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Running, Life & Stuff – A podcast diving into all things running, life’s challenges, and everything in between.

21/04/2026

This weekend I took on the Shropshire Way 80K Festival — 80 kilometres through the Shropshire Hills, with a 24-hour time limit to get it done.

I got it done in 10 hours 46 minutes.

The route threw everything at me — the highest peaks in Shropshire, ancient woodland, market towns, hillforts, river valleys, and more elevation than I care to think about right now. It's not a race you take lightly, and it didn't disappoint.

But what makes the SW80K special isn't just the route — it's the cause behind it. The event is a fundraiser for Grow Cook Learn, the charity behind the Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre, with proceeds going towards their education programme — taking children from inner-city areas and connecting them with where their food actually comes from.

Pretty good reason to keep your legs moving when it gets tough.

Another one in the bag. On to the next.

09/03/2026

🥊 The Power of a Mid-Week Reset - There’s something uniquely grounding about the atmosphere of a boxing gym.

Stepping into Darley Abbey Boxing Club, the focus immediately shifts. It isn’t just about the physical workout, though the intensity certainly helps, it’s about the mental reset.

In a fast-paced environment, finding a way to stay centered is vital. For me, a session like this is the perfect way to:

* Clear the mind: Focusing on movement and technique leaves no room for outside noise.
* Empower the body: Building functional strength and resilience for the challenges ahead.
* Restore the nervous system: There is a real sense of "exhaling" once the session is done.

Whether it’s a hike, a gym session, or getting in the ring, finding your way to restore and empower is the best investment you can make in yourself.

Let’s keep pushing forward.

Darley Boxing Club

21/11/2025

I followed the Selva de Cádiz stage of the Eurafrica Trail up with another outing. This time, the fast and furious 21km Trail Sierra De Facinas.

What made the race really special was the way the organisers had tried to get the whole village involved and part of the celebrations. The route took us through the courtyard of the local residential home for elderly people, where all the residents were outside to cheer us on our journey!

Despite being a small and local race, the competition was fierce, with short steep climbs and fast flowing descents. My legs are starting to return after the Race Across Scotland although the warmth of the autumn sun made for hard going.

A good few fitness tests ticked off as I return to the slog of winter training and preparation for the next challenge. 🙌

20/11/2025

This race was all about getting my legs turning over again! I returned to the Eurafrica Trail for the Selva de Cádiz stage. A fast and furious trail race through the forest and mountains which perfectly captures the spirit of this race.

Last year I completed the full intercontinental challenge from Spain, Gibraltar to Morocco — an unforgettable journey which truly embodies Eurafrica’s motto: “Haz Historia” – Make History.

Eurafrica isn’t just a race; it’s an experience connecting people, cultures and continents through a shared respect for nature and a love of adventure.

This year I only ran one stage, but the same spirit, challenge and sense of connection were all there. It’s a reminder that you don’t always have to go the full distance to be part of something special.

Huge thanks to the organisers, volunteers and fellow runners who continue to make this event such a unique celebration of endurance and unity. 🌄

Eurafrica Trail

25/08/2025

A huge thank you to Revive Active for all your incredible support 🙏

Taking on the 215-mile Race Across Scotland was one of the toughest challenges I’ve ever faced, both physically and mentally. Having the right fuel and support made all the difference and I’m proud to have Revive Active by my side on this journey.

Your commitment to health, wellbeing and performance doesn’t just help athletes, it inspires people everywhere to take on their own challenges with confidence.

Here’s to many more miles together 💪

Revive Active

24/08/2025

Over the past year, I’ve been working with the Mental Health Foundation to help raise awareness around mental health — something affecting so many people, whether we talk about it or not.

Taking on the Race Across Scotland wasn’t just about testing my body and mind; it was also about starting conversations. Out on the trail, I spoke to other runners, crew and supporters about the importance of looking after our mental health, checking in on each other, and breaking down the stigma which still exists. Many were on their own journeys in search of improved mental health and were keen to share how running and ultra running was helping them to find the right path for them.

The Mental Health Foundation does incredible work to promote understanding, encourage openness and make sure people have the support they need before things reach crisis point. If my journey across 220+ miles encouraged even one person to think differently about their own mental wellbeing — or to reach out to someone they care about — then every step was worth it.

Mental health matters. Talk about it. Listen. Support. We’re all in this together.

23/08/2025

There were moments out there when I told myself, “Never again.” It was that hard. That exhausting! And "5km races only from now on!"

But I finished. 23rd overall. Gold Buckle in my hand. And now… who knows? Maybe another challenge is out there.

For now, I’m just enjoying the fact I came back to the Race Across Scotland and did what I set out to do.

22/08/2025

The weather this year was kinder than in 2023, though we still had rain and thick fog at nights which made navigation tough.

But the scenery? Simply epic. Rolling hills, rugged coastline and wild, open landscapes to make you feel small in the best way.

When your legs hurt, the views remind you why you’re out there.

21/08/2025

Boston Memorial Hall checkpoint — the place my 2023 race ended.

Last time, I limped in injured unable to go on. This year, I ran in to eat, drink, rest and get back out on the trail!

Everything beyond this point was new territory in a race of this length, and hitting it felt like winning before the race was even over. This was my personal game changer.

20/08/2025

Several weeks before the race, I injured my ankle. That could have ended my race before it began. My coach, Doug Stewart, helped me swap heavy mileage for heat training, strength work, and a slower, steadier race strategy.

The plan was simple: conserve energy early, then build into the race. A big thanks to Doug for your help!

It wasn’t the build-up I’d imagined, but it worked. Sometimes training is about adapting, not just grinding harder.

19/08/2025

My total race time was 83 hours, 5 minutes, and 21 seconds.
My total sleep? A massive 5 hours and 10 minutes. (This is a long time in 200-mile races!)

Because of my nut allergy, I couldn’t risk sleeping inside the official race checkpoints where food containing nuts was being served. That meant all my rest stops were in our hire van with my crew parked somewhere safe.

Here’s how my ‘luxury’ sleep schedule looked:

* Sanquhar – 20 minutes (enough to take the edge off)
* Beattock lay-by – 2 hours (my longest single sleep of the race)
* Boston Memorial Hall – 25 mins (a big milestone after my 2023 DNF here)
* Galashiels – 1 hour (noisy area — hardly restful!)
* Lauder - 1 hour
* Last checkpoint – 25 minutes before the final push

Each time I lay down, it was cold, cramped, and noisy — and the clock was always ticking in my head. But even short naps gave me just enough to reset my mind and keep moving.

In a race like this, sleep isn’t about comfort. It’s about strategy. You take what you can, when you can, and you never let yourself get too comfortable, because the trail is always waiting.

A big thank you to the team at Loughborough Performance Centre for their help in planning a sleep strategy.

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