Have you set yourself a new year’s resolution? What steps are you going to take right now to make sure that you achieve your goals? In my other life, I sometimes coach teams and individuals to help them reach the full potential of their projects. I don’t supply the answers. Instead, through my questions, the…
We Won’t Make You Fat
There’s been a proper hoo-ha in the UK recently about whether the recipes of TV chefs are less healthy than supermarket ready meals. Headlines like ‘Do TV Chefs Make You Fat?’ and ‘Ready Meals Are Healthier’ have been all over the place. It all stems from recent research into a random sample of TV chefs’ recipes…
Self-Massage For Runners
What makes a great running buddy? You need one you can chat to, be silent with, complain to, laugh with, obviously. But even better than all of those things though is a running buddy who’s training to be a masseuse. Result! Sarah, the friend I ran the West Highland Way with and also one of…
Book review: Chi Running
This time last year I was injured. It was a persistent, nagging injury that was causing me no end of grief. I had a pain in my left thigh, which turned out to be a problem with my adductor. Or, to put it more plainly, I had an embarrassing groin strain. Sigh. People sniggered when…
Listen To Your Body: Eating
Picture the scene: It’s c1989, Bibi is 3 years old and is sitting at her little foldaway table, drawing (I use the term loosely). ‘Mummy,’ she says, ‘I need a biscuit.’ I look at her quizzically. ‘Please,’ she adds, for she is a polite child. I explain the difference between ‘want’ and ‘need.’ ‘Sweetheart,’ I…
Post-run Refuelling – 15 minute countdown
Sports scientists say you need to refuel within 15 minutes of finishing exercise to help your body repair muscle tears and make the most of your workout. In an article for Running Times, director of sports nutrition at University of Pittsburgh Medical Centre Leslie Bonci said “I really encourage athletes to do something within 15 minutes. The…
Listen To Your Body: Sleeping
This is the first post in our series Listen To Your Body. It’s about sleeping and how we can learn to do it well. Do you make a puzzled face at that, thinking ‘well, surely you’re either sleeping or you’re not’? That’s only partly true. Yes, your body will gain some benefits from getting your head on…
Running Mix – The Bruce Lee Running Club Mix
Here’s a new running mix that has been designed with a bpm that matches your cadence when running. About two years ago I first heard this kind of running mix from AudioFuel and found running to the beat a great motivator. Trouble is you can quite easily get addicted to it and end up listening to the…
Canal run – Saltaire to Leeds
I love canals. Towpaths that pass through grotty old industrial areas are just as appealing to me as the ones that run through open countryside. Boatyards, urban living, old villages, you get to see them all on a canal run. I managed to persuade my friend Kimmy to find out if she loves them as…
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate…
Everyone knows that you need to stay well hydrated when you run but it takes a while to get into the habit. There can be lots of triggers for thirst – salty or sweet foods, for example – but it’s often a fair indicator that you need to take on more fluids. It’s horrible running…