Journey

The Olympic Road To Success With adidas

As we settle down to watch the Olympics this summer in Paris, we won’t fail to notice the number of nations and athletes kitted out in the iconic three stripes of adidas. Much like with the footballers involved in Euro 2024. As a brand, adidas is synonymous with excellence, but adidas doesn’t only kit out Olympians and international football players. Everyday athletes like you and I can emulate our favouriite athletes and not just in how we dress, but also in our approach to training and keeping active.

Since starting this blog, I have been very lucky to have trained with and been coached by several World, Olympic and Paralympic Champions. From the very first with swimmer Robbie Renwick there has been a constant theme (no, not me being their “Star Pupil”, although that too is a constant). One of the keys to their success is to focus on incremental gains. Improving each element of their performance with the culmination of improvements taking them to podium finishes.

And this is how I (and you, should you choose) can improve your health. We might not end up on a podium, but we might enjoy a longer and healthier life.

By taking small steps, I am aiming to regain my fitness, slow down my aging, and prepare for an active and enjoyable retirement (yes, it’s a long term project).

In the past 3 months, I have lost 20lbs, improved my sleep, and slowly reduced my knee pain. I’ve written about how I have improved my sleep, and in future blogs I will write more about some of the other measures I am taking and some of the experiments I am undertaking. I’m not quite Bryan Johnson, but I share his belief in testing and evaluating protocols.

But today it is all about how I have prepared and made changes

My first step was to take more steps. Knee pain has limited my walking but I have tried to add more steps to my day. I have to learn to walk before running again (yes, I have decided that one of my goals is to start running again). Maybe not another marathon (have I ever mentioned that I have ran a marathon?), but I’d love to be able to just lace up and head out for a wee run. And I will!

Reducing my knee pain has been my priority with a consistent approach to my physio prescribed exercises. I am not sure if or when I will be pain free again but as time passes and weight drops, the pain does feel less (or I am maybe becoming habitualised to the pain).

I’m also booking an appointment with a podiatrist as my shorter right leg and my fallen arches possibly require some orthotics. With this in mind, I reviewed my shoes and noted the worn away soles adding to my supination.

While I have drastically reduced my obsession with running shoes and now try to limit my purchases, adidas kindly gifted me a pair of adidas Response CL shoes which even my boys approve of. It might be a placebo effect, but walking does feel better. With a sturdy build and a scuff resistant Cordura finish, I have picked these to last.

For the gym, confidence has been an issue for me. I know that nobody is looking at me or cares about what I am doing or how I look, but I do feel better when I am dressed appropriately. And dressed appropriately usually means simply wearing some breathable and loose fitting and belly covering tracksuits. I am partially fond of my adidas tiro tracktop. In a stylish and slimming (I tell myself) black, it’s my go to top.

I am going 3 times a week and focusing on all over body strength and cardio. Usually 30 – 40 minutes resistance training and 20 minutes on a bike. I have a longer term plan, but I am focusing on my weaknesses first.

I have also adressed my diet and reintroduced a few protocols which have worked for me before, The recent passing of Dr. Mosley was a somber moment, but his legacy lives on in the 5:2 diet that he popularized and which I am using as part of an Intermittent Fasting (IF) approach. Two days of mindful eating, five days of culinary freedom (well, maybe not complete freedom) is working for me.

I am also keeping myself more hydrated and with the upcoming #PlasticFreeJuly (see my other new blog this week) I am making use of my gym and work water fountains. Whenever I feel hungry, I check if drinking some water helps, and so far this is proving to be an effective strategy.

Success won’t come down to any one of these things, but together and in combination to my other protocols. I am seeing progress and with consistency I can lay the foundation for the future. We cannot all be Olympians but we can all adopt the tools and techniques that will give us healthier and happier lives. We just need to find our starting point, plan our race, and give it our best.

#gifted #adidasbloggercommunity

July 1, 2024 0 comment

Health Journey

The End of the Road For How Many Miles?

written by Stephen Morrison

With no posts since March, you would be forgiven for thinking that How Many Miles had ran its course and if I am honest, I did contemplate whether it was the end of the road for this blog and my journey.

I have careered off track so many times and made so any failed attempts to regain my fitness that I had started to question the relevance of my blog while certain other events have also kept me away from blogging….for How Many Miles, that is (but more on that in a wee bit).

Firstly, there was the hack (you might have seen the links to some dubious pharmaceutical products that promised increased performance – no I won’t be doing an Honest Review) that took 3 months and the talents and persistence of the brilliant web developer Jem Turner to fix and then my surgery on the collar bone that had been broken since my Wee Beastie blog back in July 2018.

Post surgery (and pre surgery, if am completely honest) I struggled to one, stay active and two, stop eating. All the excellent work with Paul Jewiss ( I managed to get down to 245lbs) had been in vain and you had seen it all before.

I was in danger of becoming yet another addition to the long list of biggest losers that regained all of their weight.

By August of this year, I was weighing in at 277lbs, only 77lbs shy of my highest weight and it didn’t look like stopping.

I had returned to a sedentary life stuck in front of my Mac often watching Netflix as my collarbone healed while I was finding more and more excuses to avoid people.

But I had also began writing content in a niche away from health and fitness.

Over the past year I have established myself as a competent cryptocurrency writer with a few bylines and roles with three blockchain business start – ups.

These have kept me busy and possibly took over my life for a while. My work/life/crypto balance was out of kilter and my diet, sleep, moods were all affected, especially as this new world introduced me to a level of fat shaming that I had never ever experienced before.

I have since reduced this to two projects (Howdoo and Travala, if you are interested) and blocked the fat shamers and I am managing to find a better balance with more sleep and a better diet, although I am possibly still a little cranky at times (sorry Teresa, Danny and Jack).

But thankfully, weighing in at 277lbs in August was a turning point, much like the image in 2011, as my mobility and motivation returned.

For the past few months, I have made my recovery and return to fitness my priority with weekly visits to the physio at Hampden Sports Clinic, regular hydrotherapy sessions and with daily workouts and step count targets.

