Stuart Aken's Blog, page 211

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...

A Renewed Regime.

Sundown on Thassos – A self-indulgent reminder of a happy 2 weeks in the sun!

Way back in 2014, that’s last year in case you’re not sure, I was writing fairly regularly and working on a couple of projects. But, in the middle of that year, we made a momentous decision: we would move house from our domain of 14 years and settle in an area of the country where we wanted to spend our retirement. One outcome of that decision was a severe disruption to my writing habits. So much to do, so many thin...

Running for ME/CFS no. 42

Swimming in the Med after jumping off the boat!

This week asked for a Wednesday session of 6 times 3-minute runs alternating with 2-minute walks. However, after the last fortnight’s issues, I decided to do a straight 20-minute run initially, to get back into some sort of pattern. That turned out to be no problem and I actually covered a little more ground than usual.

Friday called for a 4 mile run/walk with alternate 2-minute runs and 1-minute walks. I took a route through the village down to...

Slam, by Nick Hornby, Reviewed.

Much to the probable annoyance of nearby sun-lounger occupiers, I read this on holiday by the pool. Annoyance? Yes; the book had me laughing out loud with its wit.

This very funny and often moving story is told through the voice of boy growing from near 16 to 18 years old. He becomes embroiled in a trap by accident and suffers the social and emotional consequences of what might otherwise have been a fairly commonplace adventure.

There is real insight here, coupled with empathy, humour and so...