Published in Age of Awareness·PinnedAdventures on Allotments: Loaves, but Not Much DoughI saw the scythe falling in slow motion towards my hand. I should have stopped earlier because I was hot, sweaty, and tired. At first, there was no blood, but then it wouldn’t stop. Despite the damage, I had to finish scything the golden spiky ears of wheat. The spring…Food3 min read
Published in Runner's Life·PinnedHow to Think About Thinking for Better Results in Your Next RaceMind-wandering I am booked in for my first race of the year in a few weeks. If you have a race planned too, then let’s think together about your race thoughts and thinking processes in order to support you to get better race results. How do you think about the race…Running7 min read
Published in Runner's Life·PinnedMaintaining Running Motivation Throughout 2022Fresh ideas to keep you running this year — Background One of my most viewed stories on Medium last year was called Maintaining Running Motivation. This January, there are several folks in my running network and on social media who are finding it tough to get out of the door and run. Running can be a hard thing to do…Motivation4 min read
PinnedMost Popular Medium StoriesFrom Neil Mapes: Updated 21st Jan 22 Thank you readers for supporting my writing. Here are quick links to five of my most popular stories on Medium (as of Jan 21st 2022). Ten new business ideas for 2022 Is 2022 going to be the year you start your own business?medium.com Set New Running Goals for 2022 Five Tried and Tested Methodsmedium.com Maintaining Running Motivation 15 ideas to boost running motivation for the rest of the yearmedium.comBusiness Ideas1 min read
Published in Runner's Life·PinnedSet New Running Goals for 2022Five tried and tested methods — On the road to nowhere? Have you set your running goals for 2022 yet? What sort of runner would you like to be? Is there something you have to buy to support your running next year? Have you made a SMART action plan? Got an event in mind for your #BHAG…Running7 min read
Published in Runner's Life·Jun 16Book Review: Ducking Long Way by Mark AtkinsonFinding running inspiration from reading — Standing in the sports section of the book store, the yellow and blue cover caught my eye. The title Ducking Long Way was amusing and chimed with my limited experience of ultra running to date. Mark Atkinson’s book inspired me to consider that running beyond the marathon distance is something…Running3 min read
Published in ILLUMINATION Book Chapters·May 10From Arequipa to SorocheAuthor’s note: ‘From Arequipa to Soroche’ is the seventh chapter of my book ‘From dementia to adventure, which explains my reasons for travelling to Peru in 2001. You can also read the first chapter, Dementing in London, take a look at the full index of chapters or dive straight into…Arequipa7 min read
Published in Runner's Life·May 9Maintaining Running DedicationBeing committed to the long haul — I have been reflecting upon my rather up and down relationship with dedication. Some weeks I cannot get enough running and devotedly head out the door every day. On other weeks apathy can creep in, my commitment runs low, and I find reasons to do anything except run. Looking back…Running4 min read
Published in ILLUMINATION·May 9Dancing With Your DemonsEmbracing your darker side — In this story, I will highlight approaches to guilt, shame and self-sabotage which can lead us to positive destinations if we are up for putting some work in on identifying and befriending our shadow selves. When was the last time you looked at your shadow? Identified those traits and behaviours…Guilt8 min read
Published in ILLUMINATION·Mar 6Why I Think We Are Failing at Copying on MediumAnd what to do instead My problem with copying on Medium I sat down to read some Medium stories last night. But it took me over half an hour to find one I wanted to read. I can’t be alone with this problem in Medium and we need to put it right. I scrolled through endless…Medium6 min read
