Nick J Stevens (Page 2)

Nick J Stevens

Complete guide to running periodisation

Complete guide to running periodisation

General Theory of Running Periodisation 1. Base building – improve aerobic fitness. 2. Strength and speed building – improve LT, strength and speed. 3. Specificity and peaking – improve aerobic threshold (marathon pace). 4. Tapering. Specific Periodisation Approaches My Combined Approach Based on all the reading I’ve done, this is my preferred

The Burning Monk

The Burning Monk

On the 11th June 1963 Vietnamese monk Thích Quảng Đức burned himself to death in protest against religious inequality.

Margot and Gracie

Margot and Gracie

A short story on growing old

100 days of haiku

100 days of haiku

Haiku is a form of micro poetry; I did one haiku a day for 100 days and loved it

On the cold

Over the last 18 months or so I’ve used Wim Hof Method breathing and cold therapy as way to improve my mental and physical health.

An essay on children and life

An essay on children and life

What do children teach us about life? Everything. They teach us how our swirling emotions are just below the surface, ever ready to erupt as the ape brain takes over. This reminds us of our own emotions, which are just a little deeper, a little hidden, a little protected. They

On breathing and stress

On breathing and stress

Stress is simply the response to a stimulus. The stimulus is something external and can be anything - something someone says, the volume of emails you’ve got to deal with, the driver in front who cut you up. The bodily response is involuntary. It’s the job of the

Behave like a Jedi and embrace the present moment

Behave like a Jedi and embrace the present moment

The intersection of mindfulness meditation and Jedi’s from Star Wars is remarkably strong. A scene that sticks in my mind is the fight between Qui-Gon Jinn (a Jedi) and Darth Maul (a Sith) from Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace. During a brief lull in the intense fight

Surprising lessons I learnt from running a 20 mile race in sandals

Surprising lessons I learnt from running a 20 mile race in sandals

Last weekend I ran the Devonshire Dumpling. This is an event organised by the Long Distance Walkers Association, with two route options, 32km (20 mile) and 52km (32 miles). They have a walkers start time and runners start time. I signed up for the “short” option, though still 20 miles…