Introducing myself and welcoming you to my world of Running Cafe
Hello everyone, I’m Craig and I love to run.
Welcome to my blog, Running Cafe, which is an accompaniment to my YouTube channel. Also titled Running Cafe. On this blog, and on my channel, I document my running life including race vlogs, training, top tips, thoughts, and everything else along the way. Most often, there will be a video to accompany each of my written posts.
My main goal is to help runners achieve their goals, and to inspire them in whatever way I can.
Why I started running
I’m what you would describe as a naturally untalented and ungifted runner. Growing up, I was last in every race at sports day. I got out of breath easily, I didn’t seem to have a knack for any sport, and my running style (if you want to call it that) was incredibly awkward.
One morning, eight years ago, I was walking to the shops and I saw an overweight runner who looked like he was in immense pain. He was visibly red in the face, was making an array of interesting grunts and noises, and seemed to be going through hell. I asked him if he was okay, and if there was anything I could do for him. I can't remember exactly what he said, but it was something to the effect of ‘I’m okay, thank you. I’m doing the best thing I can for me right now and even though this is uncomfortable and hurts, it makes me feel alive.’ And off he went, continuing what I could only describe as a death jog down the road and out of view.
That chance encounter had a big impact on me. At the time, I was working during the week, seeing friends in the evenings, and travelling the country gigging with a rock band on the weekends. I wasn’t majorly unhealthy, nor majorly unhappy, but I felt like something was missing in my life. What the mystery runner said made me reflect on where I was going and what I was doing.
What I realised, after long reflection, was that I had grown accustomed to a life of comfort. I didn’t push myself physically, I rarely felt out of my comfort zone, and I was happy to spend my free evenings binge watching a show on Netflix rather than doing something meaningful. I was existing, fairly happy and all. But, I didn't know if I was living. It sounds a bit deep, but I think pushing yourself out of your comfort zone is one of the best ways to feel alive. Could I say that about my life at the time? I wasn't sure.
What struck me about the mystery runner was how he seemed to have such a sense of satisfaction. Whilst he wasn’t in the best physical shape, and was clearly struggling on his jog, his words and the way he said them expressed a deep sense of personal satisfaction and accomplishment.
When I realised all of these things, I had a long thing and I had a revelation. Before I knew what I was doing, I said out loud to myself ‘I fancy some of that.’ Pushing myself out of my comfort zone. Living.
So, I went online and ordered my first pair of running shoes. At first, it wasn’t easy. I remember being unable to walk after my first three mile run. The pain in my legs was agonising, I was out of breath, and I felt physically fatigued. But, I had a sense of achievement. To me, that was all that mattered.
Some of my journey so far and why I document my running
Fast forward to today in 2024 and I’ve been running for eight years. This sport has been a monumental and very important force in my life. I run most days, excited to put my running shoes on and head out the door for whatever training and adventures I have in store.
I’ve raced over 40 half marathons, 5 marathons, 6 100kms, a 100-mile race, I’ve done a race overseas in Austria, and I’ve met tonnes of great people and had many amazing experiences along the path of my running journey. Running is one of the best things in my life and I’m very grateful to be in a position where I can do it.
Being someone who is naturally ungifted and untalented at running, I want to share my journey and any top tips I’ve learned along the way. Starting out, maintaining running, taking on various races and challenges, can seem a bit daunting sometimes.
If I can do it, with where I started, then I hope I can inspire someone with my YouTube channel and my blog. Inspire someone to start running, to improve their training, to try a new challenge, to feel a sense of accomplishment and pride. If I can inspire just one person to do any of those things, then it’s a big win in my book.
The two main reasons why I run today
Every action we do, we do it for a reason. No matter how seemingly insignificant that reason may be. For me, I run for the following two reasons.
1. Adventure
The Cambridge dictionary defines adventure as 'an unusual, exciting, and possibly dangerous activity, such as a trip or experience, or the excitement produced by such an activity.'
I quite like this definition and for me, trail running is the best way to achieve a sense of adventure.
Being in a natural environment, away from urban life, with only you and your feet to move from point A to point B, sounds like adventure to me.
2. Challenge
For me, pushing myself to achieve and to improve is important. I like running because you can clearly measure your progress by collecting and analysing statistics. Pace, time taken, elevation gain, elevation loss, heart rate, calories burnt.
It’s not everything, but I like tracking my personal bests in a range of distances and seeing if I can better them or at least come close to them. As of January 2024, here are my current personal bests.
5km - 17:44
Half marathon - 1:22:36
Marathon - 02:58:56
50 Miles - 12:05:57
100km - 12:10:48
100 miles - 26:22:11
Some of my 2024 goals and projects
I have some ambitions, projects and goals for 2024. Here’s a few of them:
Running a sub 2-hour 50 marathon – Making my attempt at the Manchester Marathon in April.
Completing the Thames Path 100 mile race by Centurion Running – After two DNFs in 2022 and 2023, this would be a dream come true. Third time’s a charm, as they say.
Tenerife Bluetrail 110km – A summer ultramarathon in Tenerife, which will take me from the bottom to the top of the island, climbing over 20,000 feet in the process. Yikes, is all I can say when I think about it. But, I love adventure and I love challenge. I’m ready to give it a go.
Travelling – I’m taking a break from work from April 2024, and I’ll be travelling for 6 months. I’m planning to go to the Alps in Europe for a big chunk of that time, and I’m planning to spend lots of time trail running in France, Switzerland, Austria and maybe Slovenia. I can’t wait for the adventures to come.
Thanks for reading. I’m excited to keep experiencing running adventures and to keep challenging myself. I hope you enjoy coming along for some of the ride.
Craig
Running Cafe
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