At Pyllon, we believe that every athlete has a story worth sharing—stories of resilience, growth, and personal transformation. This week, we’re excited to introduce you to one of our dedicated athletes, Des Tinney. Des has been on a remarkable journey, not just as a runner, but as someone who has deeply reflected on his motivations, his challenges, and his reasons for lacing up his shoes day after day.
In this blog post, Des shares how he transitioned from chasing personal bests and comparing himself to others, to discovering a deeper 'Why'—a purpose that fuels his passion for running and adventure. His story is a testament to the power of finding joy in the process, embracing the unknown, and using running as a tool for personal growth.
Des Tinney’s Journey: From Competitive Racing to Adventures in Nature
So Des, you have a kid on the way, you can’t keep disappearing for hours every weekend to watch and play football. What are you going to do?
Well, having some pretty good running DNA in the blood (Mum ran for Scotland), there was only one thing to do: Go running.
I started with some shorter distances, 5ks and 10ks, building up to marathon distance. At that time, my 'Why' was being a 30-year-old parent—I wanted to keep fit to ‘do stuff with Leon’. That’s a good enough reason to get motivated and out running, isn’t it?
But as many of us do, I became a bit competitive. Time goals started to creep in—sub 45-minute 10ks, sub 4-hour marathons. Chasing PBs was good enough for me until the comparisons started. “What are other people doing?” “Just out of interest, oh I could beat him…” and so on.
While I still had my 'Why,' it became clouded by the tangible measure of comparing times with other runners. Back then, that was my A goal in races—beating their times!
I followed training plans from magazines, wrapping splits around my wrist, and tuned into the new wave of podcasts. Through races and word of mouth, I connected with a group via email, where a guy named James Stewart started sharing training plans. He was being coached by Paul Giblin (Pyllon), winning races, and running for GB. I thought, “I’ll have a bit of that. I’ll beat more people if I get a coach!”
For various reasons—excuses, really—I missed sessions and wasn’t consistent with my running. Life threw some big challenges my way, and what could have been a manageable blip on my Training Peaks graph ended up looking like the elevation descent of a Munro. I wasn’t prioritising my training, doing just enough to get by, and certainly not running to my potential. After an amazing multiday run across Bosnia, I stopped being coached.
Fast forward a few years, and I decided to sign up for coaching again. I filled in my 'Why' form for Pyllon, which remained the same—keeping fit for my son Leon, and through hard work and consistency, I wanted to get fitter and faster. But here we go again—I didn’t prioritize my training. Life got in the way.
However, this time I didn’t quit. I love running. I need it for my own well-being. The benefits of running, for both the individual and in social groups, are too long to list here. I’ve never DNF’d, and I’m an A+ trainer four weeks out from an event. Why can’t I have this level of commitment 12 to 16 weeks before?
I revisited my 'Why' and asked myself, “So in 17 years of running, what has been most memorable?”
The answer: People and new adventures.
Reflecting back, I realized the joy in running during stag weekends, city breaks, bagging Munros, running across Bosnia and Croatia, cycling adventures, and more. These adventures—running in new places, exploring trails I’d seen from a train or a car, and having fun in the outdoors—this is what I love doing. This was my 'Why.'
Inspired by adventurers like Mark Barrowman, Alastair Humphreys, Jenny Tough, Jamie Aarons, and Paul 'Pyllon' Giblin, I started mapping out and running trails I’d only dreamed of. Munros off the A9, the West Highland Way, the Fife Coastal Path, the Ayrshire Coastal Path, the UK Three Peaks, running around islands, and more recently, trails on the Pacific Crest Trail and the Appalachian Trail.
With a supportive partner and a patient coach, I’ve slowly built confidence and new skills. This fire to be fit for adventures is helping me build better habits and miss fewer sessions. Last October, I completed the John Muir Way over three days in horrible weather—part of my training for what’s next: the 780km French Way of The Camino De Santiago in October.
Yes, I still face demons at the start of trailheads, but now, I’m inspired by others, not comparing myself. I’ve found my 'Why,' and it’s led me to a path of self-discovery, adventure, and fulfillment.
So, find your 'Why,' and surround yourself with good, passionate folks who say F*** Yeah. ©
Conclusion
Des’s story is a powerful reminder that running is about more than just physical achievement. It’s about discovering new adventures, connecting with others, and finding joy in the journey. Whether you’re chasing PBs or exploring new trails, the key is to find your 'Why' and let it guide you through the highs and lows.
We’re proud to have athletes like Des in the Pyllon community—individuals who push themselves, not just to be better runners, but to be better people. We hope his story inspires you to reflect on your own 'Why' and the adventures that await you.
Stay tuned for more athlete stories and insights, and as always, keep running your race, your way.
If you have a story to share, we’d love to hear it. Reach out to us, and let’s continue to inspire one another on this incredible journey.
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