Runs Writes Code

On the day of my PhD graduation I was able to introduce my parents to two of the people who have had the most influence over the last few years of my life: my thesis supervisor and my coach. It got me thinking about how important people are in each other's lives. A simple suggestion can change the course of your life: In my first term at (undergrad) University one of the professors, Joad, asked if I was planning on continuing on to a PhD. I had to look up "PhD"... In my first year at St Andrews, Steven R, suggested I join Fife AC... I wonder if either of them remember, or realise how profound the impact was. You can be set off in a new direction, but it's the people along the way who keep you on that path. I've met some fantastic people both in academia and athletics so I was delighted to be able to introduce so many of them to my parents on Thursday. Graduated! With Mum and Dad Photo: random sucker After the ceremony - which included an honorary fo...

Finding this hidden gem wasn't easy. The flyer on the website was for 2013, but once I'd been linked up with the Facebook page I thought my troubles were over. I hadn't counted on getting lost in Dundee trying to find it! Templeton Woods looked beautiful in the evening sun. I love the way light plays through treetops making dazzling, dancing shapes like a kaleidoscope. My quads felt tight and sore as I warmed up. This was to be my third race in six days so it wasn't a surprise! I enjoyed skipping over tree roots and dodging trees as I explored the first half mile of the start and the finish. All Photos: Gordon Donnachie John counted us down and then we off, flying up the path. Amie was right behind me so I was running a little less comfortably than at Hill of Tarvit and probably faster than was sensible. The long easy climb was followed by a short sharp descent and climb then we broke out of the trees and headed down to the reservoir. I got into my stride a...

Chasing the boys… [Photo: Jordan Young] It had rained all day and was still raining. It was the kind of fat-dropped, drenching, relentless rain that penetrates every single atom of your clothing from the socks up. The thought of just going home didn't just pass through my mind it sat there like a rain-hating toad, goading me. I was a shivering little rat on the start line and then the horn squelched and I was one in a pack of soggy runners churning up the hill. For some reason the hill didn't feel as steep as last year, I lost a few places to men near the top though. That meant being stuck behind them as I got into my stride. I had to squeeze through barely-there gaps and try not to be too annoying. In hindsight I'm not sure I did too good a job, so sorry if any of you are reading this... It was a pleasant surprise to be running easily and ahead of the next woman. My ancient, abused Inov8 190s were superb as usual finding traction in all the mud. I pushed on through...

Organising a "Chariots of Fire" race on West Sands in St Andrews, and leaving no one disappointed, is a formidable task but Ben McLeod pulls it off every year, having turned the 2011 race into an annual extravaganza. Ben's powers of persuasion range from attracting race sponsors to getting some 500 runners to dress in white… Photo:  David Smyth All runners get a medal, a Fisher & Donaldson fudge donut, musical entertainment, fruit, local beer and the chance to reenact the famous beach scene from Chariots of Fire. Prizes are donated by local businesses and a decent wedge of cash goes to the chosen charity: this year was the Association of International Cancer Research. I won the 2012 race largely because no one faster turned up, but this year there were some speedy women on the start line. The "Chariots of Fire" music played us over the start and we were off at a decent pace. I was running in second (woman) for most of the first km so decided to take...