My love for running is taking me to places around the world that I have dreamed of visiting. I love the challenge the races provides and the opportunity to visit somewhere new and beautiful, it is so rewarding and inspiring. While I do these challenges I also want to support The Gracias Foundation as a charity close to my heart, please feel free to support their many projects by donating on the link below.

Saturday 20 October 2012


Fitting it all in !!!!
I often wonder how I manage to fit it all in.  I am a single mum working 100%,  which sometime feels like 150%.  This can make fitting in exercise, never mind training for ultra's difficult at times, but somehow I manage.  

I am co-parenting with my ex which means that I get some free time and allows me to fit in big runs on these days.  Other days its not always so easy but time management becomes key especially when he is away for many weeks at a time.  I will run in the morning before work or at lunch time on work days.  I am lucky enough to work for a company that has flexible working conditions, so this allows me to fit my running around looking after my daughter and work.   Sometime I have to get creative, like running on a treadmill at the gym while my daughter watches a movie or have her cycle alongside me while I run.  As she is only 6 this alternative doesn't last too long, which is why I take along a rope and tie it around my waist and pull her along when she starts to tire or on the up hills.  She also enjoys it as I become her horse.   I like this option as it gets her outdoors to do something with Mum.  Always a good thing I believe.

Today I took advantage of her going to Pfadi (Scouts) for 2 hours and went for a fantastic Autumn run. The weather was great, around 18c and blue skies.  Perfect running weather.  I combined this run with taking some photos.  In the morning I joined a basic photo class to learn how to use my SLR.  So I thought I would put some of the learnings to use.  I used my smaller camera, but I think I still managed to capture a lovely autumn day and a beautiful running route. 








Thursday 18 October 2012


Remembering Mountain Man
Today I got an email from one of the races I did.  It was from Mountain Man which has an Ultra race from Titilus to Pilatus in Switzerland.  I love this race as it is one of the most stunning routes and has everything a race should.  Embedded in the email was a link to a video which I think fully capture all the race has to offer, if you love ultra you will love this  ..http://vimeo.com/51532882

Monday 15 October 2012


Cold & and getting colder
Returning back from the UK, I brought home more than a present for Melanie, I brought a nice cold for myself.  I couldn't believe it as my throat started getting sore.  I was just recovering with my neck and could start running again and then another set back…a cold. 

Thankfully it was not too bad and after a few days I had nearly recovered so on I went out for a 7 km run in the local forest.  It felt so good…it was so relaxing and invigorating at the same time.  Now I had to get back into training.  I started off slowly, running every few days getting a little longer each time.  This weekend I managed 2hrs 20, it was a bit tough so I still have a way to go.  Its a bit scary as I only have a few weeks left before I hit the big mountains.  

I have started doing hill sessions again.  I was a bit scared to do this as I the downhill jarring movements would be sore on my neck and back.  I didn't want to make things worse and go backwards so  I was careful and the downhill felt great, however the uphill was a struggle!   I was panting, trying to push those bad thoughts away, that kept asking me why it was a good idea to run up the hill, when I heard a kid laugh and scream.  He was running downhill and having a great time doing it and it reminded me of why I love running.   I was focusing on the bad stuff and forgot to focus on why I love running.  I love the freedom, the fun of throwing my self down a hill like a big kid, the quietness, the nature, the alone time, the speed, the challenge, the pain and the satisfaction.    After focusing on these things my run suddenly got easier and I enjoyed the challenge and I pushed myself up the Gurten hill to enjoy the view over Bern and the Swiss alps in the distance.

The days are getting shorter and colder.  That means getting out the winter running gear, looking out my gloves, hats, jackets and buffs.  It also means switching my running schedule.  I preferring running in the mornings but this is always pretty chilly in the winter so I prefer to run at lunch time instead.  That way I also get to see daylight.  But I can wait a few weeks more and enjoy those beautiful crisp mornings.  Where the air is fresh, the sky is blue and there is just a slight chill but not too cold….perfect running weather.  Just a few weeks to enjoy before the warmth of Nepal.