Review of the Garmin Vicoactive 4S
By Leah Williams
Bitches and bastards. May I review for you the Garmin Vicoactive 4S.
I had a shitbit Charge 3 HR which I liked, but it lied. And as any relationship not based on trust, it had to go.
I ummed and arred for about 2 months over which Garmin to get, and drove myself a bit crazy. Go cheaper and not have all the lovely fancy stuff, or invest (I felt) in the all singing all dancing Fenix.
Well I got the Vivoactive 4S as that’s what budget allowed and here’s my honest review.
It’s sexy looking, like it’s a pretty watch. I think most people looking at it wouldn’t know I’m a full on wanker tracking everything about my day. So that’s a bonus. It also seems pretty robust (I’m a clumsy twat) and it has resisted all marks and scratches so far.
The app, I’m not a huge fan of. It’s clunky, the data kind of does as it pleases if you connect to any apps (I use Strava and MyFitnessPal). The calories in/out gets confused with data from MyFitnessPal and I’ve never managed to fix it. The range of activities is fantastic, but there is no where to see them all combined I’ve found. I’m trying to lose weight and so want to know how many calories I have burnt in a week through all my exercise, and Garmin won’t do that. You can download a widget which seems to do it, but it is a very basic one.
The running tracking however is fucking awesome! I love it. It takes a couple of minutes to find gps and you have to be outside for it to do it (bit fucking mean Garmin, it’s cold) but I use that time to jump about and warm up and it seems to help my running, so silver lining. I like how it shows my data, and overall it is good.
Treadmill running is hit and miss, it will upload to strava what it thinks you’ve done (I managed 5 miles in 26 mins the other day… I think fucking not) before you have chance to edit the distance and time. Then you can’t edit strava so you have to delete strava activity to add manual and you lose your hr data. Bit sucky.
I haven’t bothered to sort out the music functionality because I always have my phone and it already works… not going to make it more complicated.
Now the opinion part. I was so set on a fenix because it did so many sexy things… spo2, recovery time etc 😍😍 however now I have the vivoactive with spo2, body battery and respiratory rate I have to say (and I’m a paramedic so you’d think I’d love this shit) it’s a bit fucking boring. I have it on my watch, I never bloody look at it. Unless I think I’ve developed sepsis or suddenly become a world class athlete or go up Everest I have no idea why I need spo2 monitoring on my wrist (it also seems a little inaccurate but compared to the £15,000 machine I use at work, I’ll let it off). Respiratory rate… don’t care. I’m either ok or blowing out my arse… not sure I need the number.
So on to my advice…
Having the watch has, and this is the best fucking bit, motivated me to do more. It’s a toy to track my activity, therefore I will do more activity. I like to look at the running and exercise data. The sleep tracking is kind of cool. The body battery doesn’t reflect how I feel too much (you have 90% body battery!! Fuck off I want to die) but overall I love it. But my advice is if you are thinking of getting one, honestly think about what you need and don’t get drawn in to the fancy features. You probably won’t use them. Buy the cheaper one, spend the change on new kit and go out and do stuff… and bin the lying twat of a shitbit
Leighton Buzzard Dirt Half 15th Nov 2019
Review of Leighton Buzzard Dirt Half 15th Nov 2019 by Nicola Draycott
This was my first off road half marathon and I loved it! It is local to me and I was happy to find some new routes for future running. Well organised and despite only signing up two weeks before I was very happy with all communication and it was hassle free collecting my race number on the day. Great facilities at the start and well marshalled with support throughout. Nice bit of bling at the end but no T-shirt or goody bag. A great event which I will make a point of doing every year now and looking forward to my next dirt running event the Twin Lakes 20 in March. Thoroughly recommend this, especially as a gentle introduction to anyone wanting to try an off road half.
Are you a running wanker?
The epic post from Totes Inappropes herself….
Are you or could anybody that you know be a running wanker?
Think about it…it’s startling but you could be a wanker without even knowing it!
It starts off innocently enough. One day, it’s all under control…
A little 5K race…
And then ParkRun…
Maybe a 10K race.
But these gateway events are just that.
They can and do lead to much more extreme events.
Soon a 5-kilometre race isn’t enough. A 10K just won’t suffice. Your little recreational run with friends on a Saturday morning is being replaced by a Sunday morning half marathon. You used to think that it was epic that you could run ten miles but all of a sudden ten miles is a short training run.
