by Mollie Millington | Dec 14, 2018 | fitness, sponsored post, travel
Even though my day job has been in central London for over two years, I am still getting to know the area. I love being near St. Pancras and King’s Cross because of the easy transport links (and proximity to Platform 9 3/4’s). There is a big push to redevelop many of the neighborhoods nearby too which means there are always new shops and offerings. I have featured London active travel posts before (links below) and will try to feature different neighborhoods in the months to come (let me know in the comment below if you want me to research a specific area).
Active travel: London
Active travel: London Part II
Active travel: London, Stay Cool
Near my work, a new area has recently opened called Coal Drops Yard (CDY). It is right off Granary Square and offers lots of different shops and cafes. With the new year about to begin, I wanted to highlight some ways you can stay happy and healthy in CDY and Granary Square.
Stay active:
Of course, I am going to plug my beginners run club. We meet every Wednesday at 7am near St Pancras Station and head over to run through Granary Square, along the towpath and back through CDY. Download the MyCrewApp here and register for my runs. We have one more left in 2018 on 19th December and start up again 2nd January. There is a bag drop and we run at a social pace so new runners can build endurance and confidence. Over 60 minutes, we run a 5K route, giving you plenty of time to travel to work, shower and be at your desk by 9am.
If running isn’t your thing, there are also bootcamps on Saturday morning at 10am run by Moe.
Be dressed for the part:
The Sports Edit has opened it second London store with a new shop in CYD on the upper level. There you can find a selection of their extensive online shop. Both men’s and women’s clothes and accessories are available, including Run Dem Crew Stance socks, S’well water bottles, and Yankees baseball hats (if you were lucky enough to get tickets to the Yankees Vs Red Sox game in the Olympic Park in June).
Indulge in self care:
beautystack app is having a pop-up in CDY just in time for Christmas. You can book in for a selection of treatments, including manicures, facials, and hair treatments through the app.
FACEGYM is a concept from the USA which gives all 40 of your facial muscles a workout in just 60 minutes utilizing sports massage and myofacial release. I have yet to try it but I am intrigued!
Eat well:
For this recommendation, I will admit I am a little biased. Kerb KX is open every Friday in Granary Square. There are about a dozen food vendors to choose from with a variety of cuisine. I want you to go to Cyprus Kitchen (who is owned by a friend of mine) for some delicious posh kebabs and pitas. You won’t be disappointed.
Try something new:
I am always encouraging my clients to step outside their comfort zone and try something new. STORE Store is a socially engaged association of artists, architects, and designers that offers workshops in different creative disciplines in CDY. If December wasn’t such a busy month for me I would have like to try a few, like papercasting and marbling. Visit their website to see what workshops they have planned for 2019.
Just chill:
There are a large set of steps leading down to the towpath where you can meditate, read a book, or catch up with a friend over coffee or ice cream. I’m the summer, these are covered in Astro-turf to look like grass. This time of year, they can be chilly to sit on so bring a warm jacket, picnic blanket or newspaper to sit on.
With time, I am sure that CDY will be offering even more exciting shops and events. If you are in the area, have a mosey on over to see what it is all about. Let me know which bits are your favourite in the comments below.
This post is in collaboration with The Sports Edit. All content is honest and my own.
by Mollie Millington | Nov 9, 2018 | running, sponsored post, travel
I am experiencing a wave of relief as I type this. I knew that the 4×4 challenge would be tough on me physically, mentally and emotionally. There was so much packing, logistics, planning and physical effort involved to get it done. My house is a mess with bags half unpacked and new kit without a place to go. My usual habit is over-committing, so I am really looking forward to having no races booked in until February 2019. My first first priority now that I am done is sorting out my house (which will also keep my husband happy) and then focus on strength training. That Boston Qualifier isn’t going to come without some more hard work.
Here is a very brief recap of the races:
Marathon du Medoc, near Bordeaux France
Unofficial time: 6:21:31 (Link to my strava stats here)
Read my race review here
Ragnar Relay, along British coast
4 legs totaling 26.5 miles in less than 40 hours
Race review forthcoming
Wadi Rum Ultra, Jordan
257 km over 5 days. Hardest thing I have ever done
Race review forthcoming
NYC Marathon, USA
Official time: 4:49:15 due to 5 bathroom stops and sore legs from mile 20. Also my 4th World Marathon Major.
