Some thoughts on speed work, training volume, and results on the road….. Ultra running is fun, right? No emphasis on pace, mile splits, Strava segments. You can run slowly, you can walk the hills. Well, if you get really tired you can even walk the flats too and still no Read more…
With all to play for in mile 49….. The Welcome Way is an existing way-marked circular long distance walking route here in West Yorkshire, connecting Otley, Burley in Wharfedale and Baildon, with an optional loop around Shipley Glen and Bingley. Not only is it local to me, the route actually Read more…
Taking part in the English National Cross Country Championships has been one of the highlights of every running year for me since I joined my running club Ilkley Harriers. The Nationals are open championships in the proper sense of the word. Besides paying the modest entry fee, the only requirement Read more…
Dewsbury: another crack at a 10k PB In December I wrote a post about breaking 50 minutes for the 10k after running 49:32 at Ribble Valley. The Dewsbury 10k, always held on the first Sunday in February, offered a good opportunity to try and shave a few more seconds off. Read more…
Some thoughts about training High time to update my blog, in particular with reference to the 2 race entry ballots I wrote about in a previous post. On January 1, whilst I was running through the mud on the North Leeds Greenway Ultra, the email arrived to say I had Read more…
North Leeds Greenway Ultra Another month, another Punk Panther event! I began 2023, on New Year’s Day, with the North Leeds Greenway Ultramarathon, a 34 mile/3600 ft circuit of North Leeds from Otley. Starting off with the steep climb up the Chevin to Surprise View (650 ft ascent in the Read more…
A tale of guns n’ chips, and no prizes…. During 2017 and 2018 I made a few fairly serious attempts at breaking 50 minutes for 10k. Now, to explain for any non-runner readers, whilst this has proven to be a real challenge for me, in general terms this is not Read more…
I know, it’s a running blog, and this post is going to be about swimming. But hey, it’s my blog so I can write what I like surely 
I like running and I like swimming, but I am not a triathlete, let’s just clear that up. Though I am Read more…
My race calendar for 2023 is taking shape, there are some definite dates in there with races entered, but two big question marks remain and I’m waiting with bated breath for ballot results coming my way on January 1st and 10th respectively. The spring is ‘sorted’. The main event will Read more…
The Christmas Cracker is a handicap race and is the final race of the year for Otley based endurance event organiser Punk Panther. One of the run directors sets off first on a 32 mile / 3700 ft route and each runner is given a handicap based on times achieved Read more…