It was actually the Day before I decided I was going to become a Runner. 

Picture this: A mates 40th birthday bash, where some of my old mates are now serious runners. We're talking "ran around the world" serious (621 days, world record, the whole shebang),"ultra wins and FKTs" serious, and just plain "I don't wheeze going up stairs" serious. 

And then there's me: late 30s, slightly squishy, and my primary exercise was lifting pints.

Naturally, the question arose: "Still running, old boy?". See, back in the day (think pre-facial hair and questionable fashion choices), I was a runner. County level cross-country, sub 2:05 for 800m (still hold that school record, by the way – 2:10 on a bumpy grass track at 15. I like to think I was pretty decent).

So, the next day, fueled by equal parts nostalgia, peer pressure, and a massive hangover, I signed up for a half marathon. That first training mile? Let's just say it involved more walking than running. 

The 1st Mile you Run, is always the hardest! 

I think my longest training run was a mere 8 miles. But hey, I finished that half marathon!

Then, because apparently I'm a glutton for punishment, or stupid, or a bit of both, I signed up for a 110km ultra. Not, “Hay I ran a Half, let’s do a Marathon”. No. Lets do a 100k Ultra. 

I like Big Scary Goals. And just because I have not achieved something before does not mean it can not be done. 

If you think you can, or if you think you can’t, either way you are right. Always be thinking you can.

Covid delayed that race, because of course it did. But in 2021, I conquered the North Coast 110, a great event by @climbsouthwest, like the Arc was back in the day, but with more cream teas. I loved it! I bagged my first 100km race. 

2022 was supposed to be my year. I even snagged a ballot entry for CCC! But then… disaster struck. Turns out, obstacle courses with your kids are more dangerous than they look. Cracked / broke some ribs. Oops. Season over.

2023: Winter Wychavon Way Ultra. Check. That inspired me to try the Cotswold Way Century, using Race to the Stones as a warm-up (RTTS by  @thresholdtrailseries is a fantastic event – the gateway drug to ultras). The Cotswold Way Century (put on by the awesome @cotswoldtrailevents) was my first 100-miler. And since I live in the Cotswolds, it’s basically my backyard, and my training playground. Talk about home-field advantage! Loved it!

Then, late October, BAM! Waiting list entry for the Arc of Attrition. Three months out. I knew I had a 100-miler in my legs, but the Arc of attrition deserves respect. 

Too many people have gone into that thinking it’s just another 100miler. It’s not. Winter. Coast Path. Cornish Hills (not as bad a N.Devon hills IMO), and Cornish Murder Steps! 

So, I actually followed a training plan. 3-2-1 sessions five times a week (strength, cardio, core – the trifecta!). Five runs a week, long runs up to 35 miles, back-to-back runs… the whole nine yards.

I even changed my diet. After the Cotswold Way, I’d, shall we say, indulged. So, a high fat, high protein diet, and intermittent fasting (works for me, find what works for you). Fasted exercise too – morning 3-2-1s and up to 15-mile runs fasted.

Let me be clear, this was to hit some short term goals and not a long term sustainable diet. 

Intermittent Fasting, IMO is, or can be long term sustainable, if it works for you - find what works for you. I feel great when I do Intermittent Fasting, but I also know some that don’t gain the benefits. I did a 25+ mile run in Ketosis as part of my training and that was prob one of my best training runs - again, not recommending it to anyone, just something I wanted to try.

I remember a New Year's Day night run: 22 miles, in a storm, roads flooded. I was focused.

And a 30mile run the next night. The Arc is 14 hours of darkness, so get comfortable night running - luckily, I love night running.

I rocked up to the Arc with my legendary crew chief, @mattfredred (Redders). He’s a legend. Fact. Always has been, always will be.

A little stitch-related wobble early on, but then everything clicked. Or at least, that's how I remember it. Anyone who saw me in the last 20 miles probably saw a maniac with a grin, half running, half stumbling. Man it felt good.

I got my gold buckle! Felt amazing! 

The Arc of Attrition is incredible. Kudos to @Mudcrew_events for creating such an epic race. Now it's in the capable hands of @utmbworldseries, who I'm sure will continue the legacy.

I still remember talking to people the next morning. Those that had completed it, those who had DNF’d but determined to be back next year, and those that had been at the front pushing on. Mark Darbyshire smashed the course record that year, with Gavin Dale coming in a close 2nd.

And I remember chatting to the parents of Poppy Collingwood, and Poppy, who had won the 50miler and came 2nd this year. An amazing runner with a great looking running future.

Then, UTS 100k @ultratrailsnowdonia. My training wasn't ideal – niggles, illness, the usual suspects. And then, six miles into the race, disaster struck again. Some dude with poles tripped me on a technical descent (the Pyg Track). Twisted my ankle. Badly. I taped it up (fell running stirrup, the MacGyver of ankle support,  at the next aid station,) and finished, but it took me eight hours longer than planned. I was physically and emotionally done. Some say I was determined, but with hindsight I was stubborn. It took me nearly 6months for my ankle to recover from that.

Six months off running (except for a cheeky Parkrun in New Zealand) to recover. And that, my friends, led to the birth of TrailSkin.com!

We had already signed up for the National Running Show in April 2024, but the company wasn't even a thing yet. Six months off running, and now I'm running a running company. Irony, thy name is… me.

And as always, that first mile is the hardest.

Thank you to all who have supported TrailSkin.com so far. 

Thank you to all who I met at the @nationalrunningshow, what a great event that was. Thank you to all who will (hopefully) support TrailSkin in the future

I think my re-found passion for running has changed my life.

So, what's stopping you from getting out there and running your 1st mile.

Check out our awesome products at Trailskin.com, All Natural Skin Protection for your next adventure.

Natural.Skin.Wear.