Stuart Aken's Blog, page 210

Wellbeing for Writers, by Jennifer Barraclough, Reviewed.

This is a handy little ebook that sets out to suggest strategies for writers that will help them get the most from their time and effort. I’ve been around for a long time, and been writing for many of those years, so there isn’t actually a great deal here that’s new to me. However, it’s useful to have information I’ve previously gleaned from magazine articles and blog posts combined into a small book.

It’s an easy read; full of good advice that has been proven to work. This isn’t a technical...

Running for ME/CFS no. 48

Graph showing the gradients on the run, provided by the sponsors, Morrisons.

A brief update for those readers who expect one of these posts on a Monday.

First, let me direct you to the two previous posts for more details. You’ll find post 46 here and post 47 here.

Suffice it to say that training last week went according to plan and I’m well on track for the full run, which takes place in under 4 weeks. In the information sent for the race was a graphical representation of the gradients for th...

Monster of the Apocalypse, by C. Henry Martens, Reviewed.

This dystopian science fiction novel grips from the start. Set in the not-too-distant future, it portrays a world devastated by plague. The few inhabitants left alive display all the emotions, characteristics and personality types that exist in the real world, so it’s easy to empathise with the players here.

The story is different from many in the genre and certainly not at all formulaic. It’s a character–driven narrative and all the events are credible, even though there’s some pretty unple...

Running for ME/CFS no. 47

This goes on my front, and carries the timing chip in a little foam box at the back.

It’s happening! It’s really happening, 4 weeks today! My runner’s pack has arrived from the sponsors. It includes my number and a timing chip, which will track my time from the moment I pass the starting line to when I stagger across the finishing line some 7 or 8 hours later! Joking: if I can maintain the same pace I managed for Friday’s 8-mile run, I could cover the course in around two and a half hours, wh...

Running for ME/CFS no. 46

This series will draw to a natural close once I’ve run the Great North Run, on 13th September, and posted my final piece with the results. However, from now to the actual run, I’ll be increasing my posts on an ad hoc basis when I have something new to report.

So, yesterday, I did my usual Wednesday run; this time 7 runs of 4 minutes alternating with 1 minute walks, making a total of 35 minutes running in which I covered 3 and a half miles through the forest.

But my real purpose in this pos...

Running for ME/CFS no. 45

One of the forest roads I use for my runs.

The race is 5 weeks today. And this week’s blog post is on time, for a change!

Wednesday’s session consisted of 6 runs of 4 minutes, alternating with 1-minute walks. I covered 3.3 miles in 35 minutes, taking a loop through the forest and averaging just over 10 minutes per mile.

Friday, I was required to run/walk 7 miles. I did the same loop twice and added a straight stretch to make up the necessary mileage. This time I was supposed to run for 3 minu...

STUART AKEN: A SEARED SKY IS ABOUT HYPOCRISY, LOYALTY AND LOVE

STUART AKEN: A SEARED SKY IS ABOUT HYPOCRISY, LOYALTY AND LOVE.

An interview on Ognian Georgiev’s site for readers and writers.

Filed under: Uncategorized

Running for ME/CFS no. 44

Part of my 3.3-mile circuit.

My programme for the last week required 9 sessions of 2-minute runs alternating with 2-minute walks on Wednesday, a 6-mile run/walk with 3-minute runs alternating with 1-minute walks on Friday, and a brisk 30-minute walk on Sunday.

How did I do?

Wednesday, I set out to do a familiar ‘there and back’ route through the forest, but I’d reached the return point far too early, so I had to continually back-track on my way back to make up the time. Still, I completed the...

The Demon King, by Cinda Williams Chima, Reviewed.

This story sits well within the sub-genre of magical fantasy. There are the wizards and amulets, thieves, hill-folk, princesses and queens associated with the genre. The tale is well told, with plenty of action and a good deal of well-handled romance in the various relationships.

For me, however, it is a little formulaic and reminded me of several other books I’ve read in similar vein. Don’t misunderstand me: this is a good story and it’s well presented. But I found it a little predictable a...

Running for ME/CFS no. 43

Looking down on Lower Lydbrook, the bottom half of my village run.

A little late this week with this one. My apologies; other things on my mind.

The programme for last week was: Wednesday, 6 sessions of 3-minute runs alternating with 2-minute walks; Friday, 5-mile run/walk with alternating 2-minute runs and 1-minute walks; Sunday, 30-minute brisk walk.

Wednesday, I set out to do the session along my usual forest trail but reached my normal turnaround point earlier than expected. So, I continu...