You may have noticed that my Events tab to the right is looking a bit full. This year I have lots of exciting things happening and I would love for you to join me on some of them.
February To celebrate my 40th birthday, I am taking part in the Run Through Queen Elizabeth Park Half Marathon* on Sunday 10 February. We are away for my actual birthday this weekend (off to Norway to see the Northern Lights!), so this is the best way for me to celebrate with my London friends. Many of my running buddies from Advent Running will be there too. You can still register for the race here. Afterwards, we will head over to Crate Brewery for pizza and cake baked by yours truly. I would love to see you running, cheering or eating at some point that day.
March Although my big goal is to run a Boston Qualifying time, I decided to focus on half marathons for the start of 2019. I am trying to run one a month. In March, I will be running the Croydon Half * on Sunday 31 March. It is a small local race and we will be visiting friends who live near by as we rarely make it south of the river these days.
April This month, I am travelling abroad to run the Budapest Half marathon on 14 April by travelling with Run Hungary**. They are a new company of locals who want to show off their country through running events. The trip is just a long weekend and includes a pasta party and free beer post-race. I always try to run a race when I travel. So far, I have medals from France, Germany, Czech Republic, South Africa, Ireland, and many of the states in the USA. I am very excited to be adding Hungary to the list! Please check here for all of the info, including hotel options (accommodation and breakfast is included in package price). Non-runners are also welcome to join us.
May I am still researching options for half marathons this month. Hackney Half is very appealing due to the proximity to home. I did it the first year so maybe it would be a chance for a new course PB.
There is also the Ragnar Relay Sweden event in May, which I totally want to do. Ultra X is putting together a team but I need to look at if I can get off work and then at how much the flights cost. I loved the UK Ragnar Relay White Cliffs and think the first ever Swedish one (where the Ragnars originally hailed from) would be epic.
June This will be my last half marathon for the year. A good friend lives in Italy so I am looking for a race close to her to mix a visit with a run. She isn’t a keen runner so I will have to accompany her to the beach during my stay too. Oh darn.
July I am super excited to announce I am an ambassador for Run Bulgaria**. This summer, they have a five day camp in Bansko which includes:
Accommodation (1 Bedroom, 2 sharing)
Airport Transfers
Breakfast and Lunches
Guided Run 2-3 Times Per Day (Mixture of Trails, Road, Long, Short, Intervals, Mountains, all optional)
Seminars and Talks (Running, Stretching, Nutrition )
Films Shown Each Evening in The Bar
Spa Facilities Available (For Free or For a Very Small Charge)
Swimming day at the mineral hot springs.
Mountain Hike including lunch, Enjoy the most beautiful views in the mountains.
Mountain Bike (MTB) Tour along beautiful trails including bike hire.
Basically, if you love the outdoors, this trip will be ace (the poster also mentioned wine tasting. No idea if this is an extra fee though). Spots are going quickly, so I encourage you to sign up today to enjoy mountains, sunshine, and more. Get £75 discount on your registration to their five day run camp at the end of July using my code AMB19MOL. Note, you will need to purchase your own flights.
December Still in planning phase, but Valencia marathon is a top contender to keep me in shape during the autumn. Price goes up 30 June, so I have time to decide. In an ideal world, I will be running Tokyo Marathon in March 2020 which means Valencia would get me fitter and faster. I then just need to keep it up until March 2020. Easy, right?
Please let me know if you have any races you would recommend, no matter there they are. I am always looking to explore the world in different ways.
*Thanks the organizers for a complimentary race entry. #gifted ** These are affiliate relationships which cost you nothing additional for using my referral codes. More info about these partnerships will be detailed in my blog post on Thursday.
As you read in my 2019 goal blog earlier this week, I am aiming to create more videos for my You Tube channel this year. I will be creating video recaps for each of my 4×4 Challenge races. Here is the first one for Marathon du Medoc. You can read my full race review here.
As you read in my 2019 goal blog earlier this week, I am aiming to create more videos for my You Tube channel this year. I will be creating video recaps for each of my 4×4 Challenge races. Here is the first one for Marathon du Medoc. You can read my full race review here.
I am so excited I found some time to share with you some of my favorite kit from this year. A few pieces (marked with *) I was gifted to try out, while others I discovered on my own. This year, the items selected fall into travel, active, and/or eco-friendly categories. Hope you discover a few new things to put under your Christmas tree.
Hydroflask True Pint* – This item falls into the eco-friendly category. The True Pint holds beer, coffee and even soup. Fantastic vacuum insulation means your drink stays the temp it needs to and so do you hands. Great for camping and festivals.
