Let’s live in the moment. Let’s take advantage of any opportunities that pop our way. Social media is a merciless temptress, fresh from completing the Brathay 10 in 10, my Facebook feed keeps flashing me with unadulterated images of wonderful runs, races and events. After weeks of ‘running porn’, I just can’t say no. With little over six weeks to prepare I succumb to another runner’s plea to take their entry for the Race Across Scotland off their hands. Plus, at my age it’s i

The plan was to enjoy football, enjoy coaching, and enjoy making a difference. The best-laid plans of mice and men... The Journey Begins I thought I could genuinely help. I was an okay footballer and a half-decent hospitality manager. With my basic coaching badge tucked under my arm, I believed I could help a talented bunch of individuals become more of a team. I wanted them to be a force and achieve something to be proud of. But, oh boy, did I miss a few tricks. I never wrot

Paddington Takes The Air Even though I've been here before, I still get sweaty palms. After all it's just like preparing for take off, statistically very unlikely to crash after you've left the ground, statistically very likely to finish, but you never know? After all, just like flying, 10 marathons (or more for some astounding people) is not quite the norm is it? Day 10, is a wonderful bit of theatre, just like any performance, there are a few nerves jangling. Apparently

The Best of Paddington Bear Day 9, pretty cool eh? With the training I've not done, I'm over the moon to still be here. What's even cooler is, today I've completed my quickest marathon for the week (or nine days to be factually accurate). What's even more amazing is that I've not done any stupid stuff, no pranks on Dr Katie, no stupid asides, no lateness, pretty much been on time for everything, maybe the last few years, I've grown up? Now that would be something. You kno

Paddington Goes to Town Matt Damon, appears to me to be such a good guy, he may not be? I guess I'll never know. I like how he plays characters, Jason Bourne, Linus Caldwell, Mark Watney, Benjamin Mee and Will Hunting to name but a few. Yesterday, I thought I felt my hamstring begin to go, so for a long while I walked, probably about 12 miles, it was a long schlepp and boring. There's only so many times you can try to sing to kill a few minutes, or maybe kill a song for a

Paddington Marches On It's hazy, although some details crystal clear, the emotions, raw and unfiltered. Another nightmare. I'm in a house, I'm downstairs, with a child, not sure who's child but a young person, maybe 5 or 6 years old. The kettle is on, we're at the kitchen table, warm sunlight is streaming in but it doesn't feel like the afternoon. The click of the kettle, the muffled tick of a clock, light chirps of birds, but then a shocked, short shriek and a very defini

Or 'Different Endings' What the hell am I doing? I thoroughly enjoy my new career and working for myself but what on earth am I putting myself out for? The idea was that I'd create the balance I never really had in hospitality (or is that looking back through tainted, murky glasses), for family, for work, for exercising and raising money for charity and maybe the occasional blog. What seems to be the case is waking up at daft o'clock to do lessons or work late to prepare s

Diary Day 10 of the Brathay 10in10 (ten marathons in 10 days).