I have been working on blog projects with The Protein Works, Mirafit and Decathlon (will publish soon) and went on a most amazing family tour of the Swiss, French and Italian Alps where we hiked and ate our way around three countries.

However, the biggest change I made was to accept that I needed help.

For the past month, I have been working with The Slimming Clinic to address my eating behaviours and the combination of a doctor led service with a dietician and a movement coach has had a dramatic impact on my weight and my mental health (blogs on that to come too).

As the pounds have dropped and my activity levels have increased, I have felt more confident than I have in the past few years and I have started writing again about health and fitness, contributing to the Scottish Government’s Scottish Household Survey and to a few articles including this latest one for HF Holidays on foot care and walking.

While being an overweight and aging male sports blogger in Scotland will never see me working with many of the bigger campaigns, I still hope that there is a place for me and this should mark the return of more regular posts.

I hope that you’ll stick around and if you have had any problems with motivation, I do hope that my struggles and persistence resonate with you and give you hope (others are hoping that this is the last hope in this paragraph).

So to answer the question, it isn’t the end of the road for How Many Miles but it is a change of direction and focus. One which will see me continue writing open and honest reviews but also less rants and more positive accounts of my experiences and more active travel posts (to tie in with my copywriting role at Travala).

September 29, 2019 0 comment

Journey Obesity Physical Activity

Can I get fit with PJG Online Personal Training?

written by Stephen Morrison

Two years of injury, illness, stress and a lack of focus, consistency or determination has led to this point.

Where I am 262 lbs, unfit, relatively inactive (compared to my previous exploits, that is) and rarely writing for myself.

If I am honest, I’ve been on this path since I crossed the finish line of the Copenhagen Marathon (have I ever mentioned that I ran a marathon?) in 2014.

People had laughed when I first revealed this goal and finally achieving it seemed to end my need to prove the doubters wrong while it also left me in an abyss, chasing new highs, new goals and new opportunities, all without the same passion and relentlessness that had seen me drop 178lbs, run a marathon and gain prestigious, rewarding and award winning roles in health promotion.

For too much of my life, I have sought validation from others. I’ve tried to hide and deny my insecurities and I have been guilty of self sabotage; physically, mentally and even professionally.

The last year has involved a lot (possibly too much) of soul searching and I’ve hosted far too many pity parties.

I’ve had more than my fair share of false starts, so you’ll be excused for viewing this as the start of yet another failing attempt to attain a healthy (for me) weight and mind, but I hope that you’ll share my hope and have faith in me….just one more time.

A good friend, who has achieved some tremendous results following bariatric weight loss surgery has suggested this is a potential answer to my never-ending (since about the age of 10) battle with my weight. While he should be a poster boy for how life changing weigh loss surgery can be and while I am aware of the success rates compared to other approaches, I think one surgery this year is sufficient and more importantly, I want to change my behaviours and beliefs as much as my physique.

I need structure, accountability and a plan, so when award winning personal trainer Paul Jewiss approached me to review his online personal training package, I saw this as a perfect opportunity to start afresh and get back on the right path.

The plan is simple

I am going to lose fat, gain strength, improve my fitness and my mood , and prepare myself for surgery and for life.

The execution is key

With several roles, no time (or love) for the gym , a week in Morocco (apologies for the humble brag) and injuries limiting my ability and my self confidence, I have to be smart.

I have to adapt what I am doing and look at what I can do within the comforts of my home or a hotel room.

And this is where Paul comes in. With a tailored online personal training plan designed around my needs, my home equipment and my current abilities and with some gentle but ever present accountability.

online personal training

I’ll be following this online personal training plan for 6 weeks, following the workouts, logging my food and reflecting on my emotions and my mood and by the end of it, I hope will have set the foundation for the rest of my life.

I started this blog as a means to chart my triumphs and my disappointments and like my life, it took a different path. I became a self appointed champion of the overweight and obese, a critic of policies and products and a right miserable sod, at times.

So, thank you for sticking around and I hope that over the next six weeks., I can get back to basics and back to writing more regularly, consistently and positively for How Many Miles.

I’ll be sharing what I’m eating (no rate my plate, so don’t worry), what supplements I am taking and why and how I am training and feeling. Already, I feel more positive and more determined (just turned down a curly wurly from wee Jack).

It’s good to be back and I am looking forward to reviewing how online personal training works.

March 18, 2019 2 comments

Journey Physical Activity

Best Laid Plans – Never Give Up and Never Give In

written by Stephen Morrison

Best laid plans, eh?

This summer was going to mark my triumphant return. I had lost over 30lbs, learned to swim, had taken mountain bike lessons and I even managed to put on a wetsuit single-handedly.

In my current state, I can’t put a t-shirt on

While I will never ever be the most prolific or celebrated of bloggers, I was enjoying both blogging and ambassadorial roles with Simply Swim, Pedal for Scotland, Triathlon Scotland and Decathlon.

Events were entered; bikes and wetsuits were acquired (thank you Decathlon and Simply Swim) holidays were booked and my confidence was increasing daily.

Life was good and it felt wonderful to be back.

And then bam!!

The wheels came off my plans or rather, I came off my wheels. The Wee Beastie (I was not timorous) Triathlon ended up being my only event of the summer and I did not even get to finish it.

All the gear……as usual

Having enjoyed/survived my first open water swim, in Loch Lomond, I made the transition to the mountain bike with confidence

Too much confidence

For in the 2nd lap, I ended up with a panic in my breastie and in a ditch and subsequently I ended up in a hospital and then in a sling with a broken collarbone.

Time for a Break?

My summer of sport had ended

With my excitement and expectations building all spring and summer, there was a danger that this break would see me fall deeply back into a depth of depression.

But instead, I did the only thing I could.

Smile and the World Smiles With You

I smiled

Smiling will not necessarily speed up my recovery and it will not get me back in the water or on a bike any sooner, but it is helping me to stay positive (there’s even some science that supports this). It is reminding me how much I love my life and the people in it.

