I knew I wanted to do something meaningful to mark one year on from my husband's tragic passing, something that spoke of the horror of depression and the terrible consequences of suicide. I also wanted to do something that offered hope, that showed a way forward even in the midst of such suffering. Within mountain-running … Continue reading A Winter Denis Rankin Round to Remember
This time last year, I described myself as an adventure racer, mountain runner, author, wife and mother. Less than three weeks ago, I was forced to change that description to include the term, widow. I have lost count of the amount of people who have approached me since that day and told me that they … Continue reading Lost for Words…
‘800 grams?’ I asked. ‘Are you sure it’s 800 grams?’ Paul messaged me back, confirming its weight. His proposed tent for our Mourne Mountain Marathon race indeed weighed less than a kilo. My laser competition tent that we used last year was 1.2 kg, and that was considered super-light. But no, Paul wanted to shave … Continue reading Blown away by the 2018 Mourne Mountain Marathon
This year, I have been looking for new adventures. And Quest24 delivered this, and more, last weekend. For the past five years, I’ve been doing one-day adventure races around Ireland and the UK. By the end of last year, however, I realised that the ‘racing’ part was taking over, in a stressful, competitive way. The … Continue reading Finding True Adventure at Quest24 Adventure Race
I have recently found the perfect way to get children outside for a spot of exercise. Orienteering seems to have the magic formula to keep my young boys sufficiently entertained while getting a long walk in. We usually go on the yellow course, which is a two to three kilometre loop. Along the way, there … Continue reading Orienteering, the Champion Sport for Families
Ireland’s Annual Rogaine is one of this country’s best kept secrets. Every year, Setanta Orienteers hosts this race deep in the Wicklow Mountains on the weekend closest to the summer solstice. I’ve entered this race twice before, in 2007 and 2008. On my last outing, my partner Andrew and I were subjected to the worst weather … Continue reading Learning the ‘trick’ to the 6 Hour Rogaine
I was ready to go. I had spent months preparing for the day. I had recced the entire ninety-kilometre route during the dismal winter we had, when snow and glacial winds battered the Mourne Mountains. Returning from each run, I meticulously marked up my map with compass bearings. I had developed lists of food, drink, … Continue reading Failing to Respect the Denis Rankin Round
Last weekend’s Quest Wales Adventure Race was a great excuse for a quick holiday break away. All it took was a speedy ferry ride from Dublin to Holyhead and, in less than an hour, I was in Betws-y-Coed in the heart of Snowdonia, race HQ for the weekend. Wales is a brilliant place for anyone … Continue reading Quest Wales Adventure Race
Yesterday, more than three hundred women of all shapes and sizes, of differing motivations and abilities, congregated in the picturesque Scottish town of Crieff. They had entered the ‘Women Run Strong’ event, an annual ladies-only running event with a difference. What awaited them was a mouth-watering spread of activities. First up, they were greeted at … Continue reading Women Run Strong in Scotland
Finally, after months of waiting, today Bump, Bike and Baby - Mummy's Gone Adventure Racing was born! This week, an amazing array of wonderful bloggers reviewed the book in advance of its release. "She makes me want to be a better athlete." Find out what the fabulous Lauren Thomas from GirlRunningLate really thought of Bump, … Continue reading Bump, Bike and Baby Review Tour