About Me

Me Trying to Run Efficiently

I work in IT and my all consuming passion is running. Since I started in 2004/5 I have improved greatly through training long and hard yet I always wondered if I was missing something – I have only very recently understood what it means to run properly.

In 2008 I had a very successful year achieving good times at all distances from 10k to 35 miles up until August when my running was cruelly halted by a stress fracture of my second left metatarsal.

I had often thought about trying to find out what I had been missing and addressing some problems with black toes etc yet up until then I had always put the issues down to just being part of running and ignorantly I simply carried on training for the next event on what was until then a full calendar.

Being injured gave me time to think about my running and I decided to find out if I could improve my running form in such a way that I would be able to run with a much reduced chance of injuring myself. It was here that my journey along the road to efficient running started.

In November 2008 I went for my first ‘running lesson’ with Dr. Mark Hainsworth, a Pose Method® Certified Running Coach Level III and Sports Physician (MBChB). I have been learning how to run better ever since and have had some remarkable successes, noteably a reduction in my marathon time by some sixteen minutes. I do still have a long way to go though – the habits of a lifetime are hard to break.

This blog is a place where I share my thoughts about running and my quest for running with optimum efficiency; I hope people will find this interesting and helpful.

UPDATE Friday 1st October 2010

I have now left my employment within local government IT and have decided to go ahead with setting up two businesses in order to satisfy my love of developing websites and running. I design and develop websites and web based applications to feed my thirst for programming and anything webified read more about ThinkWebSystems here.

I operate a running buddy service that is aimed at anyone who would like a running buddy for whatever reason – Some will just want a basic keep fit jog around, others may want a more specific session to help their training, the idea being that I can be there to keep them motivated and focused.

I will also accompany people on longer runs to help them with marathon training for example at extra cost naturally because typically long training runs mean much longer out running! I have now quite a lot of experience in training for endurance events and can offer a training plan design service too. This can either be a standalone service or I can incorporate it with the running buddy service and tailor any package to the individual. We are all different and we all have differing levels of fitness and ability – my services recognise that and address the needs of the individual.

Qualifications & Experience

  • UKA qualified Run Leader
  • Licensed Sports First Aider
  • Running experience of over 5 years
  • Studied running technique for over 2 years
  • Helped many people to understand their own technique and how to improve it
  • Regular participant in races from 5k to ultra marathon (anything over marathon distance)

Running Achievements

Personal Bests

My running achievements are summarised below. Personal best times for the following events are…

5k : 18:39 2010
10k 40:28 2009
Half Marathon: 1:27:59 2009
Marathon: 3:01:54 2009
35 Miles: 4:47 2009

Favourite Distance

Marathon

Technique

I have been helping people with their technique in running for a couple of years now and in that time I have had several noteable successes that if the participants are willing I will share as case studies on here. For now though I thought it appropriate to announce that I am actually offering a running technique coaching service.  You will find my rates very reasonable and my service friendly, from an “ordinary bloke on the street” perspective yet at the same time professional and efficient. I don’t class myself as a super athlete – most of us never will be! What really matters though is that I know we can all get more enjoyment from our running, whatever level we are at. I will help you to be the best you can be.

Get in Touch

Definitely contact me  if you fit into any of the categories below.

  • I need a website
  • I would like to join you on a £3.00 Special running session
  • I would like to arrange a Running Buddy session with you
  • I suffer from recurrent running injuries
  • I would like help with my running technique
  • I’m training for a marathon(or any other distance) and need advice
  • I’m training for a marathon(or any other distance) need  a training plan
  • I am a beginner and need help
  • I am a competitive athlete and want to know if I can go faster

OR, just get in touch for free friendly advice as long as it doesn’t take me hours to help you, then of course I may have to charge!