Race review forthcoming
Hogwarts Running Club Platform 9 3/4 run, benefiting Rods Racing
Bonus virtual race because I have a t-shirt that says “Run like You Know Who is chasing you”.
Coming soon are a million blog posts about the races, the kit, and preparation. If there is anything in particular you want to know about, leave a comment below and I will do my best to answer it.
Big thanks to Simplyhealth for supporting my 4×4 Challenge. Learn more about their new Active Plan by clicking here.
And don’t forget that through the month of December, I have an inspirational advent post every day through Christmas. Be sure to bookmark www.ptmollie.com so you see each and every one.
by thinkmarsh | Nov 9, 2018 | running, sponsored post, travel
I am experiencing a wave of relief as I type this. I knew that the 4×4 challenge would be tough on me physically, mentally and emotionally. There was so much packing, logistics, planning and physical effort involved to get it done. My house is a mess with bags half unpacked and new kit without a place to go. My usual habit is over-committing, so I am really looking forward to having no races booked in until February 2019. My first first priority now that I am done is sorting out my house (which will also keep my husband happy) and then focus on strength training. That Boston Qualifier isn’t going to come without some more hard work.
Here is a very brief recap of the races:
Marathon du Medoc, near Bordeaux France
Unofficial time: 6:21:31 (Link to my strava stats here)
Read my race review here
Ragnar Relay, along British coast
4 legs totaling 26.5 miles in less than 40 hours
Race review forthcoming
Wadi Rum Ultra, Jordan
257 km over 5 days. Hardest thing I have ever done
Race review forthcoming
NYC Marathon, USA
Official time: 4:49:15 due to 5 bathroom stops and sore legs from mile 20. Also my 4th World Marathon Major.
Race review forthcoming
Hogwarts Running Club Platform 9 3/4 run, benefiting Rods Racing
Bonus virtual race because I have a t-shirt that says “Run like You Know Who is chasing you”.
Coming soon are a million blog posts about the races, the kit, and preparation. If there is anything in particular you want to know about, leave a comment below and I will do my best to answer it.
Big thanks to Simplyhealth for supporting my 4×4 Challenge. Learn more about their new Active Plan by clicking here.
And don’t forget that through the month of December, I have an inspirational advent post every day through Christmas. Be sure to bookmark www.ptmollie.com so you see each and every one.
by thinkmarsh | Sep 20, 2018 | race review, running, sponsored post, travel
|
| What you will see most of the race- runners and grapevines. |
Have you ever heard of the Marathon du Medoc? This no-pressure race was the first in my 4×4 challenge. It is quite famous in France, as well as among the international running community, for its unique format. Fancy dress (costumes) are mandatory and wine it offered alongside water at all the refreshment stations. Many of my London running friends have done it before. A group of them had a spare place which gave me the opportunity to run the race this year. I love to explore new places by taking part in running events. This trip was no exception.
 |
| It seems a bit odd to be running on these gorgeous estates, but hey ho. |
Race entries and fees: This is by no means a cheap race. Registration was about €80, which included a really nice technical running t-shirt (women- size up as the women’s cuts is extremely form fitting), small branded drawstring bag, food and wine along course, “lucky dip” bottle of wine from one of the wineries along the course in a really nice wooden box, a cooler bag, finishing line rose for female finishers, a plastic cup for the after party, medal, and more food and drinks after the finish. Add on top to the cost of the registration fee the transportation and accommodation costs, especially if you decide to stay in Bordeaux rather than Pauillac.
 |
| Line for the loos |
Course and bogs: The course starts along the Pauillac riverside and winds through the vineyards of the Medoc region. Some of the course is paved and some on loose gravel and dirt. The start is a bit conjested due to the narrow town streets and plenty of runners but people start to spread out after the first and second wine stops. Of course, the scenery along the scenery is a very pretty due to the surrounding vineyards. We were spoiled by blue skies and sunshine too.
There are plenty of toilets in the start area compared to the number of entrants. I was really disappointed at the number of port-a-loos along the course through. There was a lot of peeing on the vineyards, which looked funny when several men dressed the same lined up adjacent rows.
