Tuesday, April 17, 2012

On Meditation and Running.

I read this really interesting article in the Guardian this morning which reminded me of my Dad and other zen like running masters. It's a rather interesting concept.

Saturday, April 14, 2012

On Looking Faintly Ridiculous


See above......I did however, have an ace run through the park. The sun was shining and the joggers were out in force. Tomorrow I'm going to attempt to get up at 7am (on a Sunday) to go swimming.

Friday, April 13, 2012

On Mean Dogs in the Vondelpark.

What a brave and intrepid runner I must be - I get up in not so beautiful conditions and head off for a short run., all the while singing 'Eye of the Tiger' in my head. By the time I get about half way through the run (and by this point I'm reeeeally concentrating on preventing my heart from exploding) a dog runs up to me. "Oh, how charming" I think to myself "a friendly dog". Well this dog was a little too friendly and competitive - he tried to outrun me (and succeeded with ease) and then proceeded to jump all over me - scratching the left side of my leg. And the thing that got to me most, was not, as you may think, the terrifying nature of the mean dog, who was surely going to eat me.....but "oh dude, you broke my stride!"


I feel that I may be getting this running lark after all.......

Thursday, April 12, 2012

On Running.

OK, well as you may very well have guessed I'm going to be running in the Damloop on the 23rd September, here in fair Amsterdam. I think this may be the best or most foolish thing I've done for a long time, I'm not quite sure yet. What I do know is that I'm running for a very important cause. The UK Refugee Council was founded in 1951, following the United Nations Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and continues the leading charity in the UK that works with refugees and asylum seekers. Both, working directly with, and through campaigning on behalf of refugees.

This is a wonderful video about the work the Refugee Council does, made to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the UN Convention on refugees. You can watch it here.

So this will be my first run, since running cross country at Tain Royal Academy, running up the Scotsburn Road, listening to Mr McIntosh shouting in my ear and I'm really delighted that I'll be doing it for the Refugee Council - but of course I need your support! Every euro or pound you donate helps their outstanding work and makes me more and more motivated to get off my arse and go running in the Vondelpark.

I'm proud to protect refugees and I hope you will be too. Please donate via my just giving page here.

Meanwhile, I'll be updating this blog with my adventures in running and in fitness in general, including lots of photos of me looking rather ridiculous.