John Nicholas

Actuary, online writer, illustrator | Running and outdoor fanatic | Tweet about books, writing and my latest creative experiments

[John Nicholas @john__nic]

"It's almost always better to learn from peers who are 2 years ahead of you than mentors who are 20 years ahead of you. Life evolves and most insights get outdated." - James Clear

[John Nicholas @john__nic]

@Ashwinreads That’s beautiful, thanks for sharing Ashwin. Been curious to do a retreat, but always find other things to do with time off, holidays etc. Maybe time to change that.

[John Nicholas @john__nic]

@DylanoA4 Stunning.

Also love this by David Whyte.

“FRIENDSHIP is a mirror to presence and a testament to forgiveness.”

[John Nicholas @john__nic]

@Ashwinreads What a writer, what a book.

[John Nicholas @john__nic]

@Ashwinreads Yup same thing here

[John Nicholas @john__nic]

@DylanoA4 Just finished The Border Trilogy. So many quotable lines.

[John Nicholas @john__nic]

@Ashwinreads Happy someone finally did this write-up. Captures my feelings.

[John Nicholas @john__nic]

@niko_schr @p_millerd Thanks Niko!

Happy to chat Paul.

@DSaience also great at this - self-illustrated his book on AI.

[John Nicholas @john__nic]

Great article. Thanks for sharing Greg.

“It is in times of security that the spirit should be preparing itself for difficult times; while fortune is bestowing favors on it, is then the time for it to be strengthened against her rebuffs.”

Happy to see RECM doing well again. Know they went through some tough times.

[John Nicholas @john__nic]

Solid rule to live by - want the things you already have.

[John Nicholas @john__nic]

@tobi_emonts Prob around 15'C. Water was good, around 18'C. Chilly by Cape Town standards ;)

[John Nicholas @john__nic]

Laps in the mist this morning.

[John Nicholas @john__nic]

@niko_schr Epic! Well done Niko. Great time.

[John Nicholas @john__nic]

@wyndomb 😂

[John Nicholas @john__nic]

On the value of self-development and self-care.

We are working towards resilience. We are working towards that inner fortress.

[John Nicholas @john__nic]

@willbdbritt Thanks Brittany!

[John Nicholas @john__nic]

This has been a long time in the making.

Yesterday I ran my first sub 90-minute half marathon in 13 years.

I’ve had two ACL ops in the meantime (good ol’ rugby) and weigh a lot more than I used to as a skinny 20y. old.

Since rehabbing my knee, I’ve attempted 15+ half marathons. On this attempt I finally cracked my PB. Very chuffed.

Here’s what made a difference this time:

1. Followed a proper training program for once. Instead of doing junk miles I trained according to a plan incl. intervals, fartleks etc. Some days it sucked but the visible progress made it worth it. You can get quality programs on Strava and Garmin.

2. Carbon-plated shoes definitely helped. Not gonna lie. Embrace the tech.

3. Marathon experience. I’ve done two marathons in the last two years. Makes a 21k feel much more manageable. You get better at judging how much you have left in the tank.

Pictured here with my #1 training partner 🐶

[John Nicholas @john__nic]

@AlexandraAllen_ Thanks Ally! Very pleased with this result.

Haha yes Lily's the best. Gets so pumped when I put on my running shoes.

[John Nicholas @john__nic]

@niko_schr Thanks Niko! Haha yes not easy pulling 100kg up those hills.

[John Nicholas @john__nic]

Thanks Natasha! Good luck for Sunday! That's exciting.

So these are running shoes with a thin carbon plate inserted in the sole, giving you more bounce/energy back from the road surface.

They don't last long (probably 250km max) but they're a great option for races.

Here are some of the best options out there. I run with the Adidas Adios Pros.

https://t.co/6N5euk7rza