The bag drop was a bit of a faff as all bags were searched, then a label was handwritten by someone else and attached before the bag was placed in a big trolley. Later, you collect your bag, they look at your bib for your number, then asked you in French ‘what color your bag was’ (I think) and dug through a large pile of bags.
 |
| Few members of Team FOOD! |
Location: Pauillac France, about an hour drive north of Bordeaux. You can fly direct to Bordeaux or take a train to Paris, then another to Bordeaux. From Bordeaux, there are occasional trains, a local coach (bus) service or the marathon has a private shuttle service organized too. Each option runs at a specific timetable which you should check before booking. Half of our group took trains via Paris and the other fly to Bordeaux.
 |
| Refreshment station |
Atmosphere: Was absolutely amazing! Everyone at the start line was happy and relaxed with the goal of having a good time. So many people from the local community were out too, both cheering us on and volunteering at the numerous refreshments stations. Many people put picnic tables out along the road and were enjoying meals as we ran by.
 |
| Goody bag was ace! |
Race bling and goody bag: Last year’s medal was in the shape of a guitar because the theme for the race was music. This year’s theme was amusement parks. The medal was round and had the roller coaster logo in the center.
 |
| Race 1 of my 4×4 challenge done! |
After you get your medal and bottle of wine, you can enter the after party tent, where there is more wine, beer, and snacks. We were a bit rushed for time at the end because we wanted to make the shuttle bus back to Bordeaux. Thirty minutes was enough time to have a few drinks before hopping on a hot bus and getting stuck in traffic. At least no one from our group got sick, unless some of the other passengers.
 |
| Team FOOD finishing hand-in-hand. |
Tips if you want to take part next time (from me and my teammates):
- Plan ahead. Accommodation is very limited in Pauillac. There are shuttle buses and trains but you need to book in advance. Pay attention to the booking cut off dates!
- Add a day or two on to your trip and enjoy Paris (especially if you have never been).
 |
| Matt and Pippa ended up slowly cutting off bits of their costume along the way. |
- Consider how hot and heavy your costume will be. If you are running with friends, matching costumes might make it easier to spot each other in the crowds. I was surprised to see that not all costumes were related to this year’s theme. There were lots of minions and Disney characters. You can be as creative as you want.
- Don’t forget you will be running a marathon. It is easy to get caught up in the other details for this event but you will be on your feet for about 6 hours if you enjoy the refreshment stations. You can take it at a party pace but it is still a lot of time on your foot.
 |
| Oysters, steak and ice cream are available at the last few refreshment stations. |
- The race website is extremely hard to navigate. The translations are poor which can be frustrating when you are trying to find the answer to something (like when the shuttle buses are).
- Pack medication for tummy troubles. Basically, we broke all of the normal pre-race rules by drinking the night before the race, staying up late the night before the race, and eating different foods like rich cheese and wine. I was suffering a bit from stomach issues on the course and wasn’t able to find an open pharmacy over the weekend until 11pm on Sunday night in Paris. It was not ideal.
 |
| Cheers! |
- Bring your friends and make some new ones along the way. There is plenty of time to meet other runners at the pasta party, race, and after party.
- Stay hydrated! We had unseasonable temps this year. Although you only get a few shots of wine at each refreshment station (I wasn’t even buzzing at the end of the race), keep drinking water along the way.
Have you ever completed Marathon du Medoc or something similar? Let me know in the comments below.
Post script: My teammate, Melanie, says she likes the little quirks of the race (website, bag drop, transport) and thinks is what makes it more of an adventure. I say there is a race out there for everybody!
 |
| One of the large ducks we had to avoid being run over by. |
Thanks to Simplyhealth for sponsoring my 4×4 challenge. If you enjoy living an active lifestyle, check out their new Active Plan.
by Mollie Millington | Sep 20, 2018 | race review, running, sponsored post, travel
|
| What you will see most of the race- runners and grapevines. |
Have you ever heard of the Marathon du Medoc? This no-pressure race was the first in my 4×4 challenge. It is quite famous in France, as well as among the international running community, for its unique format. Fancy dress (costumes) are mandatory and wine it offered alongside water at all the refreshment stations. Many of my London running friends have done it before. A group of them had a spare place which gave me the opportunity to run the race this year. I love to explore new places by taking part in running events. This trip was no exception.
