Category Archives: Training

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.