July 2022 sees the second year of #RunningFromFM. FMGrasshopper, FM Rensie and I began this last July with a one season save in Poland, managing Wisla Krakow. The premise is very simple - we run a set distance based on the result of the match relevant to that day. A win is a 1km run, a draw is a 2km run and a loss is a 3km run. It has the potential to go disastrously bad if you get a bad run of form, but we really enjoyed motivating each other on a daily basis when keeping up to date with our runs.

FMG has decided to go it alone this year by doing a season with Hertha Berlin of Germany. In turn, I made the decision to do my own quick season. The hope would be to pick a league with as close to 31 games as possible - and that’s when I discovered Canada’s top tier league was in FM… did anyone else know this?!

With just 8 teams to choose from, I did my research (reading Wikipedia) and the choice became clear almost immediately - Atlético Ottawa. The team created by their Madrid namesakes would employ a similar style of play, using the tactic as interpreted by FM Grasshopper during the FM21 Beta.

Last year, Running From FM was all about trying to better myself each time and setting Personal Bests at each of the distances. This year, things are slightly different. I’ve been so much busier with work that I just want to enjoy taking the time to get active. I'll stick as closely to the original idea as possible but do plan to deviate to keep things fun.

Here’s how it is going/has gone depending on when you choose to read this…

Friday 1st July - Atlético Ottawa 3-0 Cavalry FC

The 2021 Canadian Premier League season kicks off with a win for Ottawa thanks to a 20th minute penalty from Vlad Moragrega and a second half goal each from Ollie Bassett and Miguel Acosta.

A 1km dash to get me started for the month and, given that we are in the midst of summer holidays, I have my son Harry along for the run. We figured out that it’s exactly 1km from home to our nearest McDonalds. It’s a happy meal for him and a McPlant meal for me… I did make sure to get a bottle of water and some cucumber slices to try and keep it as healthy as possible :)

Saturday 2nd July - Pacific FC 2-3 Atlético Ottawa

It’s another win for Ottawa. Somewhat less comfortable this time though. Maxim Tissot opened the scoring in the first half with Pacific drawing level before the break. Second half goals again from Ollie Bassett and Miguel Acosta gave us the win despite a late push back from the home team.

Another 1km but this time I’ve swapped the kids around and it’s my daughter Ruby that comes along. We decide to keep pushing and stretch it out to 1.89km in the end. She complains that it’s far too warm and declares that she won’t be out running again this month.

Monday 4th July - Atlético Ottawa 2-0 FC Edmonton, HFX Wanderers 3-1 Atlético Ottawa

It’s a catch-up day as we round up two results. Ollie Basset is on the scoresheet again along with Keven Alemán to give us the victory over Edmonton. HFX bring the 100% start to an abrupt end by defeating us 3-1, Marc Jankovic our goal scorer - a 6-foot 7-inch behemoth centre back that I signed for defensive cover.

I’ve got Harry back with me today and he declares that he wants to go to the park for a kickabout instead, naturally I am more than happy to oblige. 30 minutes kicking the ball about before we do a walk around the park to spot some squirrels.

Tuesday 5th July - Atlético Ottawa 0-3 Valour FC

Two defeats on the bounce now and the honeymoon is most definitely over. There wasn’t an Ottawa performance worth of mention in this game as we ship 3 goals in consecutive matches.

I need to go and collect the car from town, so I bring along the oldest child - 10-year-old Springer Spaniel Archie. It’s just over a 3km walk down through the famous Titanic Quarter of Belfast. I have to stop to clean up after Archie four times. I only brought four bags… it was a tense final leg of that walk.

Thursday 7th July - York United FC 0-2 Atlético Ottawa, Atletico Ottawa 1-0 Forge FC

It’s another double day. Miguel Acosta and Ollie Bassett again the heroes as we defeat York United to go top of the league before Ollie Bassett strikes again to knock down Forge FC.

I’ve just spent the morning in three-hour meeting via MS Teams so the 2km run feels like a very welcome release. Lone running for the first time this month, the heat has really started to pick up and it reminds me of last summer’s crazy July heatwave.

Friday 8th July - Cavalry FC 2-2 Atlético Ottawa

Having completed the first round of games, we’re back to Cavalry again. Ballou Tabla is the man of the match as he strikes twice to give us the lead on two occasions, only to be pegged back by Cavalry each time. Ballou has two caps for Canada and was previously on the books of Barcelona for two years before returning to Canda.