So, you look at marathons…
You’re running every day…
You’ve had your gait analysed and bought some trainers that would have fed your family for ten days.
You sad fuck. You’ve put some of that tape on your leg and started talking about your IT band.
You start reading Runners World. You keep telling yourself that it’s okay. That you could stop anytime…
For fucks sake, you promised yourself that you never would, but you’ve gone and bought a buff! You didn’t used to know what a buff was!
Your friends and family are becoming increasingly worried about you. You have had nights when you’ve laid off the booze because you have to get up in the morning and run.
And then you ask for a Garmin for Christmas. You’ve sunk so low…What has become of you? You’ve started looking at Ultras. The next thing is that you wake up one morning and you’ve booked to run seventy miles in twenty-four hours. Worse still, it cost a hundred and eighty quid!
The sad truth is that many runners start off with a ParkRun but it’s just not enough. They have to go further and further to get their highs. They join running groups of likeminded people, who encourage their behaviour. Soon, they’re entering trail runs, making excuses to family and friends about their shady behaviour.
Sick bastards!
Take Our quick quiz to see if you have entered into the murky world of running wankerdom.
One point per misdemeanour. If you answer affirmatively to over fifteen, there’s no fucking helping you. You’ll probably die doing hill sprints.
You’ve used a foam roller.
Sunday mornings are sacred. Sunday mornings are for long runs!
You’ve bought special underwear for running in.
You’ve read a Runners World article and got something out of it.
You’ve bought a buff (you sad fucker!)
You’ve got scars from chafing.
Bought some Bodyglide.
Experimented with gels and claim that you’ve found one that doesn’t taste like spunk (you’re lying)
You’ve joined a club that use a track…An all time low…
Hill sprints, what’s next?
Lost more than one toenail.
Shit the bed! You’ve got some trail shoes!
You’ve spent more than ten quid on a pair of running socks.
Got overexcited at an expo and bought some really expensive shit that you don’t need.
You own compression socks.
Fuck compression socks, you’ve got those arm warmers that Mo Farrah wears!
Feel bad on days that you don’t run.
Have done a run that makes a picture on Strava.
Done a ghost run.
Tried an ice bath.
You’ve run wearing someone else’s running number, so and had to smile every time someone shouted “Come on Trevor. You can do it!”
You wouldn’t buy a race photo? Would you?
You’ve not got pissed on a Saturday night because of a run on Sunday.
You own more than three running jackets.
Entered the ballot for the London Marathon repeatedly.
You own more running kit than real clothes.
You have taken an outdoor shit on a run.
You don’t bother with portaloos on race days. That’s what bushes are for!
You cried when Eliad Kipchoge ran under two hours.
You consider Decathlon as a good day out.
Considered doing an ultra.
Ten miles is an easy training run.
Done an ultra.
You know where your IT band is.
Popped a blister on your foot with a needle.
Tried tailwind.
Taken tailwind in a plastic bag on a flight and explained to everyone concerned that it’s not cocaine.
Worn a Camelback.
Sworn that you’ll never race again and then promptly booked another race as soon as you finish.
Been unable to walk downstairs after a race and had to come down on your bum.
How did you do?
Up to five – There’s still hope!
Five to ten – Fucking pull yourself together!
Ten to fifteen – You should be ashamed!
Over fifteen – You poor sick individual! There’s no fucking hope…
There is hope for the afflicted. It’s not too late. We are running intensive courses for these poor addicts. Please get in touch if you’re suffering.
Hi, my name is Totes and I’m a running wanker. X
We have a group on Facebook called ‘Run Bitch Run’ for people that like running, boozing and swearing – wound shots encouraged…

Blackpool Run the Lights 2019
Reviewed by Deb Rochelle
I loved this event on Saturday night. It started at 9pm and the run was through the illuminations along the promenade to the Pleasure Beach and back. The first half was running into practically gale force wind and bloody hard work but at the turn around point we got a lovely push along from behind. I collected my number early and had no problems. There were not enough toilets (as per usual at events) AND I’ve been left out of the result listings, which I’ve emailed them about…but overall, in my opinion a great run!! The medal actually glows in the dark!!
Rock N Roll Liverpool Half Marathon
Can’t rate this enough as a race! 100% epic!
Live music every mile, plenty of water stations, jells and lucozade. Loads of support, locals come out of their houses and cheer.
