I’ve always rolled my eyes at the phrase “everything is content” – but maybe this one is. I’m not one for the selfie sprints or a bounce cam reel. There’s a whole generation of runners now in slick vests, perfect lighting, and product tagged videos – and fair play to them. Me? I run in kit that’s probably past its … Read More
Running Safe: Strava Privacy Tips That Actually Work
Why Strava Privacy Matters Using Strava is a fantastic way to track your runs and connect with fellow athletes. However, sharing your routes can inadvertently expose personal information, like your home address or daily routines. Let’s explore how to use Strava’s privacy settings effectively to keep your activities secure. Key Strava Privacy Features 1. Privacy Zones Strava allows you to … Read More
Listen to Your Legs: When Running Pain Isn’t Just Part of the Warm-Up
You know the drill – something aches, you assume it’ll loosen up once you’re moving, and you push through. Most of the time? Fine. But sometimes, that pain has other plans. That’s where I found myself last week. A run on Wednesday ended with my shins barking. Saturday’s parkrun? Same again. That familiar niggle hadn’t just tagged along for the … Read More
Newbiggin parkrun – Feeling the Chill, Finding the Fire
Back to the familiar sands of Newbiggin-by-the-Sea parkrun for event #321 – and despite it not being cold-cold, that wind chill definitely bit through early on. A bit of a brisk start but once we got going, I found a decent rhythm, even managing to run both hills this time. Slowed to recover at the top of the second, but … Read More
The ‘Whatever’s Convenient’ Diet Plan
How I try (and sometimes fail) to eat well as a parent, runner, and human being Like most parents, I operate on a revolutionary meal plan I call “Whatever’s Convenient.” If you’ve never experienced the thrill of shovelling leftover fish fingers into your face while standing at the kitchen counter, are you even doing it right? Add to that the … Read More
Small Wins, Steady Miles: Running Progress Since April 2025
Since lacing the trainers back up in April, it’s been a case of one buggy push, one footstep, and one small win at a time. April saw the return of buggy parkruns, club miles, and solo runs squeezed in around parenting, work, and the general chaos of life. It wasn’t glamorous – some runs were more shuffle than stride, and … Read More
First Time at Blyth Links parkrun – A Chatty Run and a Kind Donation
This weekend’s parkrun took us somewhere new – Blyth Links. It was my first time running the course, but to be honest, it wasn’t really about the run this time. It was busy – really busy – and Joe was a little anxious when we arrived. So, we did what made sense: we stepped back. We took a walk along … Read More
Strava Tip: Give Kudos to a Whole Group with This Hidden Feature
Sometimes, giving out kudos on Strava feels like a second workout. You’re in a group run with 6, 10, maybe 15 other runners… and you’re stuck tapping and scrolling like a social media intern just to say “well done” to everyone. But what if I told you there’s a hidden feature for that? It’s called the Kudos Bomb — and … Read More
Parkrun Progress: 3 May 2025 – Newbiggin-by-the-Sea
Another Saturday, another push – literally.This week was a solo run for me, no buggy in tow, and I’d almost forgotten what that felt like. Still, the course at Newbiggin-by-the-Sea doesn’t make it easy. Two hill climbs, each one a test, and the second never gets easier. But this time… we ran them both. No PB, but I’m not chasing … Read More
The Specialist Running Buggy That Got Us Back on the Road
The Specialist Running Buggy That Got Us Back on the Road We’ve always run as a duo. From toddler years in the Graco Relay to squeezing into a Thule Urban Glide 2 at age six, Joe’s been my co-runner for most of my running life. But as he grew, things changed – and eventually, nothing off the shelf would fit … Read More