|
| It seems a bit odd to be running on these gorgeous estates, but hey ho. |
Race entries and fees: This is by no means a cheap race. Registration was about €80, which included a really nice technical running t-shirt (women- size up as the women’s cuts is extremely form fitting), small branded drawstring bag, food and wine along course, “lucky dip” bottle of wine from one of the wineries along the course in a really nice wooden box, a cooler bag, finishing line rose for female finishers, a plastic cup for the after party, medal, and more food and drinks after the finish. Add on top to the cost of the registration fee the transportation and accommodation costs, especially if you decide to stay in Bordeaux rather than Pauillac.
|
| Line for the loos |
Course and bogs: The course starts along the Pauillac riverside and winds through the vineyards of the Medoc region. Some of the course is paved and some on loose gravel and dirt. The start is a bit conjested due to the narrow town streets and plenty of runners but people start to spread out after the first and second wine stops. Of course, the scenery along the scenery is a very pretty due to the surrounding vineyards. We were spoiled by blue skies and sunshine too.
There are plenty of toilets in the start area compared to the number of entrants. I was really disappointed at the number of port-a-loos along the course through. There was a lot of peeing on the vineyards, which looked funny when several men dressed the same lined up adjacent rows.
The bag drop was a bit of a faff as all bags were searched, then a label was handwritten by someone else and attached before the bag was placed in a big trolley. Later, you collect your bag, they look at your bib for your number, then asked you in French ‘what color your bag was’ (I think) and dug through a large pile of bags.
|
| Few members of Team FOOD! |
Location: Pauillac France, about an hour drive north of Bordeaux. You can fly direct to Bordeaux or take a train to Paris, then another to Bordeaux. From Bordeaux, there are occasional trains, a local coach (bus) service or the marathon has a private shuttle service organized too. Each option runs at a specific timetable which you should check before booking. Half of our group took trains via Paris and the other fly to Bordeaux.
|
| Refreshment station |
Atmosphere: Was absolutely amazing! Everyone at the start line was happy and relaxed with the goal of having a good time. So many people from the local community were out too, both cheering us on and volunteering at the numerous refreshments stations. Many people put picnic tables out along the road and were enjoying meals as we ran by.
|
| Goody bag was ace! |
Race bling and goody bag: Last year’s medal was in the shape of a guitar because the theme for the race was music. This year’s theme was amusement parks. The medal was round and had the roller coaster logo in the center.
|
| Race 1 of my 4×4 challenge done! |
After you get your medal and bottle of wine, you can enter the after party tent, where there is more wine, beer, and snacks. We were a bit rushed for time at the end because we wanted to make the shuttle bus back to Bordeaux. Thirty minutes was enough time to have a few drinks before hopping on a hot bus and getting stuck in traffic. At least no one from our group got sick, unless some of the other passengers.
|
| Team FOOD finishing hand-in-hand. |
Tips if you want to take part next time (from me and my teammates):
- Plan ahead. Accommodation is very limited in Pauillac. There are shuttle buses and trains but you need to book in advance. Pay attention to the booking cut off dates!
- Add a day or two on to your trip and enjoy Paris (especially if you have never been).
|
| Matt and Pippa ended up slowly cutting off bits of their costume along the way. |
- Consider how hot and heavy your costume will be. If you are running with friends, matching costumes might make it easier to spot each other in the crowds. I was surprised to see that not all costumes were related to this year’s theme. There were lots of minions and Disney characters. You can be as creative as you want.
- Don’t forget you will be running a marathon. It is easy to get caught up in the other details for this event but you will be on your feet for about 6 hours if you enjoy the refreshment stations. You can take it at a party pace but it is still a lot of time on your foot.
|
| Oysters, steak and ice cream are available at the last few refreshment stations. |
- The race website is extremely hard to navigate. The translations are poor which can be frustrating when you are trying to find the answer to something (like when the shuttle buses are).
- Pack medication for tummy troubles. Basically, we broke all of the normal pre-race rules by drinking the night before the race, staying up late the night before the race, and eating different foods like rich cheese and wine. I was suffering a bit from stomach issues on the course and wasn’t able to find an open pharmacy over the weekend until 11pm on Sunday night in Paris. It was not ideal.
|
| Cheers! |
- Bring your friends and make some new ones along the way. There is plenty of time to meet other runners at the pasta party, race, and after party.