It’s 2km, it’s warm but it’s almost time to put work away for the week. I thoroughly enjoy my lunchtime run today. The kids have now abandoned me and decided to spend their days off school up at my parents’ house, who doesn’t love the sound of silence?!

Sunday 10th July - Atlético Ottawa 3-1 Pacific FC, FC Edmonton 1-1 Atlético Ottawa

Pacific FC made us work for the points on our own turf. We were 1-0 down after 55 minutes after giving away a penalty but THAT MAN Ollie Bassett knocked in the equaliser before a Vlad Moragrega penalty gave us the lead. Vice-Captain Drew Beckie secured the points with a third in the final moments. We travelled to bottom of the league FC Edmonton for what should have been a guaranteed 3 points however found ourselves a goal down and heading for defeat when Ollie Bassett came up with the goods once again - a 94th minute equaliser! Ollie Bassett’s 7th goal in 10 appearances.

After doubling up again I was due for a moderate 3km. Instead, we took a drive out to the Castle Ward estate and walked for just under 9km. Castle Ward is the setting for parts of Game of Thrones and Bloodlands. No Starks or James Nesbitt out today though, thankfully…

Monday 11th July - Atlético Ottawa 0-1 HFX Wanderers FC

HFX were the first side to take points from us this season and they’ve gone and done it again by inflicting our third defeat of the season so far. We won the pointless xG battle but the scoreline is a poor one, especially at home.

It was back to normal straight out running today and the temperature is really beginning to pick up. It’s the last working day before two days of public holidays in Northern Ireland so it’s nice to get a break from the computer even if it is an absolute cauldron! (By relative terms… you must remember that 20 degrees is almost equivalent to boiling point in Belfast terms!)

Wednesday 13th July - Valour FC 0-2 Atlético Ottawa, Atlético Ottawa 2-0 York United FC

Consecutive 2-0 victories see me through the public holidays. It was a brace from substitute Brian Wright to give us the win away to Valour before a double from Vlad Moragrega secured the points at home to 2nd place York United. We remain top after 13 games.

A rare double day off gave me the chance to do some much needed work in the back garden. So, after numerous trips to the local recycling centre and two hours of power washing, I didn’t feel in the mood for a run!

Thursday 14th July - Forge FC 2-2 Atlético Ottawa

Four first half goals in this game as I twice had to come from behind to leave Ontario with a point. Keven Alemán equalised first before 19-year-old midfielder Zakaria Bahous equalised for the second time with a long-range thumper! It’s the sixth of eight games in the month of June and it’s starting to show on the players as we have to rotate in the spirit of fitness and match condition.

Back to work today and the decision was to go back to a lunchtime kickabout. 30 minutes of me showing how good I am in comparison to a 7-year-old. Too easy…

Friday 15th July - Atlético Ottawa 1-1 Pacific FC

It was a disappointing draw at home to a side we’ve already been twice this season so far. Brian Wright came off the bench to give Ottawa the lead before Pacific hit back 17 minutes later.

A trip to the barbers to have number 2’s hair cut on our lunch. Usually, we’d take the car for ease, but we decided to walk the 1.5km each way there and back which is a full kilometre more than we even needed for this result. Ice cream for him and a coffee for me on the way back.

Monday 18th July - Atlético Ottawa 2-0 Cavalry FC, Pacific FC 1-4 Atlético Ottawa, Atlético Ottawa 3-1 FC Edmonton

It’s a triple header today and three wins on the bounce for Ottawa. Ballou Tabla and Miguel Acosta secure the points against Cavalry. Ten-man Pacific were all at sea when Ottawa sailed home to a 4-1 win thanks to a Tabla double and one each from Vlad Moragrega and Giuliano Simeone (yes!). This day is rounded off with a win over bottom of the league Edmonton - a first goal of the season for midfield engine Abdou Sissoko and two for Moragrega. Fun fact: Abdou Sissoko is the brother of former Liverpool man Mohamed Sissoko.

It’s the first day of a full week’s annual leave from work for me. Mrs fmadventure is still working so I have all three children at home today. I like to keep my weekends quite relaxed, particularly a Saturday, so i’ve saved up the weekend’s activity for today. It was a 2.5km walk to the park and the 2.5km back home again. The youngest got his go on the swings in between naps and we stopped for ice cream on the way back in this ridiculous 30°C heat.