Venus Gillette Precision Bikini Trimmer*-This small battery-operated electric razor keeps your bikini line tidy from all angles. It includes a 5mm plastic comb to ensure uniform hair length too. I think it would work on trimming hair on the back of your neck too but my husband won’t let me try it out on him. The perfect size for your travel bag.
B-twin hydration bladder cleaner*- Lots of runners and cyclists have water bladders but don’t take the time to clean them properly after use. This is a great gift because it isn’t something the athlete in your life would buy for themselves, but they will definitely use it.
Salomon Agile 6*– A great little backpack to hold a lightweight jacket, book, sunscreen, and whatever else you will need for a day exploring a new city. It includes two 500ml soft flasks in case you decide to run instead of walk. This bag’s capacity is only seven liters so your kids can use it too. SKINS Compression calf tights*– Wear these calf tights on the plane or under your trousers if your legs ache from too much walking on your holiday. You can also wear them when out on a run or for recovery. I wore mine during my five day desert ultra back in October. There is a large range of colors available.
Rite in the Rain notebook -This is a travel essential for keeping track of what happens each day you are away from home. It doesn’t matter if it gets wet, which makes it all the better for outdoor adventures. I brought one with me when I climbed Kilimanjaro and to Jordan because I knew there wouldn’t be electricity or wifi. I had to go old school with a pen and paper. My preferred nnotebook style is A5 with a spiral spine but there are many to choose from.
Smith Overtake bike helmet*- With their MIPS system and Koroyd(R) honeycomb insulation, this will protect your brain during a collision, which is the point of a helmet (think about how much money and time you have invested in your brain!). There is still maximum ventilation and excellent aerodynamics in the design. Nothing is compromised.
Wonderbag slow cooker*- This portable slow cooker was developed to help women in developing countries cook without tending a fire. It saves them time as not as much fire wood needs to be collected. It is also better for their health because they are not inhaling smoke while tending a fire. I think it is perfect for camping, tailgating, and hosting dinner parties as it retains heat for up to 8 hours. Full review will be up later this week.
Bamboo straws from Bare Vida – Plastic straws are a hot topic right now, so why not start carrying your own reusable straw? I have one made from bamboo and another from stainless steel. I keep one in my lunch box and one in my purse so I am always prepared for my next beverage.
Margaret Dabbs foot cleansing wipes and foot hygiene creme*- I was sent some lovely foot wipes and lotions to help my feet prepare and recover from my desert ultra. These are a nice treat for those who spend a lot of time on their feet but aren’t necessarily into pedicures. The wipes are perfect for travelling to climates where you will want to wear sandals or flip flops too.
On Cloud lightweight running hat– A lightweight and ventilated cap to help keep your head cool and dry in sunshine or in the rain. The perfect stocking stuffer for just about anyone.
Icebreaker merino wool base layers– As my regular readers know, I live in merino socks year-round and have a heavy rotation of tops for the winter. Both the 150 Zone long sleeve crewe top and BODYFITZONE (TM)150 Zone leggings are designed to help you regulate your body temperature so you are not too hot or too cold no matter what you are doing. Icebreaker garments are also biodegradable when buried in a landfill, making them a eco-friendly gift choice.
Black Diamond Creek 22L rucksack– A super stylish way to carry everything you need for work and the gym while day commuting. It has a waterproof shell and holds a 15″ laptop. Lots of internal organization options too so you can easily find what you need.
Leki Hot Shots ski poles– How crazy is this? These ski poles hold your favourite drink inside the pole, up to 200ml. They even have their own funnel to help you pour. Please remember to drink responsibly when participating in sport.
What is on your Christmas list this year? Let me know in the comments below and I will put in a good word for you with Santa.
Thanks to Hydroflask, Venus, Decathlon, Salomon, Skins Compression, Smith, Wonderbag, and Margaret Dabbs for gifting me the items above. All opinions are honest and my own. This post also includes affiliate links, which costs the buyer nothing but helps run this website.
I am so excited I found some time to share with you some of my favorite kit from this year. A few pieces (marked with *) I was gifted to try out, while others I discovered on my own. This year, the items selected fall into travel, active, and/or eco-friendly categories. Hope you discover a few new things to put under your Christmas tree.
Hydroflask True Pint* – This item falls into the eco-friendly category. The True Pint holds beer, coffee and even soup. Fantastic vacuum insulation means your drink stays the temp it needs to and so do you hands. Great for camping and festivals.
Venus Gillette Precision Bikini Trimmer*-This small battery-operated electric razor keeps your bikini line tidy from all angles. It includes a 5mm plastic comb to ensure uniform hair length too. I think it would work on trimming hair on the back of your neck too but my husband won’t let me try it out on him. The perfect size for your travel bag.