I have much to be thankful for (only a collarbone break, for a start) and there will be other events. My blogging partners are understanding and my work have been supportive while my step-sons have accepted, without too much grumbling (the bribing of football kit might have helped), their roles as my carers, although I might have tested my gf’s patience with my pathetic man routine.

This blog is a test of sorts. To see how much I can comfortably write (I have been writing this blog in parts) and for me to commit to what lies ahead.

My priority is my recovery. I am undertaking physio and with the sling off, I am regaining some mobility and strength in my arm. Not enough to be doing any heavy weights or any weights, but enough to make me believe that my “complicated” break will not require surgery.

Today, I write a blog; tomorrow I return to work and over the next few months, I will continue to walk, start to run and eventually get back in the saddle and in the pool.

My weight has not suffered as remaining positive has helped to curb my desires to medicate with junk. In fact, over the last 7 weeks, I have lost 4lbs. Nothing to write home about but worth noting in this blog

Fat loss is not dependant on being excessively active. I have upped my walking and kept an eye on my food consumption. Yes, there have been moments when I have succumbed to the tantalising taste of brownies and other delights, but I have done so in moderation and with an acknowledgement that I might need to eat less or walk further later on.

These Bad Brownies were sooooo good

And then, we have my longer term goals.

I will not make the mistake again (it was a “foolish notion”) of declaring that I will be an Ironman (although I still harbour that dream) but I am ambitious and I have been working on some other projects.

One of those is my new role of resident writer (here is my first article) for TravelBlock, the online cryptocurrency travel booking platform that delivers savings of up to 60% (sometimes higher) on hotels and resorts advertised on Expedia and Booking.com

Not me pictured

At the moment they are offering an incredible deal for new members, but I am hoping that over the next few years, I can help others and myself travel further for less

I also want to continue to help inspire others to move more, so I will be charting my rehabilitation and my progress and I hope to soon bring some exciting news.

In the meantime, I will be going back to basics. Couch to 5K and parkrun, yoga and kettlebells, simply because this what I enjoy. Of course, as a try athlete, I will be happy to continue sampling, reviewing and sucking at any and every sport that comes my way, but for now, I have to focus on getting my health and my fitness back.

Success is not linear and although my heart is sore (I should be heading triumphantly back from Pedal for Scotland) I accept that we will have bumps in the road (also a large bony bump forming on my shoulder) and that our paths will take detours. How Many Miles was never about how far I could run, cycle or swim but instead about how far this journey will take me.

My journey is not complete and over the ills of life, I will be victorious.

September 9, 2018 0 comment

Journey Obesity Physical Activity

Let’s Move For a Better World With Glasgow Club and TechnoGym

written by Stephen Morrison

I am going to be honest. I am nowhere near the level of fitness that I had intended to be. I could blame a whole host of reasons, but the truth is that I am to blame.

While I have loved my Swimathon training and I am back cycling to work regularly, I haven’t exercised as nearly as much as I intended to or wanted to.

I say wanted to, but I simply wanted to watch the boxset of Grimm on Netflix more. I wanted to eat that Twirl bar more and I wanted to get the bus more, using the weather as my main excuse.

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results

So reportedly said Albert Einstein, but regardless of where this quote originates from, it is a very apt appraisal of where I now find myself. My lifestyle was/is not conducive to losing fat or increasing my fitness to the level that will be required for my 5km swim, the Bishopbriggs Sprint Triathlon or even a week exploring the Italian Lakes.

So, steps are needed to get me on track and rather than my favoured 10,000 walking steps, I am going to begin with 10,000 MOVES

10,000 MOVES from 12-31st March and 10,000 MOVES as part of my role as Glasgow Club’s Let’s Move For A Better World Ambassador in partnership with Technogym

Let's Move For a Better World

Let’s Move For a Better World is a 20 day campaign targeting obesity and inactivity that aims to get more people moving and to give you a chance to earn Technogym equipment for your community.

All you have to do is sign up (if you are not ready a member) to Glasgow Club and visit one of the participating centres where you can earn MOVES by walking, running, cycling, rowing and lifting, pushing and pulling on Technogym equipment that is connected to the MyWellbeing App that you can download effortlessly and for free.

Each activity earns different MOVES with the general rule being that the more you move, the more MOVES you earn.

Let's Move For A Better World

And the more MOVES you earn during Let’s Move For a Better World, the more chance you have of earning these prizes from Glasgow Club:

One year free membership prize draw for anyone that donates more than 10,000 MOVES.

5 x 1 Free month membership for ‘Star Performers’ who are those that have used Let’s Move For A Better World to significantly increase their activity levels.

Over the 20 days of Lets Move For A Better World, I am aiming to earn over 10,000 MOVES (you can only earn a maximum of 2,000 MOVES per day, per site) and although I should not swear an allegiance to any one Glasgow Club centre, I do think that #TeamBella will benefit the most.

Will you be also joining them or will you be supporting #TeamTollcross , #TeamEmirates , #TeamGorbals , #TeamScotstoun or #TeamKelvinHall ?

Whatever team (there will be an update with every participating gym included) you decide on joining, you will be encouraged and motivated by your local team and you will have have the chance to participate in some fun Let’s Move For A Better World activities and to hopefully help your team win (yes, it is a competition).

This weekend, I will be recording my baseline readings and getting a special Technogym workout designed for me and over the next 20 days, I will be aiming to make my world a better place.

A place where I move more; where I again feel confident and where I feel happy.

Let’s Move For A Better World!

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March 10, 2018 0 comment

Journey Physical Activity

It’s a new dawn, it’s a new day…and I’m feeling good.

written by Stephen Morrison

It’s a new dawn, it’s a new day…and I’m feeling good.

Great, in fact, as today marks the day that I returned to the living world. and took a step (only a small one, mind you) out of the virtual world. I have been hiding behind a screen for several months and while I have genuine reasons for making a disappearance act, it has not been fun and it has impacted on my physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.

