Juggling Runner: James McDiarmid’s Extraordinary Journey

James McDiarmid never expected to become a runner who could juggle while racing. Growing up in the Highlands, he started with simple entertainment skills, working in a nursery and learning to juggle. “I got really into it,” he recalls, “and before I knew it, I was running a full-blown family entertainment business.” What began as a hobby of magic tricks and juggling soon became something much more. This is the story of James’ journey as a juggling runner, or “joggler”. 

Finding His Stride

Running wasn’t always natural for James. He remembers his first attempts with a mixture of humor and humility. “I was wearing cargo shorts and running on a treadmill in Converse,” he laughs. “My logic was if I’m going to learn to run, I should run in my everyday clothes.” Those early days were far from professional, but they marked the beginning of a remarkable journey.

The turning point came when he started outdoor running. Inspired by his father, who has been a lifelong runner, James discovered a passion for pushing his own endurance. But it was juggling that truly transformed his running experience. 

The Joggler Is Born

Everything changed during a local parkrun. James decided to combine his two passions – running and juggling. “I got something like 12 drops,” he says, describing his first attempt at juggling while running. “But I ran home and felt great.” That day sparked something special.

He connected with other jugglers online and found a community that understood his approach. “Now, pretty much all my runs are juggling practice runs,” James explains. “It’s another challenge, and it seems to bring a little joy to people.”

Working with Dr. Irene

Enter Dr. Irene Molina Gonzalez of Train4BodyMind, who saw potential in James’s unconventional running style. Initially skeptical about structured training, James slowly opened up to a more scientific approach. “I’ve always been a stubborn runner,” he admits, “thinking I could get fast by myself.”

Dr. Irene crafted training plans that worked around his juggling. She was curious about his motivation and approached his unorthodox style with enthusiasm. James appreciates how she embraces his quirky running method, helping him improve while maintaining the joy of his sport.

Breaking Barriers and Setting Goals

James’s goals are ambitious. He wants to achieve a sub-three-hour marathon while juggling – something few have ever attempted. “I’m not going to break any world records,” he says with a smile, “but I would love to hit three hours.”

His progress is impressive. With Dr. Irene’s guidance at Train4BodyMind, he’s already dropped his marathon time from 3:35 to 3:19. He’s focusing on speed work, intervals, and gradually building his endurance. You can even catch James doing hill workouts while juggling!

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More Than Just Running

For James, running and juggling are about more than just performance. It’s a meditative experience, a way to connect with others, and a source of mental health support. “When you’re juggling along,” he explains, “you find you’re not even focusing on the balls anymore. They’re just there, and you’re doing your own thing.”

Looking to the Future

His ultimate dream extends beyond marathons. James hopes to tackle an ultra-marathon, specifically the Glasgow to Edinburgh Ultra Marathon. “It traces the canal route,” he says, eyes lighting up. “It would be a beautiful route.”

A Unique Perspective

What makes James special isn’t just his ability to juggle while running. It’s his infectious enthusiasm, his willingness to try something different, and his commitment to bringing joy to others. No matter where he is, James finds a way to make people smile.

For James, joggling also teaches an important lesson: you can train hard and still be a bit silly. “The world is too serious already,” he says. He encourages others to give it a try. “It’s something different. It brings a lot of smiles. It makes me happy, and I like to think it makes other people happy too.” James continues to spread joy as a juggling runner wherever he goes. 

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