B-twin hydration bladder cleaner*- Lots of runners and cyclists have water bladders but don’t take the time to clean them properly after use. This is a great gift because it isn’t something the athlete in your life would buy for themselves, but they will definitely use it.
Salomon Agile 6*– A great little backpack to hold a lightweight jacket, book, sunscreen, and whatever else you will need for a day exploring a new city. It includes two 500ml soft flasks in case you decide to run instead of walk. This bag’s capacity is only seven liters so your kids can use it too. SKINS Compression calf tights*– Wear these calf tights on the plane or under your trousers if your legs ache from too much walking on your holiday. You can also wear them when out on a run or for recovery. I wore mine during my five day desert ultra back in October. There is a large range of colors available.
Rite in the Rain notebook -This is a travel essential for keeping track of what happens each day you are away from home. It doesn’t matter if it gets wet, which makes it all the better for outdoor adventures. I brought one with me when I climbed Kilimanjaro and to Jordan because I knew there wouldn’t be electricity or wifi. I had to go old school with a pen and paper. My preferred nnotebook style is A5 with a spiral spine but there are many to choose from.
Smith Overtake bike helmet*- With their MIPS system and Koroyd(R) honeycomb insulation, this will protect your brain during a collision, which is the point of a helmet (think about how much money and time you have invested in your brain!). There is still maximum ventilation and excellent aerodynamics in the design. Nothing is compromised.
Wonderbag slow cooker*- This portable slow cooker was developed to help women in developing countries cook without tending a fire. It saves them time as not as much fire wood needs to be collected. It is also better for their health because they are not inhaling smoke while tending a fire. I think it is perfect for camping, tailgating, and hosting dinner parties as it retains heat for up to 8 hours. Full review will be up later this week.
Bamboo straws from Bare Vida – Plastic straws are a hot topic right now, so why not start carrying your own reusable straw? I have one made from bamboo and another from stainless steel. I keep one in my lunch box and one in my purse so I am always prepared for my next beverage.
Margaret Dabbs foot cleansing wipes and foot hygiene creme*- I was sent some lovely foot wipes and lotions to help my feet prepare and recover from my desert ultra. These are a nice treat for those who spend a lot of time on their feet but aren’t necessarily into pedicures. The wipes are perfect for travelling to climates where you will want to wear sandals or flip flops too.
On Cloud lightweight running hat– A lightweight and ventilated cap to help keep your head cool and dry in sunshine or in the rain. The perfect stocking stuffer for just about anyone.
Icebreaker merino wool base layers– As my regular readers know, I live in merino socks year-round and have a heavy rotation of tops for the winter. Both the 150 Zone long sleeve crewe top and BODYFITZONE (TM)150 Zone leggings are designed to help you regulate your body temperature so you are not too hot or too cold no matter what you are doing. Icebreaker garments are also biodegradable when buried in a landfill, making them a eco-friendly gift choice.
Black Diamond Creek 22L rucksack– A super stylish way to carry everything you need for work and the gym while day commuting. It has a waterproof shell and holds a 15″ laptop. Lots of internal organization options too so you can easily find what you need.
Leki Hot Shots ski poles– How crazy is this? These ski poles hold your favourite drink inside the pole, up to 200ml. They even have their own funnel to help you pour. Please remember to drink responsibly when participating in sport.
What is on your Christmas list this year? Let me know in the comments below and I will put in a good word for you with Santa.
Thanks to Hydroflask, Venus, Decathlon, Salomon, Skins Compression, Smith, Wonderbag, and Margaret Dabbs for gifting me the items above. All opinions are honest and my own. This post also includes affiliate links, which costs the buyer nothing but helps run this website.
Ragnar Randoms- ready to go at the start line. Photo from team captain, Natalie.
Ragar Relay has been on my radar for a while. It is HUGE in the USA and my sister-in-law takes part a few times a year (she is really fit BTW). This year was the second year it was held in the UK and I think it lived up to the hype (aside from the typical British weather). If you like adventure, sleeping in smelly cars, and have some friends who also enjoy running, this might be the perfect race for you.
Ready to run.
Entries and fees: The entry fee was £95 per person as we entered in April with an early bird fee.. Then we had to add on van hire, petrol, team t-shirts, van decorations, and transport to the start and back home again. We decided to keep it as affordable as possible. Some teams also made magnets to put on other cars but we skipped this. Maybe if we had been more organized, we could have done it. Most people on the team brought food and snacks for 24 hours, although we were given bags full of candy, snacks, and energy drinks at the start.
