If Carlsberg did years............

2017 has been a most amazing year both personally in my own running and some amazing achievements for my clients.

I’m not your average Coach, I don’t believe in chasing Pb’s or “summer bodies” - my focus over the last few years is chasing adventures, helping ordinary people just like myself achieve the most extraordinary things.

My clients have achieved some extraordinary goals this year, but also gained confidence & appetite for adventures, they have achieved their time goals through - strength mental & physical, relaxation and enjoyment of running – in my opinion relaxation & enjoyment are key to success.

Two clients spring to mind:

One lady who came to me last January – she had signed up for her first half marathon in May, but was thinking of deferring as felt under time pressure – there was a lot of her club mates doing the race, and with that came the usual club pressure and banter about times & pb’s.

To see a photograph of the same lady smiling & relaxed crossing that finish line in May is one of my favorite images of 2017. I’m looking forward to seeing the finish photograph of that same beautiful smile at VLM in April – well done kiddo, you know who you are!!

A chance dog walking encounter & chat about barefoot running, lead to another Client finding me through my website in July. We started working together, firstly aiming for zero to 5K, 5 months later and 2nd half marathon in 1.47 in Luna Sandals. I am really looking forward to 2018 and being part of his adventure into ultra-running.

As for me:

I finish this year on 1700 miles

30 Marathons

5 Ultras

There are so many highlights, so many miles spent with friends – my running family, so many great race directors, so many great races – the journey to the goal must never be underestimated or overlooked as that’s actually what makes the goal so important, every race is special & provides an opportunity to learn and progress.

4 races stand out for me this year:

Great Barrow Challenge 10 in 10

I was truly inspired in 2016 while in Barrow doing my first quad, by these amazing runners – running 10 marathons in 10 days – awesome the seed was planted for a 2017 challenge.

This was an amazing 10 days, tough mentally & physically a massive learning curve, but on reflection I loved every minute & hope to repeat in 2019.

I owe a death of gratitude to Debbie, Steve, Russell, Elizabeth & Dave and of course all the GBC family.

SVP100 – August

A return to the SVP in Suffolk & can confirm it’s still a stinker of a race – but loved it! Hoping to achieve the Black Shirt in 2019.

Robin Hood 100 – September

A return to Hobo Pace Robin Hood 100 miler, despite a cold and rubbish night’s sleep I did manage to achieve a finish beyond my expectations -27th place, 6th Lady, 102+ on the watch official time 25.05 hours, happy days!

I owe a massive thanks to my good buddy Dave for being my pacer for the last 20 miles, I could not have wished for a better person to look after me, we laughed, we swore, we sang, we hallucinated about canal bridges – twas a blast!

And finally

Enigma Firework 4th November

My official entry to the 100 Marathon Club, first person to do all 100 marathons in Luna Sandals.

This was an amazing day, and so happy and humbled that so many friends took the time out on a cold day to run & be there for me, simply too many to mention – but you know who you are. It was really special to be presented the blue & yellow shirt by my friend Phil, it was a great sense of achievement to join a club which contains so many inspiring runners.

So if Carlsberg did years, 2017 is defiantly up there with the best - I’m just an ordinary runner, and 4 years ago I was just starting the journey to my first marathon, I never imagined where it would lead – the adventure continues, gaining experience, gaining great friends – pushing limits, training ordinary people like me & being part of their adventures, life is truly awesome.

A massive thank you to Russ, to my friends, running family & clients – I wish you a fantastic 2018

You are never too old to have the adventure of a lifetime

Love & respect

#whysettleforaverage