But there is also the stress of getting to the start on time, fully prepared and with expectations to be met. Knowing what pace I need to run at, when I should take food or water. Worry that I might get "runners tummy" at some point, maybe I wont be able to finish the race for some reason. And today there was the extreme worry of my ankle. I am enduring a lot of pain from it just now, I do not know if it is temporary or if it is the downwards slope to my early retirement. I am not yet prepared for this eventuality. I have so much more running to do. I was told five years ago that I would never run again - I have turned this around and strengthened my ankle as a result, but the injury still exists and at the moment the pain is very real. I am on "borrowed" time I know, but I want to extend that for as long as humanly possible.... It saddens me deeply to think that my running dream might one day be brutally taken away from me, all because of a mistake that was not mine.

Tears in my eyes at this moment as I write these words, I am not going to let this go yet. People sometimes call me extremely tenacious, you ain't seen nothing yet!!

I learned a lot from today's racing experience, which I will write about in my training diary. It did confirm my opinion that racing is both exciting and stressful in a positive way. And yes, I was happy with today's performance!

Training: Day 4

2009-03-15T11:18:00.000-07:00

Plan: Semi Marathon hard, then 60 mins easy

Reality: Semi Marathon hardish, then 50 mins easy

Significant events: 5 hours sleep. Ankle still aching. Did not have a proper dinner last night.

Comments: Good start and finish to race - 6:23 to 6:52 mins/mile pace. Middle section dropped to nearly 8 minute pace at worst, due to problems with ankle. Pain eased so was able to finish strongly. Lost energy at several points and took on sport juice and jelly babies (unusual for this short of a distance). Mind was very negative during the middle phase and wanted to stop. Felt fine at the end, fingers were swollen due to dehydration. Didn't achieve a PB, but was only 20 seconds off - not bad considering the circumstances. Spent a lot of time convincing myself not to stop, and considerable time thinking about the "exciting" or "stressful" debate about racing!! Also contemplated not running London Marathon and not running for Scotland at the end of this month. No logical reason for withdrawing from either, aside from the fact that my confidence concerning my ankle is a little low just now.

Thought For The Day

2009-03-14T04:22:00.000-07:00

It is not always the choices in life that make us who we are

We make choices

Choices are made for us

It is how we grow from those choices that proves who we truly are

My Answers To The "True Love" Question

2009-03-14T02:53:00.000-07:00

When pondering my "what is true love" scenario the other day, I forgot to ask myself two very important questions. Can you measure true love? Can you quantify true love? The answer to those questions is quite categorically NO. You can only FEEL it. I believe that is why many people would struggle to answer my original question as not everyone has a symbiotic relationship with their own feelings and emotions.

And so, if I now ask myself "have you ever felt true love", then my 100% confident answer is YES. For five months I knew what true love was. When a look or a touch says more than words alone. When words shared can bring joy and light into a dark room. When dreams are shared and inspiration free flows. When problems are not problems, just things to do. When smiles are passed from one happy face to one sad face. When you are joined as one nothing else matters for those moments in time apart from sharing each other. When you do not question your future together, you just know that it will be.

And so, I have now answered my own question.

The follow up questions are now: "if you do find true love, how can you lose it"; "can you ever find true love again"; "if you find true love with one person, can you find it with another person"; "can it only be true love if both people feel it"? I already have very strong opinions on all of those questions.....

What Do Our Hobbies Mean?

2009-03-14T01:21:00.000-07:00

What do our hobbies mean to us? Why/ how do we choose our hobbies? Do we choose them or do they find us? Do we choose them to provide something that is missing in our lives, to provide a release from other realities within our worlds? Or are there other reasons why the gardener spend hours in the garden, the painter paints the world from his perspective, the DIY'er working on his house.... And when do our hobbies become more than just hobbies and evolve into something more engulfing? Is that good, or is that a sign of an obsessive, possibly addictive personality?

I know I can answer these questions with very strong opinions....