If you have caught a brief glimpse of me out and about and seen me smile, you possibly do not know how much of an effort both required and you might have noticed that neither me nor my smile hung around for long, although please also realise that it was most likely YOU that made me smile and the thought of seeing YOU that got me out of the house.

Things and people that make me smile

Circumstances have made undertaking anything seem impossible (I do HATE how some fitness professionals look down upon people’s excuses or “excuses” as they call them). However, I do need to look at how I can make the best of my current situation and with light breaking through the dark clouds, it is time to move on and it is time to move more.

My fears have not gone, but they have lessened. My shame of gaining weight no longer matters as I have to improve my health and I cannot continue to hide behind a screen or express my thoughts via a keyboard (ironic that I am blogging about this).

I will make coffee/tea/water dates and I will catch up with friends. I have lost many friends over the past year and while I am saddened to see people move on, I also realise that I am lucky to have many people who have stuck by me (yes, YOU). Over the next few weeks and months, I will spend more and more hours out of the house; I will go for massages; get my eyes checked (my vision is still impaired by optical neuritis) and who knows, I might go and volunteer as Great Run Local or even parkrun (the latter earns me three Vitality points, but the former has a special place in my heart) while I build up the confidence to run again.

Good to be back

And I will make the gym my happy place (or one of them, at least) for today was the start of something else. It was the day that I returned to Glasgow Club and specifically Bellahouston Sports Centre, where I have fond memories of playing badminton with half the Nine in a Row Rangers team (ok, maybe just eight of them); discovering the joys of circuit class (Monday Night Circuits is legendary) and competing in my first triathlon.

Glasgow Club have kindly given me a membership to help rekindle my love for fitness and to also help encourage others to follow my progress and hopefully also in my footsteps.

So Bellahouston, I’m back!

To keep on track, I would love for you to help keep me accountable by following and commenting on my progress updates while it would be wonderful to have the odd (both in number and nature) friend join me for a gym date.

For the record, here are my readings from today’s measurements. I will update weekly and will happily take a kick on the backside for every week that I do not improve.

V9JZZSQZUxJzsuz5hNCxOId2y22e GSX4jzVdthk8j1s2Q6kZapf89Z Aozrh8VnghH1rAs2048

Body Weight	119kg
Body Fat Mass	41.8kg
Body Fat Percentage	35.1%
Muscle Mass	73.4kg
BMI	39.8

In fact, I will take it a stage further to show how determined I am. I will donate a pair of running shoes to the brilliant campaign by Migo Sports for each week (over the next eight) that I do not progress. That is right, I will give away my beloved running shoes. That is how confident (or deluded) I am.

Hopefully, you will join me (shoe donation is optional) or least help keep me on my toes (and my toes in shoes).

It is good to be back.

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October 30, 2017 5 comments

Journey Obesity Physical Activity

Decathlon Bloggers Community Making Sport and Fitness For All

written by Stephen Morrison

Last week, I joined an exclusive group in London. A group of some of the UK’s most influential Fitness and Sports Bloggers brought together to form the awesome #DecathlonBloggersCommunity by Decathlon UK (move over Avengers, Defenders and Justice League, there are new heroes in town).

The gang’s all here. Fitness Bloggers Assemble

This group is littered with award winning and nominated bloggers and influencers with two, this week, cited by Runner’s World magazine as being amongst the most influential people in running. It is full of inspirational and hugely talented athletes, bloggers and er, me.

For I am not your traditional Fitness Blogger. In addition to being guilty of the odd rant or two, I am not particularly talented in any sport; I am not particularly glamorous with my bearded, bespectacled and balding head and with a history of a physical disability, injuries and obesity, I will never inspire many with fast times or broken records.

My mum says that I am handsome!

Unfortunately, I do not have a six pack (ok, technically, I do) but what I do have is belly folds. Lots of belly folds.

NSFW or before eating or at any time really! Sorry

While I also have moobs. Man boobs.

Will this be banned by Facebook!?

But behind this belly are guts and beneath this moob is a heart.

I did not share these images to shock, disgust or show how “authentic” I am, but to show that I love being physically active and a Try Athlete despite my current size, shape, age and lack of ability. I will never give in or give up and I will continue to promote the joy of being active.

And neither should you

Being a fitness blogger or physically active is not restricted to those of a healthy weight; to those that are fully able or to those that are aesthetically pretty. I like to think that I am part of the community of bloggers who promote sport for all and my goal is to prove that there is a sport for all. You just need to try enough of them (well, that is my plan).

As humans, we come in all shapes and sizes and sport is increasingly being made accessible to the many. Initiatives like Great Run Local, parkrun and the wonderful Too Fat to Run make running more inclusive: Man V Fat Football has brought thousands of overweight men back to football while cycling events like Pedal for Scotland attract cyclists of all ages and ability. Yes, we can aspire to look like a Spartan warrior, but by simply moving more the majority of us can not only add years to our life but life to our years without having to spend years in a barren wilderness fighting wolves. We do not have to prescribe to the notion that “pain is gain” or that we have to engage “Beastmode” to make being active a worthwhile use of our time.

But we can do more and we can move more.

That is why I am both honoured and excited at being included in the Decathlon Blogging Community. I cannot offer any expert advice, but I can offer hope and encouragement. I can help others believe in themselves and over the next year (and beyond) I will show that sport is fun, accessible and hopefully for you.

Back to the drawing board for me

Together with Decathlon and our merry band of Decathlon Bloggers we will invite you to join our community. Follow our blogs as we try new sports, overcome new challenges and hopefully, in my case, lose considerable weight as I utilise Decathlon’s range of home fitness equipment (I do not allow my weight to stop me but that does not mean that I do not wish to be slimmer).

And remember that you do not have to be the fastest, strongest or fittest to be a winner. Taking part in sport brings many rewards including friendship and even the occasional trophy (for someone lacking ability, I am not short of competitive spirit).

I might be rubbish, but I still like winning

Join the Decathlon Bloggers Community

Let me know what sports you would like to see me try with Decathlon and I will try and blag some opportunities. I will try especially hard if you promise to join me. Let us show that sport is for all and that we are all for sport.