Always found it friendly, I’m a party at the back kinda girl. They have running angels for the last 2/3 miles to help anyone struggling or just to tell you your doing great!
Best bit is… You get a free pint at the end!!!
There is also a festive and live stage after party that had Toploader headlining this year.
All round a fucking epic weekend. Loads of bling too if you do the Saturday 5k and the Sunday 1/2 or marathon!
I nearly forgot about the goodie bags! You get loads of snacks, haribo, drinks, crisps!
I’ve entered for 2020 (3rd yr running) it’s my fav race of the year without a doubt!!
Reviewed by Sarah McGenity
UK Fast City of Manchester 10K
UK Fast City of Manchester 10K
Etihad Stadium – 7 July 2019
If you’re not a city supporter and you dislike hills, this probably isn’t the race for you!
Woke up on Sunday 7 July bright and early in preparation for one of a few 10k’s booked for the year and off I went to meet my fellow RBR runners at the Etihad.
The morning was warm but jeez as we set off, the arena felt like it was 80 degrees. From that moment on it just got hotter and hotter. I know you can’t help the weather but f*%k me, once we started and I saw the incline in front of me I knew this was going to be tough. One incline after another, with a man at one point breathing heavily down my ear, followed by the bliss of going downhill, at times with the heat I felt like I was crawling up those inclines. The worst thing was knowing I had to do part of the route again before swooping through gates and up the biggest hill you have ever seen, to make matters worse it was painted blue!!
The marshalls were all friendly and encouraging and on entering the stadium the crowd were applauding the finishers over the line.
The medal at the end was worth the torture and the goody bag was pretty good considering the cost of the race.
Energia24 Review
Dig Deep Races – Ultra Tour Of The Peak District
Dig Deep Races – Ultra Tour Of The Peak District
60 50 Miles // 10000ft 8500ft Elevation
https://www.digdeepraces.co.uk/races/ultra-tour-of-the-peak-district/
TL;DR
Signed up for and started the 60 mile event, dropped down to the 50 mile event, suffered, looking forward to doing it again.
//
Intro
I signed up for this event on a whim about 4 months ago. It was to be the first time traveling on my feet more than 30 miles and when I did that it was 15 years ago, during military training and I was a hell of a lot fitter.
I began running again in February, heavily overweight and from a negative baseline of fitness after listening to David Goggins on Joe Rogan.
I’d heard of Goggins a few years previously after watching a video where he talked about running 150 mile weeks, whilst holding down a full time job as a Navy Seal.
Pretty inspiring bloke, definitely worth listening to some podcasts he’s been on. Anyway I digress.
Running in the beginning was difficult, I eventually reached 10km and that was a good achievement. I think my first 10km was something like a 1:08 which I’ve just recently got down to 0:53. After that I started adding distance. I read a few books and got to a point where running a training half marathon in 2:10 was fairly comfortable.
I was always drawn back to the mental aspect of completing a distance that seemed unfathomable as a bit of a test for myself. This, plus the fact I love walking in places like the Lake District inevitably drew me to trail / hill / fell / whatever you want to call it running.
Googling a few races I found the Ultra Tour Of The Peak District which is a 60 miler across the Peak District with about 3000m of total elevation on the course. I’d never been to the area but looking at OS maps it seemed similar to the lakes and that was good enough for me.
I ramped up the distance, ultimately hitting a 19 miler but it was slow and painful. Anxiety was setting in but with a bit of naive math for min/mile splits I knew I could hit the cutoffs if I just kept moving.
The Run
The UTPD starts just south of Sheffield at a place called Whirlow Hall Farm. Over the weekend there are various events as follows:
- Ultra Tour – 60 Miler
- Peak Trails – 50 and 30 Miler
- 12.12
(I think this is a half-marathon, didn’t look into it.) - 10km
The Ultra and Peak Trails follow a similar loop, starting and finishing at Whirlow with additions at various areas based on the distance.
Luckily for me, the 60 and the 50 shared an almost identical route save for an additional 10 miles over the high peaks after a town called Edale.
We set off from Whirlow Farm at 6am and a decent pace was being set from the start by the frontrunners. I’d promised myself I’d start slow and carry on slowly, I had a personal goal of sub 16 hours but would be happy to complete as it was my first ultra and first anything on foot over 30 miles.
