Tag: Stories
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This one’s for you
This is a message for those that know meAnd it is a signal to those that don’tIt goes out to those that are reading thisAnd it’s written for those that won’t Your words are fuelYour gestures the catalystYour thoughts provide an impetusYour feedback the direction This is for the “Wow” that marked a turning pointFanning…
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50k (The Gatliff Marathon)
“50k?”, shouts the skinny man running towards me in tiny shorts and a flourescent vest.“50k!”, I cry in return before wading into the river. Well, it’s more of a flooded field than a river but it certainly looks like the latter and, as it rises across my shins, over the knees and up my thighs,…
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Life in the fast lane – Guest Blog: Alastair Humphreys
It gives me great pleasure to introduce today a guest blog from someone who, although he may not be aware, has been pivotal to me in many ways: Alastair Humphreys. I read Al’s blog all the time but I’ve also read his books and know that he has a wonderfully creative way with words. So,…
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Mile Diary #2 – I wrote it in Comic Sans
I assume the walls were once cream but now they’re a mosaic of scuff marks from black rubber and grubby patches where sweaty palms rested and slick finger tips gripped. The strip-lighting and low ceiling don’t do it any favours either. Nor, for that matter, do the two guys lying on the floor grunting like…
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Mile Diary #1 – Not enough lycra
Warning: This article contains references to, and discussion of, the term “chafe”. Those under 18 and/or of a weak constitution are advised to seek advice before reading Why does this always happen? I’m late. Cycling through rain back from Guildford. On the train back from London. Discussing the terms of another voluntary position (are any…
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Consider this your excuse
It would be fair to say that I like doing things that other people often consider weird. Taking cold showers, swimming outdoors and dragging tyres spring to mind, as do most of the things on this page. I PULLED TYRES to train for a planned North Pole trip. It’s the standard training method for that…
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My Subtle Epiphany
Eureka moments don’t happen. There’s no such thing as a split-second moment of inspiration or a lightning strike, flash bulb of an idea. At least, not for me. Instead, there’s a kind of slow creeping realisation. A subtle epiphany that strikes with the alacrity of treacle off a spoon. – My train’s due in 8…
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Memories of a season
The bright shades of Autumn awake me from the revelry of driving slumber. Take me out of the car, off the road and into a memory with the taste of sugar on baked grapefruit. It’s cold. Much colder than it is now. Today is unseasonably warm but here we are wearing scalves and watching our…
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I Feel at Home in Traffic
I get nervous in big crowds. Never quite sure how to stand or where to put my hands. I enjoy company and small groups – even the focus of their attention – but more than that and I am a wreck. Presented to strangers I am uneasy but anonymous amongst them I am at peace.…
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He’s Dropped His Axe
He’s dropped his axe. Of all the things we tried to impress onto them, keeping hold of your ice axe was probably number one. But now he’s left standing against a vast white backdrop, the solo violinist on centre stage without a bow. I’m on the snout of a glacier attached to three teenagers by…
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Mountains and Mole Hills
My legs are pistons, firing repeatedly in a hypnotic cadence, a relentless machine hell bent on speed. Churning the big cog over and over, I’m flying through London at a dangerous rate of knots. The low sunlight reflects off a tower block in the distance, each of its windows flashing bursts of light like the…
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The Struggle
It’s hard to tell in the middle of the night but when I woke up it was clear that something was wrong. My stomach was cramped and sitting up was such an effort that I had to lie back down immediately. It had been raining all night and the mosquitoes were lined up outside my…