Happy 11th Wedding Anniversary to luffa, the special one, the Sainted Alice, tiny pigeon (other names available). Thank you for tolerating my mishaps and supporting my misadventures x

If your condiment of choice is called ‘Trinidad Scorpion’ I recommend a prudent application to your fishfinger sandwich. I can helpfully confirm that it would be unwise to slather it on, however generous and/or optimistic you may feel. 🙃

Back to #HaldonForest early doors for more walking practice. No rucking plates, no sticks, just consistency. Still went out too fast as fatigued from yesterday’s weights, finished in a grumpy slow mess. Still cannot fathom how to go faster than 2.5mph without jogging. Anyway. Miles in the bag.

After two solid recovery days, back in the gym. Covertly papped by adoring wife. Experimenting with something somewhere between strict deadlift and strict RDLs to test prosthesis, interface, and me. I was at 55kg but didn’t feel safe, so dropped down to 3 x 12 on 45kg. It’s a start. Happy.

RFK jr has finally been forced to tell people to vaccinate against Measles after infection numbers for 2026 are higher than all of the 21st Century combined and every year since 1991. The stupid anti-vax movement is dead.

Paint me like one of your French squirrels

After the last two days I am delighted to be spending this weekend recovering in a darkened room with Rebel Moon 1 & 2 Director’s Cut and a stack of junk/comfort food. Over and out.

Spent Friday visiting nearby Hartridge Buddhist Monastery. A first for me, and very grateful to Ajahn Kalyano and others who offered me much insight towards my own meditation practice. Lots to think about. But first, a weekend of rest. Back 1am Thursday night so been a busy and profound few days.

Flying day visit to big smoke @cyclefit.bsky.social for the @midlifecyclist.bsky.social’s latest bestseller launch and his bittersweet retirement from active fitting duties. Lots of friends old and new; I was overjoyed to spend much of my evening chatting with the wonderful @pippayork.bsky.social

@pippayork.bsky.social lovely and very special to meet you yesterday. I hope you had an enjoyable evening. Ok to post our picture? Can send for approval! 🙏

This morning’s consistency training: 1.5 miles ruck w/5kg. Made tricky by rough surface, sun, and first time with no hiking poles for balance. I’m pretty tired. Also no idea how people walk 3-4mph, as I’m currently redlining it at 1.5-2mph. *grumble*. Also, like the new Gazelles? #Onwards

Minimal content as busy chasing the @yomp_co ‘Initiate’ Standard at @haldonforestpark. We’re at 4km in 60m w 5kg & need 5km in 60 w 10 (actually 8kg but I have 5 or 10 plates, so happy to overload). Think we’ll hit the standard late August. www.yomp.store/pages/the-yo...

No.2 on my hit list of #Exeter region @parkrunuk Saturday events - it’s @cranbrookcountryparkparkrun. Good timing as, with the start of school hols many of their enthusiastic DoE award student volunteers were absent. A solid ~150 participants and lots of kids/families which was great to see.

Another 90 mins this morning, representing 12mph avg club. Felt the hamstrings and glutes from yesterday’s exploratory deadlifts. Long way to go but we try to enjoy the journey. #HappySnail @bromptonbicycle.bsky.social

Exploratory deadlift session went well yesterday, judging by how my hamstrings and glutes feel today. An odd sensation to me, as previous biomechanics didn’t really permit much engagement. Excited about easy cafe ride this morning.

Had some time away from the weights while focussing on walking with new leg height. First session back today: thinking to myself the 8kg dumbbells feel awfully heavy- really am very rusty. Spotted when putting away they’re the 9kg I forgot I’d bought. Should I be annoyed or delighted? 😂

This mentions Brexit as the starting point. Until the UK reckons with the role Brexit had in enabling the far right, things like this will happen more and get much worse. I don’t know how many more times one can say this but we are *a lot* further down a very dark road than most people realise.

David Leask@leaskyd.bsky.social · 3w ago

I am not sure that we appreciate how much hostility there is from the far right to the learning and speaking of languages. 1/2 www.thetimes.com/article/9a33...

Other juicy pics of the @bromptonbicycle.bsky.social

LATEST BLOG: using a snazzy @bromptonbicycle.bsky.social to get back on the bike and build my fitness and legs with prosthetics. Plus the triumphant return of my stolen inches.

Tom Staniford@tomstaniford.bsky.social · 3w ago

Embrace the 4-day week. Don’t do any work today. Read my blog instead. Have a coffee. Enjoy life. (And comment, like, share, etc). #LifeUnfolded tomstaniford.substack.com/p/32-rise-of...

As promised, back to volunteer at @exeterriversideparkrun @parkrunuk. When we did our 5k last Saturday I said I’d come back and volunteer. Here we are. Lots of people surprised to see us back so soon, saying normally people have other important things to do. What’s more important than your word? 🤔

Have spent today’s rest day (re)binge-watching the entire 10-episode run of #Murderbot. One of my fave book series also became one of my favourite TV ones. #SanctuaryMoon #BoldnessIsAll

Embrace the 4-day week. Don’t do any work today. Read my blog instead. Have a coffee. Enjoy life. (And comment, like, share, etc). #LifeUnfolded tomstaniford.substack.com/p/32-rise-of...

Final RT!

Tom Staniford@tomstaniford.bsky.social · 3w ago

Gentle nudge for those who have not yet seen it: LATEST BLOG published about my snail-like sweatfest first ever 5k. Featuring ParkRun, pitstops, and 9wk-old prosthetics. Grateful for likes, comments, shares to expand reach. tomstaniford.substack.com/p/31-one-sma...

Gentle nudge for those who have not yet seen it: LATEST BLOG published about my snail-like sweatfest first ever 5k. Featuring ParkRun, pitstops, and 9wk-old prosthetics. Grateful for likes, comments, shares to expand reach. tomstaniford.substack.com/p/31-one-sma...

31. One Small Step...

ParkRun Prosthetic Adventures

tomstaniford.substack.com

Hopefully worth the wait: latest blog on my first/last/target 5k. Endless thanks to @exeterriversideparkrun @parkrunuk volunteers and organisation. Comments, likes, shares welcome. tomstaniford.substack.com/p/31-one-sma...

Up since 4:30am. Now 9:50am. Words written: 14. (Including this post).

In the last 6 days I’ve done my first ‘proper’ bike ride with prosthetics, a second bike ride of 3hrs, and my first 5k #ParkRun - the longest I’ve walked in a single session in 24 years. Think I deserve this ‘recovery’ bacon, pancakes, and maple syrup. A brief rest, before we dive back into cycling.

My good friend (and precision athlete, he insists) Cornish @maie.music_oxford joined us for the @parkrunuk and introduced me to cutting-edge Cornish performance recovery wear. Sales enquiries welcome.

A special #sponsor shoutout to @albion.cycling and dear friend @graeme_raeburn. These clothes fit superbly well, they are incredibly high performing. Despite heat/sweat today I barely noticed. The temp-regulation wonders of top quality merino (not all examples are created equal). Thanks G-unit.

First (last?) ever 5k done. Got lucky with route, shade, breeze and with good pacing unexpectedly managed the whole 5 even in 29 deg C. Was concerned at start that heat stress on stumps would end our attempt early. Sweaty work as you can see! Longest I’ve walked in a single session/day in 24 years!