Time to grasp the nettle - in running and life
Plus our usual round-up including podcasting with ultra runner and environmentalist Rebecca Leek and how running changed Hannah Philips' life
Sometimes you just have to grasp the nettle - literally 🌱
Yesterday’s 10k trail run involved some beautifully overgrown paths. It doesn’t seem logical that knee high stinging nettles would make for a fun run 🤩
But actually, bizarrely, they did!
I really enjoy tackling awkward and challenging paths on the trails - and it got me thinking about something I heard from an ultra runner. Sorry, can’t remember who! 😂
They said instead of simply coping with the pain cave, they’d decided to look forward to it and embrace it.
And they’d improved their times and enjoyed their running more as a result.
I’ve told a few people and it’s no secret, but for those who aren’t aware I’ve been having some therapy recently for anxiety.
One of the things I’ve been addressing is how to react to negative experiences or things I disagree with.
And I think it’s a bit like running through those nettles or entering that pain cave.
Sometimes life will throw things in your path, but you control how you react and if you grasp that nettle you might even enjoy it.
Food for thought…
Earlier this week I was trying to think of some inspiring words post-run🏃♂️
Maybe about what steps I’m trying to take to be a better runner - and more importantly a better me.
But I couldn’t think of any. So I posted an Instagram picture of my dinner!
Old school social media for you. Post a picture of your food 🥘
Moroccan chickpea and lentil stew by the way 😋
And now I’m thinking, hold on. That is me being a better me.
Cooking a healthy, tasty meal and preparing to write three things in my gratitude diary when a month or so ago I just wanted to hide from the world.
And I was about to write an article about a really inspiring lady who’s life was changed by running - you can read it below:
So, I decided that was enough words for one night. Not every post has to win a Pulitzer.
I was hungry after the run anyway, so the best I could offer was the chance to look at my dinner while I enjoyed eating it!
This week on…
The podcast:
This week’s podcast guest was ultra runner and environmentalist, Rebecca Leek, who is taking part in a climate relay to raise awareness of climate change.
Today (Wednesday, June 29), Rebecca is coming to Northampton - the home of the Running Tales Podcast! - to run a leg of the Running Out of Time relay.
The event is the biggest sporting celebration of climate action and nature ever attempted across Britain. Taking place between June 10 and July 11, the relay will travel 2,661km (1,653 miles) from Ben Nevis to Big Ben.
Rebecca has also made a number of environmental pledges, including using existing clothing and trainers during the event, travelling in a low carbon manner and taking positive action in the community.
It is the latest stage of a running career which only started two years ago - with a "shuffle" after listening to Chris Evans talking running on the radio.
Running Tales also talked to Rebecca about how she felt discouraged to run at school and how she recently won a 71-mile ultra...
Substack:
If you missed it, be sure to check out our article on Hannah Phillips.
From a chance encounter with a “fat girl” wearing the same top as her to coping with the heartbreak of miscarriage, Hannah Phillips’ life has been changed and shaped by running.
In the decade since she first went for a run wearing a balaclava to avoid being recognised, Hannah has becoming a best selling author, run a marathon and worked with Welsh Athletics.
And it’s all down to running.
If you have a paid subscription, you can read her story in full here: bit.ly/42TQcel
We also wrote about the climate relay, which is encouraging people to “work together to protect our world now and for future generations”.
Taking place between June 10 and July 11, the Running Out of Time Relay takes in 1,656 miles (2,661km) between Ben Nevis and Big Ben.
The event, described as ‘Britain’s biggest sporting celebration of climate action and nature,’ consists of 366 stages, with participants encouraged to run, cycle, walk or wheelchair race.
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