- Stay hydrated! We had unseasonable temps this year. Although you only get a few shots of wine at each refreshment station (I wasn’t even buzzing at the end of the race), keep drinking water along the way.
Have you ever completed Marathon du Medoc or something similar? Let me know in the comments below.
Post script: My teammate, Melanie, says she likes the little quirks of the race (website, bag drop, transport) and thinks is what makes it more of an adventure. I say there is a race out there for everybody!
|
| One of the large ducks we had to avoid being run over by. |
Thanks to Simplyhealth for sponsoring my 4×4 challenge. If you enjoy living an active lifestyle, check out their new Active Plan.
by Mollie Millington | Aug 9, 2018 | running, travel
As someone who was cut from her high school football team for being slow, I never imagined I would be running marathons in my spare time while in my late 30s. Currently, I am pursuing the six World Marathon Major races, but when an advert for a desert ultra marathon caught my eye, I suddenly wanted more.
I started running in 2006 to fundraise for a local humane society. From 2011-2015, I supported RODS Racing as a way to grieve for my stillborn nephew. I have been slowly gaining my confidence from being the slowest girl on the team to a confident athlete who is up for a physical challenge. My latest adventure was climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in 2018 to summit on International Women’s Day.
This year by committing to Track Tuesdays and working with the amazing team at Function360, I have never felt fitter or faster. I have also started to drop excess weight by working with a nutritionist and staying focused on my goals.
With this in mind, I am super excited to announce my 4×4 Running Challenge!
Over September, October and November, I will take part in four different running challenges in four different countries. They are:
8 September: Marathon du Medoc– fancy dress and wine drinking marathon on Bordeaux region of France
21-22 September: Ragnar Relay White Cliffs, UK– relay race of 170 miles with a team of 10
7-13 October: Wadi Rum Ultra, Jordan- 250 km over 5 days in the Jordan desert with temperatures over 30 degrees C
4 November: NYC Marathon, USA- Mollie’s 4th World Marathon Major
 |
| #TeamLikeAGirl, who are my new friends |
Wadi Rum Ultra will be the hardest race for me. Although I am currently feeling strong in body and mind, the only experience I have in multi-day events is as part of a relay team for Spitfire Scramble and Fitbit Fifty. Plus, I have never run in the desert or an ultra (anything over 26.2 miles/marathon distance). To successfully train for Wadi Rum, I will need to add more miles into my marathon training schedule, more strength and conditioning to keep my body strong through the challenge, and somehow acclimatize my body to the heat for running for 30+ degree C temps (although the London heat wave is certainly helping). Can I do this while working full-time and having a (mostly) understanding husband at home? Time will tell.
I was lucky enough to take part in a Wadi Rum training weekend where I met lots of the racers. Everyone was friendly and happy to chat all things running (my kind of people!). We have another training weekend coming up in September where I hope to learn more about how to prepare effectively. There is so much to learn about running multi-day challenges, as well as caring for your feet. I need to sort out what I am going to eat along the way and make sure everything fits into my bag. Somehow, I will manage a way to fit it all in.
 |
| Salomon Agile 6 |
I am so blessed as a blogger to have developed relationships over the years with various brands. Many that I have worked with in the past are once again showing their support for my enthusiastic and adventurous efforts. I would like to say a huge thanks to these companies for sending me samples of the following kit to put to the extreme test over these next few months. Reviews will be posted after the challenge is complete.
Salomon- Agile 6 bag and Sense Ride trainers
1000 Mile- Breeze sock
Sole- Active Medium footbed
Skins- various compression wear (more info soon)
Suunto- Suunto 9
IV Doc- Post race treatment
One other aspect of this challenge will be verbalizing my ‘why’. Non-running acquaintances keep asking me why I signed up to do all of these races, why would you rather run 20 miles that have a BBQ, why do you over-commit yourself with fitness activities every day of the week? I can’t yet answer them. I think some of it stems from being cut from the football team. Another is that I do find it fun (when I am not injured, of course). Some of it might be to draw attention to myself as I am so far from friends and family back in the USA, I don’t want to be forgotten about. Lucky for me, I have plenty of long runs coming up to think this through more carefully.
If you want to keep tabs on me and my training over the next few months, please follow me on Strava. A little kudos goes a long way.
 |
| We raced down this huge dune near Brecon Beacon. I am pretty sure a local 9 year old girl (not pictured) won. |
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