Grit & Pace

In Sept 2023 me & Arty hiked the West Highland Way, a 96 mile trail from Milngavie (outside of Glasgow) to Fort William. It was a rocky time in my life as I navigated life a few months after my relationship of 5+ years ended, re-learning about dating yet also grieving, having started a new relationship with someone yet processing all the feelings I had, but also trying to establish MYSELF amongst the emotional rollercoaster of it all. I wouldn't want to go back to that time in my life even if you paid me! But two things have always remained stable and consistent: my pup, and hiking. Arthur and I needed a time out just the two of us, nobody else, and I purged a lot onto the WHW. Tears were shed, we learnt so much about what works for a girl & a dog living on a trail together, and we had every single season in the span of 5 days.
I'll always remember this particular trail as a really significant part of my healing, it was a turning point in many ways as all there is to do is keep walking, feed & water yourself, and let your brain just go through the motions. That time is precious amongst the busy day-to-day. It was also Arth's first time in Scotland! He fell in love at first sniff 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 !!!

We love the West Highland Way! 🫶🏼

A couple weeks after Houston me & Art ran the final canicross trail race of the winter series up in Thetford forest! The course was slightly different, and it was actually quite a bit over a 5k so we weren't sure what we'd accomplished at the end as Grit wasn't looking at her watch. We were running for the feel of it, absolutely having a blast, with Arty deciding to pootle around the middle section as you can see on the video! 😂

Our 5km was seconds off a PB (again!) so it was awesome to know that even after the marathon my body could deliver a fast and fun canicross race!! Main word being: FUN !!!

This is the black long sleeve sports top I LOVE wearing to keep my upper body warm in the lower temps, but it's also super breathable and keeps me moving comfortably 👌🏼

Arty was so chuffed with his last medal of 25/26 winter season !!! We can't wait to see where the rest of 2026 takes us 🌲🌳🌿🍂 Grit has been taking a step back from running for a couple of weeks, focusing on lesser impact instead. You have to listen to your body, it's sooooo important!! Pace has been focusing on LOTS of running (as he always does) and stick-crunching lately which fills his furry little being with joy

I haven't posted to Grit & Pace about the Houston Marathon yet. It was a little over 3 weeks ago but mentally I'm still out there running to my heart's content and flying high on the good vibes ✨🥺 if you want more of a read about it, I have linked my write-up post from my personal account to this one. I wrote it pretty soon after the race so I was able to get my thoughts typed out pretty well.

My god it was such a bloody fun race! And I got a PB, running it comfortably (and by this I mean not pushing myself ridiculously because the heat in the later stages I found very tough and I wasn't there to hurt myself) in 3 hrs 56 mins. I'm by no means where I want to be, but I am SO frickin proud of myself and my body for getting here. We did it!!! ✨✨ I appreciate every single little part of my body working hard for this. I'm not naturally gifted with speed, I've had medical issues out of my control to contend with throughout my life... I've worked my butt off to make moves as a runner and this race really solidified mentally for me that I CAN do things I used to see as unattainable. For perspective for how far I've come, my first ever marathon in 2018 was 5 hrs 38 mins; I was underfueled, pretty weak in strength and didnt take care of myself like I do now. I still have off days as we all do, but I'm on MY side now, I really back myself. I'm proud of myself and I'm so proud of my body, I'm sad for how I used to treat it.

Here's to my first race in America, my fastest marathon yet & my first marathon whilst on a period (!!) I was kitted out in as you can see, which kept me feeling free and comfortable all throughout the race. Thank you so much🤗

3 weeks on and I am missing it a great deal. My Dad was there to support me (we were on holiday in Houston, hence why I decided to choose this particular race) and we had such a wonderful time. Definitely had some post-race blues missing that high energy although I was very happy to be reunited with my 'Pace' when I got home.❤️🐾

Thank you Houston for being so freakin' awesome!!! What a way to kick off the year.