October 3, 2017 1 comment

Health Journey Physical Activity Triathlon Try-Athlete

Ironman 2018 Update: It is not the end, only the beginning

written by Stephen Morrison

It is no secret that as a fitness blogger and Ironman 2018 in training, my current fitness levels and weight often (ok, all of the time) make me feel like a fraud

Circumstances outwith my control have placed limitations on my training and my own insecurities and beliefs have prevented me from taking the necessary steps to keep myself active and to get me to a healthy weight.

I have had my reasons but I have also made excuses.

Fear of not being able has made me afraid to try. I have coasted along at a steady weight but not a healthy weight. Thanks to Lululemon Glasgow, I have a wardrobe of stylish and oh so comfortable xxl and xl clothing whie I have a partner who loves me unconditionally (on the condition that I do more housework).

No more complaining about ugly clothing for obese people

I have also set goals too far in the future and too extreme for me to realistically achieve (especially given a recent development) and I have settled into a comfort zone that did not require me to sweat and I had forgotten how much I enjoyed being active. I had forgotten how to have fun.

Instead, I had become angry. I was angry at my own shortcomings and at the world, in general. I had attacked network marketing brands and I had challenged the lazy and fat shaming attitudes of sections of the media and the fitness industry. I had made an impact, but sadly I had also made myself extremely unhappy.

Then, one morning, the postman (it was a man, I saw him) delivered an envelope that reminded me of my goals.

To encourage, empower and to enable others to be healthier and happier. If I could not inspire myself, how could I inspire others?

The envelope contained my Level 2 Fitness Instructor certificate and it was the stimulus I needed. I got in touch with my mentor, John Hardy of Faster Global and agreed a plan for my Level 3. Faster will get me there, although I might need to take it slowly, as I have other pressing priorities.

From 354lbs to Fitness Instructor

Now, I am not sure if I will ever be a practising personal trainer, but with a Faster education, I do know that I will know how to move better and how to move others to move more. Whatever route I decide to pursue, I know that that they will be behind me.

But first, I have to get behind myself. I have to decide what my priorities are and make sacrifices and hard decisions.

My dream has been to be an Ironman, but recent events have made me question my ability, my resolve and my future. It also made me think about a blog post from an amazing blogger and triathlete that I follow.

Lucy at “PaddlePedalPace” is an experienced triathlete and her reasons why she wouldn’t commit to an Ironman have resonated with me.

While others may be able to juggle their commitments, I need and want to spend more time with my family. I enjoy being both a triathlete and a try athlete and while I will still swim, cycle and and run, I am going to concentrate on having fun and enjoying shorter triathlons (for a while, at least).

My dream of being an Ironman in 2018 has once again been pushed to the back of my priorities and instead, I am simply going to focus on getting fit, losing weight (again) and enjoying life. And I’ll always have this Ironman in my life.

The closest that I will get to an Ironman in 2018

With the weight of Ironman 2018 lifted, I have felt a renewed sense of purpose and renewed hunger. I looked up my Top Tips for Losing Weight post and decided to make a few small changes.

The first was to move more. I made myself get up and get out for short runs, in virtual tandem with my blogging pal Helsbels. These are only 10 minute runs, but they are helping me to build confidence and are a good way to keep me moving.

It was good to get out for a run….even if only for 10 minutes

With Pedal For Scotland looming, I have also been using my bike to transport me to medical appointments. These short runs and commutes alone will not undo the damage done but it was a start and slowly my determination has returned.

Wet We Wet

Downpours of rain have not dampened my spirits and the forgotten urge to move slowly, but surely has replaced my desire to do nothing.

I have also started to lift more. I use kettlebells, a pull up bar and my own body weight and I have started to feel stronger. My eyesight condition (still under investigation) means that I cannot not train too excessively, but I have made training a part of my life again.

It’s time to get swinging

My final act was to look at my diet and to make a change that I felt would be in my health’s best long term interest.

osq1k

Yes, we decided to move to a more plant based diet with red and processed meat removed from our shopping list. We have replaced bacon with beans and and parma ham with pulses; we have changed to almond milk and we have moved from crisps and sweets to fruits and and nuts.

It has not been overly difficult and most shops have dairy free alternatives and eating out has not been a hardship. I especially enjoyed this vegan haggis at Gusto and Relish

This was before I was told that there were mushrooms AND kidney beans in this!

Despite the vegan strawberry scone and almond milk matcha tea below, my weight is slowing falling and I am feeling more energetic. The combination of moving more, sleeping more, eating healthy fresh food and, trying to be more positive has had a tremendous impact on how I am feeling.

This plant based diet malarky is a piece of cake

What changes can you make that will help you feel better in this journey we call life? What activities can you try and what are the barriers that you feel are stopping you from being healthier and happier?

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August 29, 2017 5 comments

Journey Running

I’m Back with a Glasgow Men’s 10K Review

written by Stephen Morrison

In December 2015, I accepted the possibility that there would be no more running in my life.

I had walked away from my Great Run Blog and Great Run Local and I had lost my mojo for running. Injury, weight gain and depression conspired to make the possibility seem a certainty.

But then, late last year, I started to work on the Feet For Life campaign and I started to address some of the causes of my knee pain. I saw podiatrists and physiotherapists and started strength training.

I started to see hope.

We can rebuild him

In February of this year, the organisers of the Men’s 10K approached me to be their Vlogger (I said yes despite having a face for radio, an accent for print and a knee that was for anything but running). I had started my blogging back in 2012 with the Men’s 10K and it seemed quite fitting that I would reunite with them. I set myself a goal of making the Father’s Day Men’s 10K in Glasgow my return to running.

And today, I returned to the Men’s 10K and to running!!

See that? That’s my medal!

I ran (mostly) my longest distance in almost two years and in each of my pictures, you will see the joy emblazoned on my face . However, having been out for so long, I made some rookie mistakes that most likely impacted on my performance.

Although, does it look like I care too much?

