parkrun Tourism: Upton House parkrun

Last Saturday was my first bit of parkrun tourism for 2019. We were visiting Stuart’s parents who live near to Bournemouth, so we had several options. We’ve run at Brockenhurst, Bournemouth and Poole parkruns, but hadn’t tried Moors Valley or Upton House parkrun. I thought that we should save Moors Valley for another day as it’s nearer to where we...

Running Comment: 1

19 February 2019

Are you at risk of Red-S?

For many years, the Female Athlete Triad was a recognised condition characterised by:– energy deficiency with or without disordered eating– menstrual disturbances/amenorrhoea– bone loss/osteoporosis.However, this classification failed to recognise that male athletes (whilst obviously not suffering from amenorrhoea) could also be at risk of this condition. The new name: Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (Red-S) more correctly identifies what the problem is without suggesting that only...

Fitness/Nutrition Comments: 0

18 February 2019

Monday Morning Motivation: Rhonrad Dok

This week’s Monday Morning Motivation features a sport that you may not have heard of: Wheel Gymnastics. This (incorrectly labeled) video showcases a group of young Dutch athletes performing some incredible tricks. https://www.instagram.com/rhonrad.dok/?hl=en Dok Rhönrad team on Instagram If this has inspired you to find out more about this sport, why not visit: Wheel Gymnastics UK What sport would you love...

Fitness/Motivation Comments: 0

14 February 2019

Is breathing essential?

So, how’s my training going? Well, if I didn’t need oxygen, I’d say ‘GREAT’, but that’s not the case 🙁 Unfortunately, my unhealthy start to 2019 continues. I’ve just got over the worst case of sinusitis imaginable and have now got a cold. I’ve got a very annoying cough and my lung function is only at 70%, so I’m feeling...

Fitness/Running/Swimming Comments: 0

11 February 2019

Monday Morning Motivation: Last place finishers

Look no further for motivation this week. This CNN story details the inspirational stories of people who were the last-placed finishers in races around the globe. It examines what motivated them to complete the events when others in their situations would never have started. The final finisher: The inspiring stories of last-place marathon runners Who/what has inspired you this week?

Motivation/Running Comment: 1

8 February 2019

13 reasons why being a mother is a lot like being a triathlete

1. The anticipation before your first one is huge and it’s a life-changing event. (I’ve heard people get blasé about further occurrences, but even so there’s likely to be a frisson of excitement and nerves before each one!) 2. It’s expensive. You end up buying a whole load of kit you never knew existed… and even though you read a...

Triathlon Comments: 2

8 February 2019

Into the cold

I saw Into the cold and it helped to inspire me to get in the pool this week. Thirteen years ago Diana Hayes started all-season swimming around Saltspring Island off the coast of British Columbia. She inspired friends and neighbours to join her and today the Salt Spring Seals pull on wetsuits, fix masks and snorkels to their heads, and...

Swimming Comments: 0

28 January 2019

Monday Morning Motivation: Tom Scheer

Tom Scheer is an American who once tipped the scales at 350lbs (over 25 stone/nearly 160kg). On January 1st 2006, he set himself the goal of completing all of the Ironman triathlons in North America and racing in Kona. Scheer completed his first Ironman in Wisconsin in 2007. He qualified for Kona under the Ironman Legacy Program, having completed at...

Motivation/Triathlon Comments: 0

26 January 2019

A swim, two runs and a conference

What another crazy week. There was a lot that I needed to get done, around preparing for a conference presentation, but I was determined to fit some exercise in. I swam on Monday. I decided to swim 1250m, as that’s half of the distance that I need to do for Swimathon. It felt quite challenging, at the time, but I...

Running/Swimming Comments: 0

21 January 2019

Monday Morning Motivation: Jasmin Paris

I already had a Monday Morning Motivation post planned, but after Jasmin Paris’s amazing performance last week, I knew that I had to dedicate this week to her. On Wednesday, Paris won the Montane Spine race, a gruelling ultra covering 268 miles across the Pennines. Whilst completing a race of that distance is an amazing feat for anyone, there are...

Motivation/Running Comments: 0

Hi, I'm Tamsyn!

Triathlete | Blogger | Running Coach & Fitness Instructor

As an overweight couch potato, I decided to turn my life around. I lost over 33lbs/15kg and now love keeping fit and healthy. In February 2013, I set myself a challenge to complete an iron-distance triathlon (2.4 mile/3.8k swim; 112 mile/180k bike; 26.2 mile/42.2k run).

Since starting my triathlon journey, I’ve:

learnt to swim and completed a 17.5km sea swim

bought my first road bike and cycled across Japan

run six marathons.

had a baby.

I’ve not completed an Ironman yet… but I’m getting there.