The race had staggered start based on submitted average run times. We started at 10am which was perfect as no one had to sleep near the start line. Before you start, there is a safety check of high vis, head torches and back lights, as well as a compulsory safety video. All of the Ragnar staff at the start area were super helpful.
Running along the sea
Course and bogs: The course was a little different than last year. We started near Sittingbourne and ended in Brighton, running along the coast as much as possible. I was super excited to see the White Cliffs of Dover (it was a big selling point when deciding to sign up). Unfortunately, it was dark when I ran over them so I will need to go back another time. I did spot some chalk in the mud as I climbed up the cliff path to overlook port of Dover.
The majority of the checkpoints were small car parks or along the side of the road. Every 5th checkpoints was big as the teams hand over to their other vehicle. There were stands with coffee, a small selection of food, and of course, port-a-loos. The small check points also had port-a-loos but they didn’t always have toilet paper.
We had terrible, cold rainy weather the weekend of our race. Four legs were cancelled due to the rain and unsafe conditions, some later in the day. Unfortunately, one of them was the Ragnar Leg (27 out of 30, which earns the person who completes it an extra medal). The organizers decided to give the medal to one team member who ran the last two legs. The only thing was (due to logistics) that they gave you the medal before you actually ran either. Our fearless captain, Natalie, was due to run the Ragnar Leg. She dug deep and was able to run the last two legs, which were the equivalent of a half marathon, after living in a van for over 24 hours with barely any sleep. Well done, Nat!
T-shirt with a summary of the weekend.
Location: Ragnar Relay started off in the USA and are now expanding globally. This race was along the southeast coast of London, covering about 120 miles. This was split between each team of 10 (although you can also do as a team of 5 for an ultra Ragnar). It seemed like most of the runs this year were in the rain and/or dark though, which was a bummer.
There is a Ragnar Relay app, which gave you info on all the checkpoints, but I didn’t find it very helpful when I got lost in a cow field. It was crucial when we were racing runners from checkpoint to checkpoint though. Be sure to pack a mobile phone holder that attaches to the windshield to hold your phone as you navigate from check point to check point.
In June 2019, Ragnar Relay is headed to Sweden and I would love to take part! Who’s in?
Night stage was full of disco lights and high-vis
Atmosphere: My team had great banter over WhatsApp and very fun vibes in my van. At the big exchanges, everyone was chatty and friendly, even though the weather was grim. There really weren’t any spectators cheering you along the route on however, so at times it was a bit lonely. There was also potential to get lost because the sign posts were only at major junctions. You were supposed to be able to follow along on the app, but I struggled with this (I don’t get along with technology). The race does give you a chance to enjoy nature if you had a leg through the woods or along the coast. The runners were really spread out due to staggered starts and hand over logistics.
Race bling and goody bag: The team was given 10 medals that interlock with each other. On the back of each one is a Ragnar Relay quote, some of which resonated with each team member. I wasn’t too choosy, so I let everyone else have first dibs on their medals. At the end, everyone was given a free drink token and a voucher for one (small) pizza to share. Most of the goodies were in the bags given to each van at the start. Also included in the starter bags were sunscreen, lanyards, ear plugs, and disposable rain ponchos.
We did it! Celebrating at the finish line. Photo from Paz.
Tips if you want to take part next time: Before Ragnar Relay, I had completed a few relay events, some while camping (at the Spitfire Scramble) and some while on the road (Fitbit Fifty). Here are my tips for Ragnar Relay:
Practice running at weird hours so you know what to eat, how cold/hot you will get, and feel comfortable running in the dark.
Pack a Dry Robe, blanket, or sleeping bag. I did none of these as I was on public transport and 100% regret it. A pillow is a good idea too (maybe an inflatable one?)
Aim to get to the next checkpoint ASAP rather than leisurely change your clothes. We were late a few times and felt bad to have our team mate waiting in the rain.
Discuss with the team who is bringing what. You only need one foam roller per van but everyone needs their own battery pack to charge their phones.
You will need to bring water but will not be able to eat all of the food. We had time to go out for pizza on the earlier break when Van 2 was running but then slept during our second break.
Bring along a new set of clothes for each leg, and then pack another. I would have run the last leg if I had dry kit to wear. The sun was out and most of the team was running.
Keep the sweaty clothes in big zip lock bags to prevent the car from stinking up.
Make sure you have enough data on your mobile plan for all of the WhatsApp chats.
Some of the above I got from other people before I ran the race. Do you have any others to add? Let me know in the comments below.
Thanks to Simplyhealth for sponsoring my 4×4 Challenge. You can click here to learn about their new Active Plan, which is perfect for people who like to stay fit and healthy.
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