The night before had ended so well. I went to sleep at a reasonable time (for me, at least) and I had resurrected my pre race ritual of laying out all my kit. All my NEW kit from Pearl Izumi.

I’ve got some new shoes on….eek

Yes, in an attempt to be a good Pearl Izumi Champion and because I genuinely love Pearl Izumi running shoes, I decided to break out a new pair, without breaking them in first.

I know. What was I thinking?

Even though Paolo Nutini swears by it, every runner knows that you do not wear new shoes or kit on race day and here I am with even my socks coming straight out of the packaging. Only my trusted Garmin has seen some prior action and it has become more accustomed to tracking cycling activities than running.

Come the morning of the Men’s 10K, I also decided (I have no idea why) to forego breakfast. Yes, I was going to run the Men’s 10K in a fasted state. I regularly cycle to work before eating but running 10K without any fuel probably ranks up there with the decision to allow Donald Trump access to Twitter. It was not going to end well.

It is not like I was doing it for the fat loss (is fasted state training for fat loss now considered as “Fake News”?). I was simply not thinking.

I also was not thinking about the logistics of getting to the start line of the Men’s 10K. As a southsider, I always liked the Bellahouston Park setting and the move across the river and the new route presented me with some difficulties.

With start and finish lines 10K apart (maybe about 6km as the crow flies or the cheat runs) my idea of cycling to the start was not well thought out. Although I like a warm down as much as the next person, I did not fancy trekking back to pick up my bike. And I certainly did not fancy paying £5.00 to take the Men’s 10K Shuttle Bus to pick it up.

Thankfully, my girlfriend has resurrected her own Sunday morning ritual of having to get up early to cart my ass off to whatever race I am doing. I knew that roads would be closed on the north of the river, so I suggested that she drop me off at Govan Underground Station where it was only one stop to Partick and then a 10 minute walk to the start line at the Transport Museum. Genius, I know.

However, I remembered that it was 9am and that for some reason Glasgow has a transport system in 2017 that does not start until 10am on a Sunday. Which also happened to be the start time of the Men’s 10K.

Plan C was to simply drop me off at the BBC where the Bell’s Bridge would transport me over the River Clyde with only a 15 minute walk to the start line. Plenty of time for a selfie in front of one of my favourite Glasgow backdrops.

I belong to Glasgow!

Men’s 10K Review

I arrived at the Transport Museum in plenty of time, but still somehow nearly managed to miss the cut off time for the bag drop. It could have been down to my dozen pre race visits to the loo that had also made a return to my life, but come 10am I was in my pen and as we were herded towards the start line of the Men’s 10K, my belly began to rumble. Whether this was hunger or nerves, I was not sure, but there was no turning back….mainly because there were 300 men still behind me and we are Glasgow Men’s 10Kers!! We don’t turn, but we do run.

And run we did. For 5K, at least. The route from the Transport Museum is not pretty and underfoot the terrain was not great. I overheard several runners complaining and I momentarily lost my footing. Thankfully, it only only elicited a few expletives and no cries of pain. Once past the deserted stretch of the SECC we ran along the Broomielaw and this was reminiscent of the Great Scottish Run which was my last running event back in October 2015. Back then, it signalled the final stretch to the Glasgow Green finish line while the Men’s 10K route planners had managed cunningly to extend this into a 6km stretch.

At this point, I was still running and still smiling.

I doff my hat to all the wonderful race marshals

The route then took us along Argyle Street and here it became simply quite surreal. It was possible that being near the end of runners we had missed the onlookers and the excitement had died by the time we had arrived, but there was simply no enthusiasm or support, although there was a drunk/drugged/demented guy shouting at our cycling police escorts and urging them to do wheelies.

Sadly, they never. Maybe I should ask Ali Clarkson to teach them some skillz?

Around us, shoppers shopped and there was no encouragement. Maybe they were all angry at us for closing their roads or for doing our bit to improve our health in a city where we are expected to die prematurely. Whatever the reason, the lack of engagement was disappointing.

Just as well then that we had the amazing Men’s 10K Race Crew and Pacers. Dotted along the route and at intersections, where we could cheat by cutting corners and even sections of the race or more importantly wander into oncoming traffic, they cheered us on and motivated us. Even being told by one race marshal at around the 1km point that we did not have far to go, raised a smile even if it did make me reconsider what I was doing.

At around 7km my legs began to feel heavier and my pace became slower ( I really should have eaten something). We had entered the Gorbals and it was deserted. The lack of support certainly affected me and I slowed right down to a walking pace. I noticed that I was not alone. Ahead of me and behind me, others slowed and we took it in turns to run ahead before walking and being overtaken by another member of our team as we made our way through Glasgow Green.

I say team, but at no point did any of us agree a strategy. We would utter words of encouragement as we overtook each others but little else. Every time that I saw one of them gain too much of a lead, I knew it was time to pick up my pace. I hope that my presence helped them as much as they helped me. I would love to hear from any of the guys that finished between 1hr 10 and 1hr 20. Were you aware of our wee group of runners/walkers and did you also use us to keep you going?

And keep going we did.

Soon it was the 9km mark and as we excited Glasgow Green and entered the Trongate and eventually the Merchant City, the crowds started to pick up. We were close to finishing and this meant only one thing.

We picked up the pace!

It was time to pretend that despite our times, we were Olympic standard runners. Every single one of us discovered a new reservoir of energy (no idea where mine came from. It certainly was not from my empty stomach). Our strides became longer and heads were were lifted higher. Our breathing settled and we knew that we had this.

The finishing line approached and I broke into a sprint. And as I crossed the finishing line, a huge smile broke across my face. It had been a long wait for this moment and the Men’s 10K was the perfect setting.

The joy of running again or the joy of knowing that I was soon going to eat?

I had done it! Once again, I was a runner.

My time was 1:17:39 . My slowest ever 10K and I didn’t care. The Men’s 10K is not about fast times (ok, maybe for a few it is); it is about having a good time. It is about men of all ages, abilities, shapes and sizes coming together to promote men’s health and to help improve our own well-being. All brimming with positive MENtality.

