It’s hard to believe that this is Pascal’s first Rat Race event after a 5 year break. At one point, it felt like he was a serial Rat Racer and there was no injury serious enough to deter him from signing up for another one during his post-race high. It only took a global pandemic to break the cycle. But then, his 50th birthday arrived and he felt the “need” for another challenge. So here we all are again.

Continue reading “Coast to Coast (Scotland) 2024”

Thousands of books on management practice have been written, covering a multitude of disciplines and methods. Some are excellent, some not so much – but none of them are as important a read as you’ll get from ‘reading’, and talking to, your colleagues. Continue reading “People Management and the art of the Kicking Session”

2 days to go…

and the support tape is packed. Pascal is trained in how to apply it and has grudgingly shaved around his ankle to make sure it sticks. Apparently, this is all the preparation an elite athlete needs. That and a massive spag bol. *snigger*

Continue reading “Man vs Lakes 2019”

Prologue

Only 3 days to go until Pascal sets off on his latest crazy stunt. Sim will be setting the pace having proved that 73 miles is within the limits of his legs. (I’m still bloody impressed by Pascal’s 43 miles!)

We’re doing last minute logistics planning, agreeing a run-fuelling flapjack recipe that I can cook at my mum’s whilst we are currently kitchenless and flapping a large paper OS map around to work out where the kids and I can cheer them on during the race. Continue reading “Man vs Coast 2019”

0700 And they’re off!

Pascal and Sim (being highly trained Ultra athletes) spent The Night Before loading their bodies with carbs and trying to get a good night’s sleep. Continue reading “The Wall 2019”

I find it interesting to find out more about what creatives do, and how they use their tools. Many people don’t create anything – the same cannot be said of you, Rich (Tricky DJ), and I think that the stuff you do is awesome, and I think that it’s work writing about. Some of the questions aren’t entirely applicable to you, so we’ll have to adapt slightly – so ‘What was your first Mac’ becomes ‘What was your first computer?’

So what was it? What was your first computer? Continue reading “Creative – Richard Hanson”

The private sector has a bee in its bonnet about cutting costs, to the extent that it is also trying to pare its workforce to the bone.  Only by doing this, it is thought, will they recover to economic growth and stability. It’s accountant logic.  After a point, it’s also utter bullshit. Sadly, the public sector seems to be catching on to this fatuous idea too. Continue reading “Cutting Costs”

At 22:03, Pascal finished. He’s exhausted (obviously) but so pleased to have completed the entire event. Apparently his friends have forgiven him. From what I hear, they got it out of their system early on (cathartic mutterings of “Pascal the ****”) and were ready with celebratory hugs at the finish.

His first words one the phone were “Remind me that I don’t want to do this again.” A bit later on he admitted that he’s still very tempted by this Coast to Coast event. Not this year though. *phew*

He’s stretched and he’s off for a shower. And hot food. And more stretching. And beer. And sleep.

Congratulations, to my husband and his brave friends. An amazing result.

Here’s the route they’ll be taking on today.

In case you are wondering, the black markers are extra treats for the runners – a swim, a kayak trip, a vertical kilometre (that’s immediately after the Bay). Continue reading “Man vs Lakes 2018”

And one is sleeping (possibly a cunning energy conservation strategy). The budget airline style coach is whisking them to the start line many many miles from their finish line campsite. Continue reading “There were 7 on the bus…”