Grit & Pace are officially on their separate adventures, but I wanted to express my gratitude to this boy for his unwavering love, energy and support throughout this block of training for my next marathon in America. If only he could be there too, that'd be a dream ☁️ (dog mum guilt kicking in)
I can't really say why precisely.. but I've just had the most joyous and enjoyable time training throughout Autumn & Winter of 2025 (and now 2026). I can't say it's been plain sailing, with where I work placing me in the firing line for the viruses and cold bugs constantly going around! But I've just felt immense inner joy to keep the grind going, clocking the hours, miles and sessions for nobody other than myself (and Arty!). Anyone who does anything sport-related knows the effort and dedication required, even when things aren't going well ! Still turning up and trying anyway!
I'm no pro, and I never aim to be, but man I love using this body as much as I can and 2025 was definitely a 10/10 for this after having had to tackle ongoing health issues the previous year. I feel very grateful to be where I am now jeez !!!

Thank you Arty for being there every step of the way. Today was not my last run of training (there will be some leg shakers to go yet) but it was my last run with my boy at home.. and it was my absolute favourite ever! Sometimes it feels like the stars align and joy is springing out of every step - that was exactly it today ✨❄️ (even if it was -3!)

Bonus video of Arty ice skating on his fave pond that is completely frozen lol !! (I had tested the ice with huge rocks several times before he did this, pls do not worry! he didn't go on it again)

Love you Arty, thank you. Hope mummy does you proud xx

Where it all began... And where we've come so far 🥹❤️ endlessly proud of you Arty!
I had never run canicross before having Arthur, but his pure joy for running and trails birthed a whole new venture for me too. Can't believe how friggin' TEENY TINY he was once!!!!

Got my on for the Christmas day run! Me & Arth HAVE to run every Christmas day regardless of if I'm following a training schedule (which I currently am) or if I'm not. It's the day nobody is out so we have the countryside to ourselves & I love it 😍

Arty found a HUGE stick and cracked through some ice in the pond to go swimming ❄️ and I tried out my new running glasses I got for Christmas !! Thanks mum n dad 🫶🏼 turns out Arty suits them WAY more than I do and reverted back to his alter-ego "Ski instructor" 🏔️

Merry chris-mutt !!!! 🐾🐾❄️🎄

A sample of our current favourite songs whilst running or working out. (There's SO many more current go-to's but I selected 6 for today!) Arty LOVES Charli xcx he always requests her songs whether we're in the car or on a run - he's such a diva !!! 👑

Ell really likes to listen to music but of course will make sure to not wear the earbuds if we're on a road so full concentration can be on our safety!

Enjoy the pre-Christmas fun !! 🐾🎄

Yesterday saw us running the second canicross winter trail race of the season in Thetford Forest, Norfolk. The last time we'd run this race a few weeks ago I'd been really poorly with a horrible virus, finished a course of antibiotics the day before the race and ended up forgetting my shoes on the day! 🙃 (I borrowed my besties trail runners thank GOD!!!) It wasn't the most enjoyable experience whilst running & I can't lie that forgetting something as obvious as my running shoes really knocked my confidence. Arty fed off my energy and was really hesitant and sluggish throughout the run - not like him at all.

However, yesterday was the polar opposite having not been poorly beforehand and being able to actually think clearly without flu-brain-fog! 🙌🏼 Hallelujah!!!

We completed 5km in 21:04, nearly a Grit & Pace PB but not that far off !! The consistent grind and hard work definitely pays off and our teamwork was on the ball. Apart from one dog suddenly turning on us as we overtook halfway through the course, we cruised along and felt strong. This was only the first portion of our day, as then for my marathon training I had another 10 miles to run - Arty was VERY chuffed about this. We got absolutely soaked but we all know for Spaniels this is the perfect weather. So proud of you Art, I love you!! 🐾🖤

Stayed warm before & after the race in my mega warm fleece from 😍

An introduction to me & Art! 🐾🌿🏃🏼‍♀️

Hellooo from ell and art (otherwise known as grit and pace) ~ We can't wait to start sharing our adventures, past & present, and welcome more peeps n doggos into our community of adventure, good vibes, tail wags & more cracking sunsets like this one !!
🍄🌿🌻🍂🏔️🐾