The Men’s 10K might be relatively small compared to the magnificent Great Women’s Run but it is an equally important event on the running calendar and while some of the changes made by the new organisers GSi to the Men’s 10K have attracted some criticism, they are to be praised for ensuring that this vital event continues and for delivering it in such a professional manner (I had my bag returned before I even reached the baggage collection point).

Even if the medal was a tad small (all the better to add to my bag as key ring, mind).

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I am back running and I will be back at the Men’s 10K in 2018. You may have possibly guessed by now that this is a big deal for me. Running was a huge part of my life and I have missed it. I will continue to cycle as it is still early days and I also now love cycling, but I will slowly begin to add running events to my diary.

Who knows, I might also need to head across to Edinburgh in November for the Edinburgh Men’s 10K

Will you join me?

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June 18, 2017 2 comments

Cycling Journey Running Swimming Triathlon

The Bishopbriggs Sprint Triathlon Review

written by Stephen Morrison

Just the other week, I made my triumphant return to running on the beautiful and extremely windy Reiss beach, close to John O’Groats. It wasn’t fast, but it was extremely pretty and more importantly, I felt no pain (for the first time in well over a year).

This Man Will Be An Ironman

It was on this same beach that I gained the confidence to complete the Copenhagen Marathon and with my weight starting to drop again (slowly) and my cycling becoming an everyday activity, my Ironman dreams should still be alive.

However, last week I was on BBC Radio Scotland (listen here until the end of May) talking about why I blog.

My goal has always been to inspire and encourage others and it might be time to accept that I may need longer to prepare for my Ironman than I anticipated. Especially as I hope to launch at least one new cycling inspired initiative to help encourage people to move more and because I am currently not finding the time to train sufficiently (note to self: sort this out!) while trying to accommodate all my roles, campaigning and responsibilities. At some point, I have to decide what is more important to me. Helping others or helping myself (I want to do both).

But back to the present and back to my Ironman training.

On Sunday, it received a welcome boost as I completed the Bishopbriggs Sprint Triathlon hosted by Glasgow Triathlon Club and located at The Leisuredrome.

Bishopbriggs Sprint Triathlon

For those who, like me, are triathlon newbies or wannabes, the Sprint Triathlon is made up of :

750 Metre Swim
20 Kilometre Cycle
5 Kilometre Run

Individually, I am competent at these distances in each discipline, so going into it I was hopeful that I would get through it unscathed even with my lack of real training (famous last words).

However, like most things preparation is key. Bishopbriggs is 8 miles from my home and on the morning of the event, the sun was out and I was feeling good (possibly too good).

I had considered cycling half way to a train station, but the timing was off and being my usual late self, I didn’t have any time to spare, so I just cycled on. [Lesson 1: investigate and plan on how to get to events with a bike]

All the way I was envisaging being late to registration; of encountering lengthy queues and of experiencing a confusing (to me at least) transition area (where you park and collect your bike).

The Bishopbriggs Sprint Triathlon

On arrival, however, all my fears evaporated. I was welcomed at reception and quickly issued with my timing band, race number and instructions (instructions that even I could almost follow). At the transition area, they must have sensed that I was a newbie and both marshals and another competitor came to my assistance. Neither cared that I was clueless nor wearing the normal triathlete uniform of a tri-suit. Instead, they only seemed to care about me being able to enjoy the race.

And that was to be the theme of the whole event.

We had a quick but instructional (and funny) briefing and then with my estimated swim time being slow and subsequently being in the first wave of triathletes, we were ushered to the pool (no outdoor swim in this event). Here, we were given more instructions. Everything had been thought of, and as I entered my lane, I could focus on one thing

Not killing myself in the pool.

The Swim

Swimming is my weakest discipline and with my Total Immersion swimming still not perfect, I resorted to the breast stroke, which is perfectly acceptable even if my form is far from perfect. I had estimated 30 mins for my swim and I decided on an almost effortless pace as I had no idea how I would cope later on.

At 28 laps, I was accosted with a swimming board. Ok, that isn’t quite right. I had much earlier lost track of my laps, but thankfully, our lane marshall had it in control and a gentle wee tap to the head was to remind/reassure me that I had only two laps left (a nice wee touch indeed).

As I reduced this to one lap and turned for my final 25 metres, I heard the voices. Not in my head, thankfully, but all around me. The awaiting swimmers, my friend Mark and all the marshals were willing me on. As I touched that final pool edge, there was a huge cheer and as I slid out of the pool like a walrus, I had a huge smile on my face.

It was then out to the transition area to collect my bike and in all honesty, I wasted so much time untying shoelaces, attaching race numbers and generally messing around that I lost several precious minutes. [Lesson 2: All of these could and should have been done in setup]

The Cycle

Finally out of the transition area, I set my sights on the 4 x 5km loops on a closed road. Closed to all but two refuse lorries that is, which had somehow managed to break through the blockade of marshals. As soon as you leave the vicinity of the Leisuredrome, you are faced with a monster of a climb. No warning and no warm up. I went through my gears and by the top, my lungs were busting. The rest of the way out was relatively flat, well signposted and with a nice surface, so I paced it well ( I took it easy). At the turning point, there were two friendly and helpful marshals warning us to slow down for the turnaround but also offering encouragement.

The way back was slightly tougher, but we did have THAT hill to go down and the wee kid (or big kid) in me loved the exhilaration of speeding down it, only to be instructed to slow down again as we approached another turning point.

And here , disaster struck. As I slowed down, I placed a foot on the ground and I felt the pain of cramps shoot their way through my left calf and right up into my hip. I pedalled out of the area and managed about 100 metres and had to stop.

I performed a few stretches and tried to get back on and the tightness returned. With it ‘only’ being a 20km cycle, I had no water [Lesson 3: Always bring water and even energy gels] and I could have kicked myself. If I could have moved my leg, that is. At this point, I thought that my race was over and part of me just wanted to curl up and hide. A member of the public then approached me to see if I was ok and suggested that I walk up the hill with my bike and that’s what I did.

