My name is Ian and I am a runner.

Ask anyone who knows me and that’s how I’m usually described, it’s encompassed my life for over ten years. I don’t have a favourite distance,I just like running. I’ll happily run around the block, race a 5k, have a day in the hills with my mates or run a 100 miler through the night, sometimes two nights and embrace the hallucinations and foot maceration that such adventures bring.

Recently though I’ve fallen out of love a little with running. I don’t know why, I just have. I still do run, volunteer at my local athletics track twice a week and run a coaching business, I’m just not ‘A runner‘ at present.

My nearest and dearest have noticed a change (and not just in my waist size!) I’m a bit grumpier than usual, a little sluggish and have a general cloud of can’t be arsed following me everywhere I go.

Two random conversations recently have sparked something at the back of mind. Firstly having a chat/moan with my barber Gary, he asked me why I don’t do a blog and put my thoughts on paper. I used to blog and loved it, I’ve always worked better when I get my thoughts on paper. Work, life and the impossible gatekeepers of a certain company that sounds like bird press who made it absolutely impossible to retrieve my old blog after I forgot the password put it to bed and I simply fell out of the habit.

The second conversation was with my mate Neil after me telling him I just wasn’t feeling it…….

He was on holiday at the time and sent me this photo…..

Now while I may not be packing my race vest and heading towards chamonix to live amongst the big hills anytime soon, he did have a point. I do love running uphill and I’ve never been one to do things by half, I started to look for an adventure that’s going to both inspire me to become ‘a runner’ again and challenge the very limit of my capabilities.


Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the DBR

Montane Dragon’s Back



What’s the Dragons back you ask? Well it’s a 6 stage multi day race from Conwy Castle to Cardiff Castle

How far is it?
The 380km (236 mile) route is completed over 6 days.

How much ascent is there?
The total height gain is 17,400m (57,087 feet)

If you’re thinking, what a dick, you’re probably right!

If you fancy following my journey, into the land of super long place names, beautiful scenery and 20mph speed limits. Stayed tuned!

Ian.