Tales of Trails, Mountains and Rocky Roads

How fast a year can go! 12 months ago, I was dressed in a Santa costume at a snowy Tittesworth Reservoir in the Staffordshire Moorlands, ready to run my 8 th Christmas Cracker. It was quite an emotional occasion as I was saying my goodbyes to many of my friends, knowing that at some point soon, I would be leaving my home land behind and moving to pastures new across the Atlantic Ocean. OK, it took a few more weeks and a couple more UK races before I eventually left, but by the end of March 2012, me and my boys had packed our bags and waved an (almost) fond farewell to good old blighty. Fast forward 12 months, and what a year it’s been! I’ve had wobbles about moving, I faced initial home sickness, I’ve lost 2 of my best friends in the form of Sammy dog and Bunny rabbit – one due to old age and the other due to problems during quarantine over here in Calgary – and something I never dreamt would ever happen – I got pregnant only to lose my baby a few weeks later. ...

Winter has well and truly set in now here in Calgary and over the past couple of weeks or so, we've had 2 snow storms moving through the area resulting in significant snowfall of around 10-15cm. Thankfully, although a few bumps are inevitable on the roads, the country hasn't ground to a halt and it is reassuring to see that life just goes on as normal no matter what the weather throws at people over here. Despite the weather, I've still been getting out running and have finally managed to get my mileage up to something more realistic in preparation for  my next ultra - the Frozen Ass 50km race, to be held on 18th February next year which also happens to be the same day as my 40th birthday. The race was recommended to me by the awesome ultra runner Ellie Greenwood who used to live in Banff but moved to Vancouver a few months ago. I was meant to have done it earlier this year, but whilst Andy moved to Calgary in early January, my move to Canada was delayed due to the lo...

I've done hundreds of races over the years, so many in fact that some have been forgotten and are buried in the deep dark depths of my mind - it's only when I find an old newspaper clipping or an old black and white photo that the memories of certain races come flooding back. Fortunately most of them have brought feelings of joy, elation and success although there has been the occasional disappointment along the way! Oh yeh! Used to run for Stoke AC - National XC Champs 1986 (33rd) When first starting this blog, I had a feeling that some folks would consider it a bit egotistical and narcissistic - a case of me me me - but they couldn't be further from the truth. I am actually quite a shy person, and I don't particularly like being the centre of attention, but having been pestered by several friends, I finally succumbed to peer pressure and agreed to share my running experiences with those that were interested. I also hoped that maybe others would believe in ...

I consider myself one of the lucky ones in this world that has had the honour of living with and owning dogs, ever since the day I was born when we were the proud owners of a retired greyhound named Jacko. He was followed by a Manchester Terrier x Whippet named Tim who sadly left us at the tender age of 3, and then Patch, another young whippet cross that we had from Pat Wood of Animal Lifeline in Leek. Me and Jacko - Black Rock Sands, Porthmadog 1976! A couple of years later, I left home to work for the Youth Hostel Association in the Yorkshire Dales and Derbyshire where I spent a lot of time running and walking in the hills. I desperately missed having my own dog to walk and run with during this time and couldn't wait to get my own home where I could have as many dogs as the house would allow. Whilst historically, my family had always had a preference for the gentle natured whippet, I had an obsession with Border Collies who came across as sturdy, obedient and intell...

Back in early June,   I came across a new ultra that would start in nearby Canmore - a 50km race on Rocky Mountain trails that would take place early October. I had just done the Calgary Marathon and had the urge to get back in to my ultra running, so I entered the inaugural Grizzly Ultra 50km Trail Race, and planned out my races over the next few months to ensure I was in tip top shape to run well. I was initially hoping that it would help me to be considered for selection to the GB team at the World Trail Running Championships in Anglesey next year, and along with a small amount of prize money on offer, there were enough incentives to motivate me to train hard and run well. A month or so later, I had some exciting news and things were put on hold - I was expecting my first child in March next year - but by August I faced the devastating news that I had lost my baby which affected me physically, emotionally and mentally. The Grizzly had already become a non-starter having eas...