Mike Simpson
stories
I started the 2001 London Marathon. I didn’t finish.
A pulled calf muscle at 14 miles stopped me instantly. It gestated into a pivotal moment which, for a while, seemingly defined my attitude to myself - I had failed. No matter how many cross country, track or road races I had won o
read more...
‘A Plus Tard’ - a recently retired thoroughbred racehorse, renowned for national racing.
In the words of Neil Sedaka, ‘Breaking Up is Hard to Do’
1) The Epiphany
Davina will still not believe me when I say this is my last cyclocross season; ‘’You can’t
read more...
I can’t take my eyes off these two cats. My drunken, dehydrated state has elevated the image in front of me to a magical level. They are tightly huddled together, perched on a wall, overlooking the town. It’s a local beauty spot and apparently not just for us humans. It’s
read more...
‘’I never race well on that bloody course’’
My Girlfriend agreed when I told her where this year’s National was being held. Every time I’d raced at Cyclopark Gravesend I’d had a poor race. Then she bluntly, (but honestly) added to the conver
read more...
The halls of residence were strangely quiet that night. It was a Tuesday evening and gone was the usual steady stream of loud groups, heading up to or returning from the Poly bar. Gone too was the usual raucous din usually heard from that bar, every night was usually party
read more...
Getting sprayed with cheap fizzy wine is one of many moments I will always cherish from my running days with Hounslow Athletics Club. When it’s your team mates doing the spraying, after a fine victory and there is a wild evening out approaching with them, then it’s probably the one of
read more...
One lap into the biggest race of the season, it's not going well and the situation has the potential to get worse. I am in about 15th place and struggling for breath, power and skill. A decent performance is in doubt. I'm not superstitious, but getting to the start line of my 13th consecutive nati
read more...
I would be lying if I said that I have a recurring dream. Well, I’ve had it twice, so I guess I can say it recurred once. I’ll start again…. I once had a dream and it recurred once. No that’s sounds odd now. What about……. I’ve had the same dream twice.
read more...
My Dad always took the photos of the rest of the family. So it’s rare to see one with just me and him in it. What were we chatting about? A conversation lost in time. We clearly had no idea mum had, for once, the camera in her hand.
When I was young, I went on many walking holidays wit
read more...
‘Where did I finish?’
‘Third’
‘You sure?’
‘Yep’
‘but……..’
……It was then I listed two or three riders I was convinced finished ahead of me.
How was I 3rd? I was overtaken by about five riders i
read more...
The season is now a month in and I’ve done four races but more than ever I am really enjoying the training at the moment. My first ever race was in 1982 (cross county running), being able to continue racing and more importantly training for 40 years means one thing….my heart is in it.
read more...
Finally I can cry.
Having my gravel rash disinfected while lying on the sofa last Saturday night I started to cry. Not from pain, sadness or grief but just from the release of mental pressure I had put upon myself. I had just ended my race season on a high by successfully achieving my main aim of
read more...
''Where does the power come from, to see the race to its end?'' - Eric Liddell.
Well I am never asked that question, shame as my answer could be quite philosophical.I am, however, currently being asked on a regular basis;
‘You’re flying this season, what do you put it down to
read more...
Photo by Richard Hill - ShutterWorksPhotography
By my early teens I was well over six foot, but I didn’t feel tall. Confidence and strength came much later and a recent walk along the river in Marlow sparked a memory of where and when.
After taking up running when I was 18, I soon realised
read more...
I’ve run out of strength too early. I’m barely halfway through this race and the tank is just about empty. My position is reasonable and the race has been good but I’m not quite as high up as hoped. Some days you can just keep piling it on but not today. I still endeavor to squeeze
read more...
''Man delights not me, no, nor women neither, nor women neither''
What do you need to keep afloat? Where's your church? What's your drug? Some opt for religion (well certainly not me as the lady who accosted me at the airport unwittingly discovered when asking me if I have accepted god into
read more...
My simple procedure for finding routes and mountains to climb is to look on social media to see the latest cool climb that everyone is flocking to......then go somewhere else. I like to ride on empty roads, not with the masses. Don't get me wrong I enjoy riding with others, I've been lucky e
read more...
Did you ever read the story about the guy who bought his girlfriend a dozen roses every day? Every single day! When I saw it I think they had been together for 3 years, that's 13,140 roses! Not sure if they are still together or if he kept up that crazy gesture but that is an impossible level
read more...
I'm usually an extremely well organised chap, well actually let's say that I used to be an extremely well organised chap. Previously I would have written a precise list of what to pack a week before going away with my bike and then a few days before departure I would have already packed. A list is
read more...
Havant near Portsmouth 21 years ago - I'm watching my friends romp away with the team win at the National Junior Cross Country Championships (the late, great and very wonderful Sam Haughian was 2nd with Ben Whitby in 3th and backed up by Clayton Bannon). I was due to run in the senior race that af
read more...