As other riders passed me, most asked if I was ok and by the time I reached the top, the pain was easing off. So, I jumped back on and managed to complete the ride only a few minutes outside of my pre race estimate of one hour and that was with me pushing my bike up THAT hill. [Lesson 4: Do more hills. Whether it’s cycling or running, I need to do more hills]

The Run

Again the dismount and transition area was clearly marked and with only the race bib to change from back to front and a change of hat (it was extremely sunny) I was quickly out and onto the last leg.

Any excuse (it was very sunny) to wear my Pearl Izumi Champion cap

And this was quite apt as I was on my last legs. I couldn’t run and managed only short bursts of jogging interspersed with longer bouts of walking. [Lesson 5: Include more “Brick” training sessions where I go straight into a walk or run after a bike ride] The run route is along the canal and it at least offered a beautiful backdrop. It is shared with the public, so there were cyclists, runners and dog walkers, but at no point did this feel like an issue and at the turning point we were met by by another marshal, who was my friend Ray from my Great Run Local Glasgow days. I wasted a minute or so catching up and stealing his water (thanks Ray) but it was a minute worth wasting.With his encouragement and his water, I set off and managed a few bursts of running, but I was sore and tired and it was hot. If I have one complaint, it is that there should have been at least one water station, but I should possibly revert back to Lesson 3.

The route had us then run under a bridge and along the canal in the opposite direction before crossing another bridge (again manned by friendly marshals who even took Ray’s empty bottle from me) and entering the final mile on a more trail like surface. I walked/jogged most of it until I got to the final 500 metres. I picked up the pace (relatively speaking) and sprinted (again, relatively speaking) towards the inflatable finish line where I pumped my hands in the air, having completed my first “real” triathlon. I was given some water and encouraged to have a wee sit down. I didn’t have to be told twice.

I lay back in the grass, spread my arms and stared skywards.

I was a triathlete.

The Celebration

I was a slow, knackered and sore triathlete, but a triathlete nonetheless. I lay like this for a few minutes and then the urge to tell all and sundry about my exploits took over and I headed towards my bike, gear and mobile phone. I picked up some much needed refreshments in the Leisuredrome cafe and set about updating all my social media accounts with my accomplishment. As I spoke to my girlfriend on the phone, I felt tears welling up. I was both emotionally and physically drained, but I was also beaming with pride.

Two thumbs up for the brilliant Bishopbriggs Sprint Triathlon

Once rested, I gathered my bike and gear and collected my timing sheet from the manually operated system, bade farewell to my hosts and set off on my 8 mile cycle home (yes, I did sleep well last night).

The Verdict

The Bishopbriggs Triathlon was superbly organised by Glasgow Triathlon Club and it is a perfect introduction to Triathlons with both Junior and Novice events also available. With an indoor pool, closed roads and a beautiful run route it was both fun and safe. The marshals were all friendly and knowledgeable while the locals came out to cheer us on. It’s an annual event with 250 Sprint places up for grabs and they do sell out quickly. At £46 it isn’t cheap, but you can get a £5 discount if you are Triathlon Scotland member (I joined after signing up) and it compares favourably with the big name events who charge upwards from £70 for Sprint Triathlons. You also have access to showers, restrooms and cake!

With the cost of entry, the cost of bikes (all triathletes/cyclists adopt the N+1 formula to owning bikes, where the number of bikes you need is N, the number you have + 1) and the amount of kit needed, triathlons are for the serious athlete. I am partly assuming this as they seem to have no time for frivolities. For there was no goodie bag and not even a medal for finishing (although you do get a far more practical Glasgow Triathlon Club towel). Obviously finishing is reward enough.

As someone who collects running medals with the mentality of a magpie, this was disappointing, so I decided to digitally create my own for posterity.

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If a triathlon is something that you are considering, then I would have no hesitation in recommending the Bishopbriggs Sprint Triathlon. It’s friendly, fun and now unforgettable.

I certainly hope to return next year to beat my finishing time of 2 hours : 33 minutes : 27 seconds and hopefully improve upon my position of last place.

Yes, I was the last finisher and it hasn’t detracted from how I feel about the event or my performance. I had an amazing time and at no point did I feel that my shape or pace were being judged by anyone.

Thank you Glasgow Triathlon Club for a wonderful Bishopbriggs Sprint Triathlon

This week I am speaking at Elevate Arena about being fat and fit and this illustrates why being active is so important to me. Despite being obese, staying active allows me to enjoy (relatively speaking again) these events and it enables me to feel better about myself. I do want to lose more weight, but I will not let my excess pounds slow me down (too much) or stop me from challenging myself or enjoying life.

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May 8, 2017 2 comments

Journey

Where I am 262 lbs, unfit, relatively inactive (compared to my previous exploits, that is) and rarely writing for myself.

The last year has involved a lot (possibly too much) of soul searching and I’ve hosted far too many pity parties.

The plan is simple

I am going to lose fat, gain strength, improve my fitness and my mood , and prepare myself for surgery and for life.

The execution is key

Best laid plans, eh?

And then bam!!

I smiled

My journey is not complete and over the ills of life, I will be victorious.

I am going to be honest. I am nowhere near the level of fitness that I had intended to be. I could blame a whole host of reasons, but the truth is that I am to blame.

10,000 MOVES from 12-31st March and 10,000 MOVES as part of my role as Glasgow Club’s Let’s Move For A Better World Ambassador in partnership with Technogym

One year free membership prize draw for anyone that donates more than 10,000 MOVES.

5 x 1 Free month membership for ‘Star Performers’ who are those that have used Let’s Move For A Better World to significantly increase their activity levels.

A place where I move more; where I again feel confident and where I feel happy.

Let’s Move For A Better World!

It’s a new dawn, it’s a new day…and I’m feeling good.

It is good to be back.

But behind this belly are guts and beneath this moob is a heart.

And neither should you

But we can do more and we can move more.

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