The Joy of Ups & Downs: Life Lessons From Running Hills
Running, much like life, isn’t always easy. There are tough climbs and slow jogs, challenging sections that test your limits, and steady stretches where you can breathe again. These ups and downs aren’t just part of the run – they reflect the terrain of everyday life. And the truth is, some of the clearest life lessons […]
How to Run Hadrian’s Wall in 3 Days (My Itinerary & Advice)
Running the Hadrian’s Wall route covers three counties and a beautiful part of the world I’d always wanted to experience. I decided to run Hadrian’s Wall a few years back in August. I did so to raise money for St Leonard’s Hospice in York who cared for my late wife, Natalie, over the course of […]
Running as Therapy: Think, Heal & Grow Through Running
As any regular runner will know, the therapeutic benefits of running are up there with any cardiovascular gains. So much so, I’ve dedicated much of my writing on Joy Runs to the emotions of running. What it feels like. What it gives back. How running as therapy is an important act of self-love. The best […]
How to Start Trail Running: The Joy of Off-Road Runs
If you’re wondering how to start trail running, you’re in for a treat. Free range, off-road runs are all-out adventure. The pinnacle of outdoor exercise. Raw, exhilarating, beautiful, and sometimes unforgiving, you never quite know what you’re going to get. An escape from the monotony of road running, trail running exposes you to ever-changing landscapes […]
The Joy of Golden Hour Runs: Inspiration on Tap for Runners
There’s something magical about catching golden hour on a run. The luminous colour palette. The connection to nature. Fleeting moments. Each one different. Golden hour runs are therapeutic fuel for the soul. We’ve all been stopped in our tracks and succumbed to watching a deliciously spellbinding sunrise or sunset. Watching the sun slowly slip behind […]
The Joy of Plogging: Litter Picking on a Run
Running not only feels good, it can do good too. Running off-road you’ll notice trails dotted with litter. It’s a threat to wildlife and ecosystems, an eyesore against the beautiful backdrop of nature, and a magnet for even more trash as one disregarded item normalises the behaviour for others. A growing community of runners are […]
Running Burnout: When & How Running Addiction Hits
Confession time: I’m a former running addict. That’s a big statement, but daily 10kms and extreme runs at a weekend were my norm. Even when I wasn’t training for a race, my running had simply gotten out of hand. My running journey started out of humble beginnings, wanting to stay active outdoors, before quickly becoming […]
The Joy of Rest: Recovery Runs vs Rest Days
Miles make the runner. But they can also undo them. Overdoing your running can lead to injuries and dent motivation levels. That’s why recovery runs and rest days should be incorporated into every training plan, especially after big race or training week. It’s important to factor in rest days and easy runs when you are […]
The Joy of Slow Running: Swapping Speed for Soulful Runs
Speed isn’t everything. Slow running is about deliberating embracing a slower pace to enjoy more enriching journey-based runs. An unhurried way to get from A-B that brings with it many mental health benefits, unexpected joys, and opportunities for connection. It’s a zeitgeist shift away from the feeling you need to be constantly rushing around – […]
The Joy of Urban Running: Tap Into a City’s Soul
The great urbanist Jane Jacobs once said you need to walk a city’s streets to see its soul. The same is true of urban running. I enjoy the adrenaline hit provided by running in a city. There’s so much to love… It’s a feast for the eyes. There’s the energy of city life. The concentration […]