I did not choose running, it found me. I have had self esteem/ confidence issues about my body, mind and my actions for as long as I can remember. Constantly uncomfortable with my body, and doubtful of my thoughts and ideas. Not wanting to let people see the real me in case they did not like me. Always craving for people to like me, trying to help others to mask the reality of my own life and what I could be achieving on a day to day basis. One minute my mind would say "speak those words to that person, share your opinion" or "yes do that action, make it happen". Almost instantly my little mind demon would come rushing in saying "no! don't do it, you will fail, you are wrong it will not work". This mind demon is a very forceful character and normally won. I held back for fear of failure. Or put in another context, I held back for fear of the affect that any feedback might have on me. I wont transgress into NLP theorising here, that is for another day, today it is about why my hobby gave me ME.

And so, running found me. It allowed me to eat without fear of getting fat, it gave me energy to feed my body and mind, it helped remove negative energy i.e. stress and worry and it gave me a focus and determination to just "do". It also gave me amazing inspiration for my dreams, my hopes and plans for my future.

I am aware that I write now in the past tense, "it gave me this and gave me that" etc. that is because for many years it was my coping mechanism and I was reliant upon it. If I did not run I went into extremely dark and scary places within my mind. Places where the mind demons ruthlessly ruled, and cold darkness was all around me. Quite simply I needed running to give me life. This was more than just a hobby...

Moving forwards to the present, I no longer need to run. Take today for example, my training plan says REST, no running and that is what I am going to do. After an emotional and stressful week previously I would be panicking about the prospect of not running, but not any more. My mind will remain sunny today I will make sure it does!! P.S. If you want to know more about how I managed to turn things around you will have to read my book.....

Back in the present, my hobby still remains "more than just a hobby", but for very positive reasons. I am very good at what I do, self motivating, naturally talented, self coached (until recently) and very in tune with my body from an athlete's perspective. As a result I have run for my country, become a national champion, finished runner up twice in succession in the UK Athletics championship, and had the third fastest time for 100k in 2008 (UK only).

I am now struggling with the next step in my running. I have much more to give, can improve considerably and can go onto greater things. My hobby needs to move onto another level and I am not sure if I am quite ready for that yet. There are many implications if I do, one of the biggest being that to move forward with this hobby would bring pressure and stress as I constantly strive to improve, race myself, the clock and others. Change my eating habits, affect my social activities, and impact my relationships. Would aspects of these changes not contradict the objective of having a hobby? I also need to ask for help - something that I find very hard to do!

Perhaps I will need to find another "new" hobby.....

Training: Day 3

2009-03-14T01:09:00.000-07:00

Plan: REST

Reality: REST

Significant events: Incredibly significant. If I manage to have a complete rest, no running at all then I will have made a huge leap forward! Tis a challenge, but will bring rewards - amazing confidence boost.... Ankle still a little sore and my eye is also irritated due to debris from yesterday's tree cutting exploits.

Comments: Ok, looking good so far. I have reached 5:45 pm and not run one step today. It has been a bright sunny day outside and also in my mind. I have achieved a lot in the garden and in my writings. I have had a few wobbles regarding "fat body" thoughts, but it has not stopped me eating normally. This is good for my confidence and a great step forward. I go to the movies later, reward for a tough day!

What is True Love?

2009-03-13T18:00:00.000-07:00

Today I asked myself what do I believe to be true love.

I asked myself this because I know what "love" is, it is easy to love. Love thy mother, father, sisters, children, even friends - that is what I define as unconditional love. The ability to love is part of us as human beings. But what is "true love"?

Is true love a romantic ideal that we fantasise about but is not achievable? Do you have to find true love to know that he/ she is "the one"?

Why does true love have to be conditional? Is it conditional? Dependant on meeting our "needs"?

If you strive to find true love will you ever find contentment. Is contentment important?

Is it when you find happiness with another person and commit to sharing a life with them?

Is it when you accept another person for exactly who they are? Can you accept another person if you cannot accept your self?

Should true love be hard work? How deep does one go to find true love?

Do people sacrifice their quest for true love and accept an amicable and easy life?

Is it deemed overly ambitious to seek true love at the expense of happiness and sharing a life and future with someone?

Can you be truly happy if you do not have true love? Is it that important?

If you find true love and loose it can you find it again? Was it not true love if you lost it?

In true love can people make mistakes, errors of judgement and be forgiven - or is that what happens in committed relationships?

