I suppose one way to describe my running style (and there are many comparisons that come to mind) would be like a puppet on a string. However, that is not the thinking behind this post. This morning it was a bit overcast here on the Black Sea coast in Bulgaria, perfect conditions for a little … Continue reading My Annual Puppet on a String Run
Author: Derek Lee
I was born in Croydon, South London and eventually settled in Northamptonshire. After more than 30 years as a clinical psychologist in the NHS, my welcome retirement finds me dabbling in bits and pieces - e.g., writing, running, martial arts and photography.
The Things We Do For Love…of Running
Today's run was not particularly enjoyable in itself, but it was helpful in my quest to at least maintain a habit and a reasonable base level of running fitness. It was just 5k through a little seaside village, and where the pavement ends the wild stuff begins. Well, it wasn't that dramatic, it's just that … Continue reading The Things We Do For Love…of Running
A Cup of Tea and a Biscuit
This morning I enjoyed a gentle 5k run around the grounds of the Palace of Culture in Sofia. Marathon Del hits the culture trail! The major triumph was managing not to fall over like I have done previously on this route. There are steps to negotiate and some uneven paving, and falling into a fountain … Continue reading A Cup of Tea and a Biscuit
Gentle on my Toe
I went for a lovely recovery run this evening, my first outing for just over two weeks. Outing? It makes me sound like a race horse. Mind you, that was one image that popped into my mind as I was running. Not due to my graceful cantering, but because I noticed one stretch where there … Continue reading Gentle on my Toe
Symmetry and Asymmetry
There has been a lull in my running activity of late, mirrored by a lull in posting on this site. Now, that's a kind of symmetry! The starting point for this topic was the observed asymmetry between my differential proneness to injury. Until last weekend, it was usually the case that injuries sustained during my … Continue reading Symmetry and Asymmetry
Running Like a Moustache
Now, I wonder where this is going? That is often the thought I also have when setting out for a run. The code of conduct for running training dictates that you should always know what kind of run you are undertaking, be it recovery, speed focused, strengthening or endurance building. Today's run was too fast … Continue reading Running Like a Moustache
Horsepower and VO2 Max
Things may have been a little quiet of late, but that does not mean I have been neglecting my running. I enjoyed a lovely recovery run at the end of last week, and this Sunday I resumed my endurance-building with a longish run along a stretch of the Brampton Valley Way. The "recovery" was needed … Continue reading Horsepower and VO2 Max
Dr Derek’s Running Equations
It often surprises me how my mind seems to end up in strange places when I am running. I suppose if it is an often occurring event, the element of surprise should have diminished over time. However, such an inconvenient fact would have deprived me of a good opening line. And the capacity to be … Continue reading Dr Derek’s Running Equations
Dr Derek’s YI Foods System
There is a smorgasbord of advice available to runners who want to optimise their training and racing by adopting the right nutritional strategy. We elite athletes don't have time for diets - we go straight in with nutritional strategies. I'm sure everyone is familiar with high and low GI (glycaemic index) foods. Less well known … Continue reading Dr Derek’s YI Foods System
Back on Track
At the moment I feel like a runner between gigs, not sure of what lies ahead in terms of running opportunities or challenges. As the glow from completing the Edinburgh marathon 3 weeks ago begins to ebb away, I think it is important not to slip into idleness or into a pattern of unstructured/directionless training. … Continue reading Back on Track
Psychologist on the Move 