Category Archives: Training

29
Oct
2011

Boot Camp

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Posted in South Pole, Training
Heading north today today for a South Pole boot camp. We’re driving to Skye in the LandRover. Skye sadly probably won’t be as sunny as last time I was there. But I’m excited about it anyway. I love these training sessions. We tend to do stuff like this: and this and this and this as [...]

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13
Jul
2011

Why Walking Is Cool

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Posted in Training, Travel, Writing
Walking is not just a hobby for old people. It's the greatest mode of transport invented and the key to reaching the world's wildest corners.
07
Mar
2011

How to Train for an Ultramarathon

6 comments
Posted in Marathons, Training
Train long and slow, get decent shoes fitted, stretch more often than you can be bothered to stretch, be prepared to suffer, and find a way to laugh about it. If you can do that you can do the Marathon des Sables.
22
Jan
2011

Enter a Race Today – microadventure #1

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Posted in Health and Fitness, Marathons, MicroAdventure, Training
This year is my year of British microadventures. A year of seeking out challenges, new places and new experiences in my own country. In order to try to encourage a wider span of people to sample a microadventure for themselves, I am going to cover a range of different types of microadventure. I’m kicking off [...]

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16
Dec
2010

You are not a unique snowflake

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Posted in Motivation, Training
It's about doing things well, honestly, and without cheating yourself... The more capable you become, the higher the mountain rises ahead of you.
27
Sep
2010

OMG – it’s only one month until the OMM

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Posted in Marathons, Training
Broadly speaking, there are two types of people in the world: those who know what “OMG” means, and those who know what the OMM is. (LOL!) The OMM is, of course, the Original Mountain Marathon, the “first, most famous, and largest mountain marathon in the world.” Run over two days, the OMM is always held [...]

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09
Sep
2010

Parkour: the best exercise there is?

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Posted in Humour, Training
This fun little video clip of parkour action is very impressive, particularly the final scene. I am so impressed with the bravery, flexibility, strength and agility these guys have, especially as they manage to do it all with their trousers round their backsides, in the style of today’s yoof. Enjoy. DON’T MISS A THING – [...]

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05
Aug
2010

The fight is won or lost far away

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Posted in Motivation, Poetry, Training
“The fight is won or lost far away from witnesses… “The fight is won or lost far away from witnesses, behind the lines, in the gym and out there on the road, long before I dance under those lights” – Muhammad Ali DON’T MISS A THING – FREE MONTHLY UPDATE BY EMAIL: Have you read [...]

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09
Jun
2010

Will and Suffering

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Posted in Expeditions, Motivation, Training
I have had a change of tack in 2010. My projects have been geared towards encouraging others to take on challenges. I have sought out ideas that would be accessible to most people with half a brain, half a set of lungs, and enough oomph to get on and do stuff. It’s been a rewarding [...]

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12
Apr
2010

A Paratrooper’s prayer

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Posted in Best Bits, Motivation, Our World, Poetry, Training
I am not religious, but I relish the power of this prayer, known often as the Paratrooper’s prayer. I bring this prayer to You, Lord, For you alone can give What one cannot demand from oneself. Give me, Lord, what You have left over, Give me what no one ever asks of You. I don’t [...]

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11
Feb
2010

How to run a marathon: 10 tips

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Posted in Best Bits, Lists, Marathons, Running, Training
This is the time of year when many people are training for their first marathon. So here are my 10 easy tips to running a faster marathon time. It’s not aimed at expert runners, nor is it for people who only want to cross the finish line. The list is for people like me – [...]

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02
Feb
2010

Life in the Fast Lane

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Posted in Best Bits, Cycling, Marathons, Running, Training, Writing
I’m in the fast lane of the motorway, zipping past all the souls in less of a hurry than me. The winter sky is blue and sharply cold. But I have the window wide open. I am relishing the noisy buffeting of the freezing air. The cold gale flays my post-race, glowing face and feels [...]

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04
Jan
2010

Guest Blog – Top Tips On Effective Exercise Nutrition

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Posted in Guest Blog, Marathons, Training
Luke is a teacher in Ross-on-Wye. I met him recently when he invited me to speak at his school. After my talk he took me on a stunning 10-mile run down the Wye Valley. I wish that happened regularly after my talks! As well as being a very busy teacher, Luke also combines a lot [...]

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26
Sep
2009

How to choose a challenge – and see it through

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Posted in Training
I’m amused to have been featured in Mens’ Fitness magazine, talking about How to choose a challenge – and see it through. I’m only disappointed that they didn’t want me to pose for the front cover… DON’T MISS A THING – FREE MONTHLY UPDATE BY EMAIL: Have you read Alastair’s books? Also available for Kindle, [...]

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30
Aug
2009

One Hundred Press Ups?

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Posted in 10 Lessons, Motivation, Training
When was the last time you did a press up? For most adults press ups are nothing more but a sweaty, grunting memory from PE lesson punishments. So you may not have done one for years. But today I’m going to try to persuade you to do 100 push ups. “100?!“, I hear you cry. [...]

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25
Aug
2009

Music to motivate you on Spotify

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Posted in Training
Spotify is a new way to enjoy music. It’s like your iTunes or record collection in that you can listen to whatever song you fancy. The difference is that you don’t own the songs, and they are not on your computer. Through the magic of the internet though you can listen to pretty much any [...]

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23
Aug
2009

Usain Bolt winning the 100m in World Record time

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Posted in Motivation, Training
I admire excellence, in all its guises. Even more so when it’s achieved on a diet of chicken nuggets. Take less than 10 seconds of your time to watch the fastest man in history: DON’T MISS A THING – FREE MONTHLY UPDATE BY EMAIL: Have you read Alastair’s books? Also available for Kindle, iPad and [...]

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17
Aug
2009

Reading recommendations

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Posted in Books, Lists, Training, Travel, Writing
I always like to receive suggestions of good books to read. So I was delighted when Ian ‘Tomo’ Thompson sent me this really detailed list. Should keep me busy for a while – very motivational! Running Wild trails to far horizons – Mike Cudahy Running the Himalaya – Richard and Adrian Crane Feet in the [...]

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24
May
2009

Running to test the soul

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Posted in Motivation, Running, Training
DON’T MISS A THING – FREE MONTHLY UPDATE BY EMAIL: Have you read Alastair’s books? Also available for Kindle, iPad and children.
17
Feb
2009

How’s your training going?

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Posted in Our World, Training
All being well you are still keeping up your New Year’s Resolution to improve your fitness. Your gym membership, your recovery protein shakes, your inspiring iPod playlists are all getting you to be where you want to be. But there is another way. For several billion people being fit and strong is not a leisure [...]

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