The course has 21 checkpoints, some manned, some unmanned, some with water and 3 of them being main aid stations separated basically 15 miles apart. Aid station 1 (CP5) is at Moscar. I’d set a goal to reach this at around 3 hours, I was feeling good here and strolled in and out on time after topping up food, water and having a handful the things provided (mainly the best kind of carbs, Haribo)
I set off feeling good, checked my phone and had a bit of craic with my mates and missus via Whatsapp. The next checkpoint is at Edale and the main obstacle in the way of that is Win Hill.
Win Hill has to really be seen to be believed but it’s steep, there’s a checkpoint at the base and the trig at the top 0.8 miles away but it took me something like 30 minutes to summit. That I think, was the beginning of the end. I hit the top and set off on a long downhill section but my legs weren’t working (I’ve since learned that my eating on ultras needs a lot of work, I’m also shit at hydrating properly) and I felt sluggish and weak.
At this point we’re 24 miles in, I’m climbing Nether Tor just before the descent into Edale and checkpoint 2 and I lost my mind. I was struggling and looked west towards the high peaks which are where the additional ten miles for the 60 miler go and I broke.
At Edale the route for the 60 and the 50 split. 60s head west over the high peaks and the 50s continue through Edale towards the Limestone Way and Bradwell. The thought of adding an extra ten miles to what was slowly becoming a torturous experience was not happening and I called Ian, the Race Director and asked if I could drop onto the 50 route. This was kindly allowed and I trotted into the Edale aid station after a knee bashing descent, pissed off with myself and the inherent weakness I’d shown.
Looking back I believe it’s the right decision but it doesn’t make it sting any less. I definitely have unfinished business with the route and will be going back next year, well trained, to right a wrong.
Edale onwards will make very boring reading but ultimately it reads like this, I walked the remaining 20 miles.
The Bradwell aid station was a welcome site and I had a cup of tea, lots of savoury food and felt a whole lot better as I left there. This was shortlived as the climb out of Bradwell is a grim experience when walking on flat ground is a chore.
Every step was painful but oddly it wasn’t until the final 4 miles when I considered fully quitting. I knew I wouldn’t quit but it was a recurring thought where I did a whole lot of mental gymnastics of how it would all be ok, I’d be fine, I could come back next year etc etc. No. I wasn’t going to allow it and kept on plodding.
The final 2 miles were never ending but my mind was distracted from that by a runner from the 60 catching me up on the last straight, dropping slightly ahead and then just talking. She talked a lot and it was very welcome after 20 miles of loneliness to have someone just talk at you with no frustration that my only replies were grunts and the odd snippet about being excited (read: relieved) to see my wife at the finish line. Lorraine, you got me through those last 2 miles and it is very much appreciated.
On Kelly.
Kelly, my wife, had completed a full day at work in Newcastle at 5pm, got on a train to Sheffield and then a taxi to the farm only to have to wait around in the cold for me to finish. I knew this was happening and reckon it’s a massive factor in how I actually managed to finish. Quitting and then having to face Kelly after she’d done that would have been a pretty shit time.
You’re an absolute legend and I thank you a lot.
I crossed that line in 15:05:27 and surprisingly second last, I firmly believed the whole way round that all of the other 50 milers had finished hours before and were all sitting around laughing heartily at the fact I was still out there.
Epilogue
My main failure I think coming into this was a lack of the 3 main factors for ultra-running. Training, Food, and Hydration. Oh, and time on feet. I ran well in training but I didn’t run for long enough, I did next to no elevation training and I did zero experimenting with food and water or how I’d feel over distance.
All of this will be rectified for 2019 when I’m not only going to complete the 60 miler but also in a time of sub 12:30.
Main assistance will come on the dietary side via help from David Stache, popular sports nutritionist from Sheffield who I’ll be enlisting to help with keeping energy levels as high as possible throughout future ultras.
Thanks for reading, Darren.
RbR Club and parkrun
We’ve now registered as an official club with parkrun so you can update your parkrun profile and select RbR Club as your club if you don’t already run for a club. Every week on a Sunday we’ll be making a note of everyone’s results at parkrun and updating the RbR Club parkrun 2019 league tables. You will be able to see how you and all the other RbR Club members have done here:
Age Grade Results: https://www.rbrclub.co.uk/age-grade-results/
Attendance Results: https://www.rbrclub.co.uk/attendance-results/
Time Results: https://www.rbrclub.co.uk/time-results/