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
Tag: Humour
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
Running Behind Schedule
I skipped my Sunday long run this week - as in missed it, not that I actually skipped and gamboled like a lamb for several miles. That would be something to blog about! My plan was to do a Monday long run instead, but that didn't quite happen either. Quite happen? Let's be honest, it … Continue reading Running Behind Schedule
Running with Jelly Babies
This is a sign of things getting serious - 35 days out from the big day and I'm turning my attention to my nutritional strategy. I have dabbled with dates, fiddled with figs, and today I've been jogging with jelly babies. They pack a good carbohydrate punch, and with correct pacing of their consumption, can … Continue reading Running with Jelly Babies
Running Like a Penguin
Further to last week's post (Running Against the Rules), I have received a warning letter from the marathon police threatening to confiscate one of my training shoes for a week. This would have meant training in hopping mode, and I didn't fancy getting in touch with my inner frog. So, despite the inclement conditions, I … Continue reading Running Like a Penguin
Running Against the Rules
It is not widely known that we elite athletes have to sign up to a solemn code of practice once we put on our personalised running shoes. These are not personalised in the sense of having our initials embroidered on them (but I daresay this could be an option), rather they match the degree … Continue reading Running Against the Rules
Running and Social Facilitation Theory
Oh, my mind was busy today as I trundled along for my weekly "long run". I was aiming for a Pavarotti. To be more specific, it was a flat Pavarotti. The flat part is self-explanatory - after my struggles with hills (or "positive inclines") during earlier long runs, I thought I would revisit a fairly … Continue reading Running and Social Facilitation Theory
The Abbreviated Runner
In the pantheon of elite runners, one may think that the abbreviated runner is a close cousin of the inebriated runner. This is a fundamental error, due to putting too much importance on rhyming - which, incidentally, is the curse of the poetic runner, who can also be found in the pantheon, just ahead of … Continue reading The Abbreviated Runner
In Praise of Blueberries
My personal attack on purple broccoli has led to a public backlash and the running police are on my case for promoting a more individualistic and maverick approach to training. Random boxes of fresh vegetables (including copious quantities of the dreaded broccoli) have been left on my doorstep, and my email inbox has been … Continue reading In Praise of Blueberries
Forget the Purple Broccoli
There are many resources for aspiring runners like myself to access in that never-ending quest to squeeze the last ounce of energy and effort from our bodies as we chase our individual running goals and personal bests. The quest is never-ending in the same way that the finishing line in Madeira Drive seemed to recede … Continue reading Forget the Purple Broccoli
Psychologist on the Move 