Tag Archives: running

A year in moments #17 – The Peak and the Ultrarunners

I sat on a bench at the top of Victoria Peak in Hong Kong in the dark. I was in shorts and a singlet, because it was still hot and humid as fuck, even at night. I was waiting for two people I’d never met before. I was in Hong Kong for a week, andContinue reading “A year in moments #17 – The Peak and the Ultrarunners”

A year in moments #14 – Bleedin’ hell

The winter sun was shining on my face, feeling warm against the chill of the air, as I ran slowly up the hill. I was feeling a bit grotty, a bit sluggish, and it was good to get outside. I stopped to take a picture halfway up the hill, the view across the snow-capped mountainsContinue reading “A year in moments #14 – Bleedin’ hell”

A year in moments #7 – the last kilometre

My legs ached with every step. Every time my feet touched the ground, the pressure shot up into my hips, making it feel like my hip joints were grinding, bone on bone, in their sockets. The soles of my feet were sore, I could feel each small pebble through the bottom of my trainers. OneContinue reading “A year in moments #7 – the last kilometre”

A year in moments #6 – an introduction

In the sea of unfamiliar faces, I spotted someone I recognised. I made my way over, thankful to have someone to talk to rather than loiter by myself in the crowd, none of who also seemed to be alone. I’d noticed this a lot in New Zealand; people don’t do much stuff by themselves, whichContinue reading “A year in moments #6 – an introduction”

A year in moments #5 – head injury guy

I ran a hill track most Tuesday mornings before work last year and started to see the same guy around the same time, walking up the hill. Stripy hat, backpack, brisk pace. After a few weeks I shouted a cheery hello as I ran past up the track. “HELLO! You must have the same TuesdayContinue reading “A year in moments #5 – head injury guy”

A year in people #80 – Tess

When I first saw Tess I saw this edgy, trendy, cool chick. You know the kind, the ones that you can feel a bit intimidated by. She had a cool social media presence, worked in some trendy job in Brighton and had the best notebook for this running writing workshop we were at. And woreContinue reading “A year in people #80 – Tess”

A year in people #74 – Emma

“Tara! I need your help.” My friend Emma shouted from downstairs. “I think you need to call an ambulance.” She was staying with me after an operation in which a metal coil was put down the main (femoral) artery in her leg.  “I think something’s bleeding inside, it’s happened really quickly.” She lifted the coversContinue reading “A year in people #74 – Emma”

A year in people #65 – Siany

Sian is a little Welsh rocket. A lean mean fitness machine who just keeps going and going and going until she literally drops (or gets meningitis). She’s also the kind of person you just want to pick up and put in your pocket and keep safe from the world. See, she’s tough and feisty andContinue reading “A year in people #65 – Siany”