Genre: Opinion/Argumentation

Borntoplod Born To Plod Accomplished ultra-marathon runner. Gazelle-like sprinter. Writer of a blog that hardly ever goes off at random tangents. None of these statements apply to Jay, who (happily) still feels like a beginner despite having starting running a year ago. 56 POSTS read the blog Chronic Runner Chronic Runner Caolan is a runner, a mother, a wife, a climber, and a philosopher (I think about and teach Philosophy for a living) .Some think I have a little running problem - but running is like eating to me. 38 POSTS read the blog The Running Bug Follow The Running Bug Follow The Running Bug for updates on all the latest news, reviews, events and gossip from the world of running, as well as keeping up to date with all the new features coming to the site. 17 POSTS read the blog Bob32 Give Me Strength Julie is a runner and a coach who has a passion for health and fitness and a strong belief that strength training is a must every runners week. 13 POSTS read the blog Edward Going Downhill Edward's been running for nearly 30 years, but at 54 is witnessing first hand the fall-off in performance that ageing brings. Humour and help in equal portions for anyone suffering the same fate. 3 POSTS read the blog GJames Greg James' Marathon Mission Radio 1 DJ Greg James had a dream; to run his first marathon in London's Olympic year. Teaming up with his producer Laura, Greg is realising his dream and will run the London Marathon in support of The Stroke Association and in memory of his Grandfather. 1 POST read the blog SandGoby I Think Therefore I Run Tamsin considers the health effects and environmental implications of running and how it is shaped by modern science...Who says that "pavement pounders" can't be big thinkers?! 4 POSTS read the blog Papi runs Papi Runs With the news of his new baby, Rowan decided to put the beers, cigs and the rest to one side and run the Great Langdale once again. Caught by the running bug, he's finding it's infectious. 6 POSTS read the blog runwithmark Running For My Life Mark started running in a bit to quite smoking in 2007. By 2010 he ran from Amsterdam to Barcelona and now runs ultra marathons anywhere my passport will allow him. Mark is a motivational speaker, follow his progress and advice on goal setting. 15 POSTS read the blog kate@allattfamily.co.uk Running Free Kate Allatt survived a brainstem stroke with Lockedin syndrome. She couldn't walk, talk, swallow or move, only blink. Prior to that she ran 70 miles and was preparing to scale Kilimanjaro. Now her challenge is to run 1km in the Percy Pud race in Sheffi 7 POSTS read the blog JuliaA Running To Learn An international marathon runner in the 80s and still fast in her fifties, the lessons Julia has learnt mastering her running have helped her better master life. Find out how here! 53 POSTS read the blog sammymargo The Physio Room Sammy Margo is a spokesperson for the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. She is also the author of The Good Sleep Guide and The Good Sleep Guide for Kids. 5 POSTS read the blog slowbutsteady The Reluctant Runner Not a 'natural exerciser' by any stretch of the imagination, lacing up the trainers is often as much a battle of the mind as a battle of the legs! See what Sarah decides to do to keep herself on the straight and narrow... 42 POSTS read the blog James Dunne The Running Technique Coach James coaches runners and triathletes of all levels to help them improve their running technique, develop functional strength and promote increased mobility and good running posture. Read his practical advice for all runners. 2 POSTS read the blog Kev Quinn Thoughts of a Runner Father to a brilliant boy, Finley. Husband to a lucky lady, Gabrielle (although to be fair I am punching above my weight), founder of realrunners.co.uk and massive athletics fan. Training for Hamburg Marathon (2.28) and hoping for sub 2.20 later this year. 7 POSTS read the blog toddleckie Triathlon is the day job Committed to training as a professional triathlete for three years, Todd Leckie's regime is often swim, bike, run, sleep, repeat. But some interesting stuff also happens along the way... 3 POSTS read the blog RunDeeMc Ultra Ambition Dee was a non-runner who said: 'Why not?' when offered a place on the London Marathon three years ago. Now, she's about to run the race of a lifetime, the notorious Marathon des Sables ultra marathon. 25 POSTS read the blog New Beginnings In the run up to the 2012 West Highland Way Race I was pretty stressed, from the daunting prospect of completing the 96 miles of the West Highland Way in one go and under the 35 hour cut-off, to the prospect of sleep deprivation, chaffing, blisters and well, basically all manner of things. Having previously completed both the Highland Fling (first 53 miles) and Devil O' The Highlands (last 43 miles) races, I was all too aware of what lay ahead. The mixture of stress, nerves and excitement in the weeks leading up to the race made it almost impossible for me to give much thought to much else. Like everyone else connected with the race, I experienced a focus, a 'tunnel vision' if you like, with the single focus of covering the miles, arriving in Fort William, picking up the much sought after goblet, and becoming 'one of the family'. And then, just a few days before the race, Leanne announced that she was pregnant. Having been together for over 8 years, and having been married since July 2010, we had not long decided that it was finally time to start a family. Neither of us expected it to happen quite so soon and, in the run up to the West Highland Way Race, it was most unexpected news, but also most welcome news. My only concern was the thought of putting Leanne through the stress of a West Highland Way Race weekend, especially so early in the pregnancy. Little did I realise that it was going to turn into one of the THE most stressful weekends of my life. Actually, thinking back, I don't think it was actually that stressful for me as such. I ran. I also dealt with 'stomach issues' for a lot of the route, and projectile vomit at mile 50. But, mostly, I ran. And that's all there really was to it for me, getting from point A, in Milngavie, to point B, in Fort William. It was probably a great deal more stressful for those around me, including Leanne, Minty, John and Sandra, the support crew who saw me at my worst, hitting absolute rock bottom, and yet never once suggested that I quit. As is normal for the early stages of a pregnancy, we told no one and it was quite some time before we were able to share the news with the support crew. I have to admit that, during the race, I wanted to tell my crew and especially Minty, a running acquaintance who became a close friend and who guided me to the end of the race despite all the obstacles that we faced. So, from probably THE defining moment of 2012 to one of THE defining moments of my life. The mini Mac, or Bubba, as he/she has been named, will arrive at some point towards the end of February all things going to plan. We can't wait to welcome Bubba into our lives and, already, there is a new sense of direction. I expect that Bubba is going to change our lives in so many ways and that certain aspects of the lives that we enjoyed up until now will be challenged. While my early morning training runs fitted nicely into Mrs Mac's calendar, leaving her to enjoy a long lie in, I am not so sure that Bubba will appreciate the need for training. However, at this point, my plans are to continue running and, hopefully, to still complete a number of ultramarathons in 2013, including the West Highland Way Race again, assuming I can get a starting place. In this largely sedentary age, I want to set an example for Bubba. I want Bubba to experience the running community and, in particular, the ultra community. I want Bubba to see the camaraderie, the perseverance, grit and determination that is part and parcel of ultras, to show he/she that the best things in life, the best achievements and successes don't necessarily come easily, and that life's true 'celebrities' are the ones that overcome all manner of adversity to get to the start of a race and, hopefully, also to the end. The thought of one day crossing the finish line with my son or daughter fills me with joy and would, I am sure, only serve to add to the feeling of accomplishment. The thought that, regardless of time or position, I would hopefully be setting a good example and perhaps even inspiring them, not necessarily to run ultras, but to see sport as a worthwhile pastime that brings joy to life along with the many other benefits.