So many questions, yet I cannot confidently answer any? Is that because I do not understand true love? How can I answer my questions? Do I need others to provide their thoughts in order for me to confidently answer mine?

Or will I just know when I find it...

Running Routes: London City

2009-03-13T10:04:00.000-07:00

Description: Tour around central London

Duration: 2 hrs 20 mins at very easy pace & taking many photos.

Start out Frampton St, Paddington, head down Edgeware Rd to Marble arch, then Oxford St. WARNING - very flexible limbs and strong self survival responses required as you dodge commuters, especially in the Oxford Circus area.

At Tottenham Court Rd junction take right turn down Charing Cross Rd all the way to Trafalgar Square. Dodging pigeon poo from the residents of the square, go under Admiral Arch and follow The Mall to Buckingham Palace. Keeping an eye out for the Queen (flag flying means her Majesty is in residence), turn left and come back along Birdcage Walk towards Parliament Sq. and then across to Embankment. Follow Embankment to Waterloo Bridge stopping to admire the view of the City from the middle of the river - WOW. Turn left at the end and down the steps to Southbank. If you are feeling particularly energetic turn around and run up an down the steps a few times - who needs hills when you are in the city!

Follow Southbank all the way to Tower Bridge, ensuring you take in all the amazing sights that can been seen on this stretch of riverside. Keep an eye out for the acorn signs on the posts) Warning - if passing the tower dungeon quite a scary noise emanates from within, sounds a bit like hoodlums. Upon reaching Tower Bridge don't do what I did and wait for ages in the hope that it will open up and you can get an action shot of a ship coming through... Cross Tower Bridge to the Tower of London. I then got a little lost and ran on the road (pavement) heading towards Westminster. I think you can follow more acorn signs on the Northbank alongside the river. Anyway by taking the route that I did I got to see a completely different side to part of the route for London Marathon - there were cars and no eager supporters encouraging me along. I did eventually pick up the acorn signs and headed back towards Big Ben. Take a right through Whitehall and back towards Trafagar Sq. Warning when crossing the roads here - especially mindfull of the taxis.

Head back up Charing Cross Road (must confess that I took a detour around Leicester Square as I am going to work there). If you are hungry at this point it might be a good idea to stop at Covent Garden as there is no better choice of food options in the area!

Distractions taken care of, follow all the way to Oxford Street junction (look out for "We Will Rock You" sign, take a left and following Oxford Street to Marble Arch.

Right at Marble Arch onto Edgeware Road and follow all the way to Frampton St.

Training: Day 2

2009-03-13T06:45:00.000-07:00

Plan: 30 mins (10 easy/ 10 steady/ 10 threshold)

Reality: 20 mins jog with all 4 dogs, then 33 mins (with about 15 mins of threshold incorporated)

Significant events: Good sleep, focus & energy. Ankle still hurting. Knees starting to hurt due to dead trainers. Warning - replace trainers

Comments:

Amazing the inspiration one can achieve through running. Sometimes the inspiration is very dream focused, other times more factual and "doing" based. Also a great time to ask questions in one's mind - unfortunately I do not always find the answers. Perhaps on my next run I will. Also found myself a human running partner (opposed to dogs) today, very different to run with another person but is was also exciting as there was a good connection....

Running Stories

2009-03-13T04:50:00.000-07:00

Want to learn how to ski in mud with three huskies?

Mud Skiing

Running Routes: Winterbourne Dauntsey

2009-03-13T03:58:00.000-07:00

Start of Hill Climb to Figsbury Ring

Description: Figsbury Ring to Pitton Down, returning to Winterbournes via Hurdcott.

Duration: 42 minutes steady pace

Starting out on Figsbury Road, head under the railway bridge and up Figsbury Hill. Warning - sometimes there are baby pigs loose on this track, tasty morsels for hungry dogs! At the top of Figsbury Hill head towards the far left exit (you can go clockwise or anti-clockwise around the rings. Exit through the gate and head down the track towards the A343. Taking great care, cross this road and after 100 yards turn right onto the bridle way and up the hill to Pitton Hill. At the crossroads (just after the tree section, take a right through the gate and head down the hill. At this point and on a clear day you will have an amazing view of Salisbury and the surrounding valley. I love this view! Sometimes when I run down here in high spirits and on top form I almost feel as if I am flying. Flying like an eagle soaring high in the sky!

