Running opens our eyes to new experiences. These experiences always take different forms sometimes we learn about our body, other times our mind, I personally love discovering new surroundings in my local area. In my mind every run is an ever evolving journey of discovery, the more I run the more I realise this. The prospect of what I might learn about myself and my surroundings in the coming years is filling me with excitement.

The prime example body wise for me has been my feet. When I was injured the first thing my physio did was to get me to take my shoes and socks off and balance on one leg. I wobbled, then I did the same thing on my left leg and I really wobbled. In my rehabilitation we talked a lot about feet and how have strong feet feeds into having strong muscles throughout your legs. Since then I have switched to Nike Free’s 5.0 which I find brilliant, the sensation of feeling my toes spring off when running was something I hadn’t felt since I quit playing football regularly 8 years ago.

I am like so many people I am someone who loved the book ‘Born to Run’. And today Eric Orton (the coach from Born to Run who took part in the race in the Copper Canyon and helped transform the running of the author Chris McDougall) new book ‘The Cool Impossible’, dropped through my door. I am only a couple of chapters through but his focus has already been on feet and achieving muscle equilibrium before my injury this was something I suffered with massively. I was totally one sided. I have worked had to address this and I know I still have work to do, so Eric’s training plan is filling me with excitement. Although the prospect of buying a slant board (basically a little wooden ramp) for $80 doesn’t so much. I think my very amateur DIY skills may get a run out. I actually found this great blog by Warrior Woman on how to make your own slant board if you also have read the book and wondered about making one.

Also this weekend I will be heading the VegFest the biggest vegetarian and vegan festival in the UK. I am excited about meeting and listening to talks from ultra-marathon legend and vegan Scott Jurek another star of Born to Run and 7-times winner of the prestigious Great Western States 100 mile race. I have read Scott’s new book ‘Eat and Run’, as a fellow vegan, a keen cook and someone who has also lost a parent to muscle wasting disease, I felt a lot of empathy with what Scott had to say. I highly recommend reading this book, if you want to achieve a life with running as an important part of it.

I have also seen these two videos today which I really enjoyed for two totally different reasons. But if you’re a runner I think you will love them as well.

Boston Men 2011 Men’s Winner Slow Motion

8 Stages of Marathon Running



It would be great to hear from other runners who are heading to Vegfest. And it would be great if readers could link me to your running inspirations. Whether they are videos, photos or books, I am always keen to learn from other runners.