Runs Writes Code

I am lost to the actualities that surround me, and my whole being expands into the infinite; earth and air, nature and art, all swell up into eternity, and the only sensible impression left is, “that I am nothing!” Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Lecture 2, 219 You hear people say that ultra running changes you. My first ultra was awesome and introduced me to the intense connection with the natural world that comes from running through it for several hours. It stills the mind and settles the soul, but I didn’t feel like I emerged a different person. The second one broke me into tiny pieces and showed me I was braver - or stupider - than I thought.  The relaxed start of the Kintyre Way (to my left Stan Topalian who broke the men's CR, far right William Robertson - the other vegan in the top 4!) The Kintyre Way is a tough ultra. I knew that. I had seen the course profile and read a couple of blogs. So bearing this in mind I approached the first 1,000ft climb at a suicidal pa...

Tick is a humble genesis, tock a feeble apocalypse. 1 For several months last year the only mast cell stabiliser that is effective for mastocytosis was out of production and I had a reminder of how bad my condition could be. Instantly returning me to the time when I had been too unwell to run. But back then my running had been taken away gradually and not suddenly, all at once. Back on the ketotifen the condition settled and I felt good again. I went on to have my best ever cross country season, gaining my first Scotland East vest and finishing in the top 20 at the Scottish National Cross Country Championships. But in the back of my mind a faceless clock had started ticking, counting down the time I had left to run. I’ve read every journal article on mastocytosis I can get my hands on - I work in a university so that’s quite a lot - but ‘little is known about specific prognostic factors predicting the outcome in individual patients’. 1 There is no way to predict how long...

The long Autumn has cracked into a crisp winter, but the freezing early morning starts have been inspired by some of the most incredible sunrises I've ever seen. Back in October I went to London for a weekend with my parents (over from Spain). Mum and I saw Warhorse, which was fabulous, heartbreaking and astonishingly clever. We also went to Vantra Vitao,  a raw vegan restaurant on Oxford Street. It was so good we went back the next day with Dad! And, of course, I ran. We were near Regents Park, just under the BT Tower so I ran there a couple of times, although slowly as I had a cold (the first of four so far - thanks methotrexate/open plan office...). The first evening was hot, and then suddenly very wet... The next day was cooler and not raining. Mr Heron The Islamic Cultural Centre Dino looking for the BT Tower I love trees... There were lots of dogs but this little chap caught my eye. A lovely bold little dog called Bowie And I saw a camel...

"Things get clear when I feel free /  When whatever's next comes easily" It was my third trip to Glasgow that week, on the tuesday I had been to a meeting at 200 St Vincent Street. Dragging my small wheeled suitcase behind me from Queen Street Station I reflected on the fact that the opening mile of the coming race was up a pretty steep hill. After the meeting I headed out to do my training session. I ran along the river to Glasgow Green, where the stands and marquees were beginning to go up. Excitement and nerves wrecked the session, but in a good way. I headed back to Glasgow on the Saturday, feeling tired and achy. My muscles had tightened up after thursday's sprint session even though I had bailed out halfway through. I woke early on Sunday, despite the late start to the race and the fact that I was staying about 100m from George Square. I had a really slow jog, gradually ramping it up then running through the dynamic warm up. We were penned fairly early. O...

I don't think I've ever had so much fun running as I did racing the Speyside Way Ultra. All photos from the Race Committee & Marshalls I drove up to Buckie on Thursday afternoon via Montrose (long story short: it was the nearest pharmacy stocking the mast cell stabilisers I need to run (I have mastocytosis), and I am hugely grateful to the St Andrews Boots pharmacists who found them!). It rained the entire way and was still raining when I eventually made it to Buckie. The forecast was clear for race day but my faith in the met office has been tested one too many times (I'm thinking of ending the relationship as I just can't take any more of the lies). With the already knee-deep water across the path at Aberlour, torrential rain wasn't really something to cheer about. The Rosemount Guesthouse was very comfortable though and the sea view from my room was great once the rain finally cleared! I would definitely recommend it - and early booking - it you...

Some people say we make our own good fortune, perhaps we do, but really you need freedom and opportunity on your side. "Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity" - Seneca Since being told I'd never run again - and being sick enough to believe it - I've been taking more opportunities to run in beautiful places, because I can. On Tuesday I went to a meeting at the University of Stirling. The drive back took me along the foothills of the Ochils. The itch took hold and so this morning I found myself retracing my steps. I parked up in Tillicoultry and set off up the path. The long stretch of steps kindled a small fire in my quads and I hadn't even got to the properly steep bit yet! From 0.8M into the run the climb got more serious (up to 39% according to Strava). That was probably the rock climbing stretch... The path proceeded to climb 1,340ft over the next mile. The chill wind carried some rain so I pulled on my Salomon S-Lab light jacket (...