Feet back on the ground.... head down the hill to the bottom and through the gate, cross the road and straight through the next gate. Continue on this path until the end and then exit the gate. Stop immediately at the busy road (A343 again) and cross carefully, taking an immediate right, and straight down the bridle way. Follow this path to its end. Warning - be very careful of the overhanging bramble bushes. I recently had one rip me badly across my nose and face, causing much bleeding. I still carry the scars!!

At the end (after the railway bridge) cross the road (A338) and straight down Hurdcott lane. Follow this road to its end (stables on the right) and take a right through the gate and up the footpath to the right of the barn. At the top go through the gate and immediate right. You are now on the pavement beside the A338, continue on this pavement for about 1/4 mile, looking out for the Church on the right hand side. Cross the road and take the first right after the Church. You are now back on Figsbury Road.

Running Routes: Winterbourne Dauntsey

2009-03-13T03:53:00.001-07:00

View of The Winterbournes from Gomeldon Hill.
Description: Winterbournes through Gomeldon Estate & Highpost Golf Course

Duration: one hour at steady pace

Starting out on Figsbury Road, facing Figsbury Ring take left along the footpath just before Kingston Close. Follow this path straight through the field heading towards Gomeldon. Keeping going all the way to the end, crossing one road. Upon reaching the end of the path, take left then immediate right across the road and into the field. Turn right in field and follow path all the way to the stile, cross over and take left follow road, taking next left cross the river and straight across the main A338 into Gomeldon Estate. Warning: this is a busy road, take great care. Follow path in Estate right to the end at Boscombe. (Have a good look at the partly ruined barn on the left before you start climbing the hill - amazing development potential, but hands off it's my dream!!) Take a left onto the road and follow perimeter of fence until the end, take a left across the road (grass track) heading towards the golf course. Straight across the next road, into High Post Golf Course and follow bridle way to high post end. Warning: look out for wild card golf balls and also horse poo. Take left down the hill, passing the golf club house on your right. Follow road to its end, cross the road and head towards the ford. Use the bridge to cross the ford (unless you fancy a wee paddle) and straight on into Winterbourne Dauntsey. You will arrive at the village shop and can have a welcome drink, or continue one hundred yards and have an even more welcome drink in the beer garden of the Winterbourne Arms pub!

Running Routes: London City

2009-03-13T03:48:00.000-07:00

Description: Frampton Street (NW1) to Waterloo station.

Duration: 40 mins at steady pace.

There are more direct routes to the station, but they all involve dodging commuters on the busy streets of London City. This route is relatively quiet and scenic too!

Head down Frampton Street and take left onto Edgeware Road. Follow Edgeware Road all the way to Oxford Street and Marble Arch. Cross the road (using green man as guidance - no jay walking...) and enter Hyde Park just to the left of Marble Arch. Take left onto Serpentine Road (within the park) and follow road all the way to Hyde Park Corner. Cross over Knightsbridge Road, through Wellington Arch and down Constitution Hill. Warning - ensure you run down the non bike side of the pavement as some of the cyclists take no prisoners! Turn right past the front of Buckingham Palace (fabulous Beefeater photo opportunities...) and head down Spur Road towards Birdcage Walk. Turn left onto Birdcage Walk and follow to Parliament Square. Cross road and onto Westminster Bridge and straight across the Thames (don't forget to admire the view both sides of the Bridge). On a hot day it might be tempting to jump in the Thames to cool off. I suggest you lead not into temptation for health and safety reasons!! At the end of the bridge drop down the left hand side steps and onto the river bank path heading towards the Millenium eye (huge big wheel), Take a right at the "eye" and veering left, cross diagonally through Jubilee Gardens. Shell building now on your left, head up the steps across the bridge and into London Waterloo Train station. Hopefully you have enough time now to get a cold drink for hydration and a coffee and snack before you board the train. Don't forget to buy your ticket before you get on the train....

Meet the Dogs

2009-03-13T03:31:00.000-07:00

Muiryetts Power Game

Kai having a howl in the snow