Monday Morning Motivation: Xolani Luvuno and Hein Venter

Can you imagine having a leg amputated after having bone cancer? Such a life-changing situation would affect each of us in a different way. For Xolani Luvuno, it was a step on the path to homelessness and drug addiction. However, a chance encounter with Hein Venter changed his life. Venter listened to Luvuno’s story, gave him a job, found him...

Motivation Comments: 0

12 August 2019

Disappointment

My big event this year was to be Castle to Coast triathlon. RideLondon last weekend was my final big training event, so I was cautious and saved my energy. Sadly, the weather conditions meant that the event was cancelled. What a disappointment. I feel disappointed that I wasn’t able to take part as it was to be my only triathlon...

Triathlon Comments: 0

12 August 2019

Monday Morning Motivation: Rosy Ryan

This week’s inspiration is courtesy of Rosy Ryan, a parkrunner with pancreatic cancer. Rosy’s story was featured on Jessica’s parkrun Heroes. Belfast based, Irish-American Rosy, is a barrister who’s full of infectious enthusiasm for parkrun and for life. She oozes positivity and a ‘can-do’ spirit. Yet behind Rosy’s smiley demeanour lies a remarkable story of tenacity that is simply inspirational....

Motivation/Running Comments: 0

5 August 2019

Monday Morning Motivation: Danny Daycare

My Mondays always start with a cycle commute pulling a trailer, but that’s about where the similarity with Danny Macaskill ends. Enjoy! In his latest film Danny Macaskill takes on some child care the only way he knows how… by taking them for a wee bike ride around Scotland!

Cycling/Motivation Comments: 0

29 July 2019

Return to Heartlands parkrun

Originally, I had intended to visit Yeovil Montacute parkrun (or another event between Hampshire and Cornwall, such as Blandford or Henstridge Airfield) this weekend. However, some unfortunate planning means I have to be in London on Friday. I was intending to spend the week in Cornwall on holiday with my family. Instead, we drove to Cornwall on Friday night to...

Running Comments: 0

29 July 2019

Monday Morning Motivation: Buggsie Heath-Brown

Today’s inspiration is Buggsie Heath-Brown, a parkrunner with breast cancer. An episode of Jessica’s parkrun Heroes focuses on Buggsie’s story. Buggsie Heath-Brown is a larger-than-life character who loves her local Gladstone park. If she’s not appearing in disguise then she’s encouraging new parkrunners. But she is also hiding a secret that she kept from her parkrun friends which she reveals...

Motivation/Running Comments: 0

22 July 2019

Monday Morning Motivation: Rajpaul Pannu

Today’s motivation comes courtesy of Rajpaul Pannu. At 15, he weighed nearly 200lbs (over 14 stone or 90kg). He ate unhealthily. His father passed away from a heart attack at 40, so he knew he needed to change his life. Pannu took up running and after a 2:17 debut marathon has qualified for the US Olympic Marathon Trials. Read his...

Motivation/Running Comments: 0

20 July 2019

parkrun Tourism: Salisbury parkrun

Today was an arbitrary milestone for me as it was my 300th parkrun. Southampton parkrun was cancelled, so Stu and I agreed to do some parkrun tourism to Salisbury parkrun with our friends Rachel and Phil and their children. We’d chosen Salisbury parkrun for a couple of reasons. Firstly, it wasn’t too far from Southampton as an early start can...

Running Comments: 0

15 July 2019

Monday Morning Motivation: John Butcher

This week’s Monday Morning Motivation is another episode of Jess’s parkrun Heroes. The star of the episode is John Butcher. John is a veteran runner setting records into his late eighties. Together with friends Colin and Snowy this ‘Last of the Summer Wine’ running crew tour in search of new parkrun records. But running is also about dealing with the...

Motivation/Running Comments: 0

13 July 2019

parkrun Tourism at Portsmouth Lakeside parkrun

Continuing with our parkrun tourism this year, Stuart and I decided to go to Portsmouth Lakeside parkrun. This was my NENDY (nearest event not done yet). If you’re not sure where the nearest event is that you haven’t already run, visit the parkrun Tourist Tool. What’s the course like? I had read that some of the course is on a...

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.