There Will Be Mud: The 2014 Sulphur Springs 50km Trail Run
“It’s time you stay home and grow up,” said an acquaintance, when I told him I was heading out of town to run a 50km trail…
3 Years of Fatherhood: Time for a Time Out
For me, the easiest part about becoming a dad has been tapping into my 8 year old self so that I can work magic with Lego, train track…
Super Downsize Me: A New Social Reality and the Re-Emergence of the Sharing Society
I don’t think it comes as much of a surprise to learn that our generation, on average, will have less material wealth than our parents’ generation…
On Writing My First Novel, Josef’s Lair
“Who needs to read about imaginary vampires and werewolves when we’ve got real monsters running around killing innocent people.” Colonel Erich Hauptmann, Germany, 1943. In…
Is One Enough? The Very Personal Only Child Debate
For the last two years, I’ve felt a strong instinct not to have a go at another child. It has been difficult, with some friends having…
Nostalgia and the Way I Thought We Were
I’m not sure if it’s just a product of my age (45 and counting), but I’m definitely not convinced we, as a society, are heading in…
Winter Training: The Indoor Option
OK, th winter of 2013/14 has been shaping up to be the most challenging one yet for outdoor training with temperatures dipping into the -20s and…
The Importance of PCP: Parents with Creative Projects
The moment you become a parent, people will tell you, your life will change – forever. No argument here. I will never watch another news broadcast…
The Itch: What’s Next?
I truly thought after completing my first ultramarathon this past September that a switch would turn off, and I would never have the urge to train…
Dreams vs. Responsibilities: A Tug of War or Peace Accord?
It’s one of the great challenges to pursue our dreams but also take personal responsibility for the choices we’ve made in life. It can be a…
Happiness and the Pursuit of Bliss
Several recent studies about happiness are quite joy-affirming… A few highlights: 1. Exercise more – 7 minutes might be enough (to increase happiness and reduce depression).…
Post Script to a Second Marathon
I’ll admit, I recently broke rule #1 of long distance running, which goes something like, “Slowly build your mileage (10% per week with an easy week…
Whistler’s Meet Your Maker 82km Trail Ultra– And Why I think I Made It
First off, wow. I loved this race, and I loved having the ultra-off-road experience in such a spectacularly beautiful corner of the world. In fact, the…
Meet Your Maker – Or Live Trying
From what I understand, the DNA of a flower contains a blueprint for the potential of that plant. Whether the conditions are right for that flower…
Return to a Childhood Eden – A Cross-Country Run in the French Pyrenees
I can hear the low warm chime of cow bells before I see them. Then, as I round the corner in view of a gushing river, the…