Tuesday 19th July - HFX Wanderers FC 2-1 Atlético Ottawa

HFX continue to be thorn in my side this season as we lose our third game in three against them. Vlad Moregrega put us ahead on 22 minutes but just nine minutes into the second half HFX equalised. On 28 minutes our right back, Carl Haworth, picked up a second yellow card and was subsequently sent off. Straight from the resulting free kick, HFX grabbed a winner to rub salt into the wounds.

It’s my wedding anniversary today and we’ve gone for a night away up to the North Coast of Northern Ireland. This loss means I should be looking at a 3km run. Instead I’ve subbed in a walk around the Giant’s Causeway that marked up as just short of 10km. I commiserated (this result, not my marriage) with a few pints of Guinness, a great meal and watching the sun set from Portstewart harbour.

Wednesday 20th July - Atlético Ottawa 2-1 Valour FC

It was a much-needed response although for a long period of time it didn’t look like it was coming! Valour took a first half lead, and it wasn’t until the 48th minute that Ollie Bassett generated our first response with a fine equaliser. On 71 minutes it was Bassett again who found the net after a superb cross from Miguel Acosta. Ottawa takes all three points on home territory!

On our journey home from the North Coast we stop by at Carrick-a-Rede, famous for its rope bridge across to the island. Thankfully, the winds weren’t too bad but that didn’t prevent a nervy shuffle across the bridge. The bridge itself can just about be seen in the middle of this fancy pano shot below. Also, bottom right: Mrs fmadventure’s right hand.

Thursday 21st July - York United FC 4-1 Atlético Ottawa

York United are one of two sides (HFX the other) who are in direct competition with us for top spot. We’ve had the upper hand on them until now as they inflict our heaviest defeat of the season. Midfielder Chris Manella’s 72nd minute goal gave us hope to reduce the scoreline to 2-1 but York registered goals again in the 86th and 88th minutes to secure a comprehensive victory. One they were worthy of every point for. Our gap at the top of table has now been reduced to just 2 points.

I felt the weight of this loss very heavily on my shoulders. Not least of all as I carried an 18-month-old around Island Hill in scorching July heat. I swear, this is not a paid advertisement blog for Tourism Ireland. Island Hill is a lovely spot though, only accessible by path during low tides. We can all be thankful that we made it back across before the high tide returned.

Friday 22nd July - Atlético Ottawa 1-0 Forge FC

Victory returns to Ottawa in an Ontario derby. It was Mexican loanee Vlad Moragrega with the solitary goal to seal the points at TD Place.

Unashamedly I’ve skipped a run again today. It really is a cheek to call this #RunningFromFM. Instead, we went on a trip to a farm. Not a normal farm but one of those places that calls themselves a farm but has Alpacas, Deer, Tortoises and Snakes. Great day out, all the same. It amounted to a 2.7km walk so that feels a bit less shameful considering the run would only need to be 1km.

Saturday 23rd July - Atlético Ottawa 1-1 Cavalry FC

A real off day for Ottawa after going 1 down in the 73rd minute to Cavalry. Luckily after going down to 10 men, the visitors also conceded a penalty which Vlad Moragrega converted to ensure a share of the points.

In preparation for what I have ahead of me at the end of next week, I’ve swapped the walking/running/sauntering for the bike. Tripling up on distances, it’s a 6km cycle into Titanic Quarter on a breezy Saturday morning.

Sunday 24th July - Pacific FC 3-1 Atlético Ottawa (Canadian Championship Qualifying Round)

It’s time for the domestic cup competition in Canada and my participation has ended almost as quickly as it started, going out to Pacific FC. Brian Wright’s 92nd minute goal did little to provide consolation.

My under 8’s football team made their return to training this morning after a few weeks of a summer break. An hour spent coaching the next generation of aggressive wing backs followed by a gruelling 9km in the near blistering summer sun for my troubles.

Monday 25th July - FC Edmonton 2-0 Atlético Ottawa

It’s all gone wrong! Three games without a win, which makes it our worst run of the season. FC Edmonton knock two goals past us without reply. Oh dear.

To make matters worse, I’ve returned to work today after my week off. I lift out the static bike and do 9km in my living room while catching up on 250 emails received while I was off.

Tuesday 26th July - Atlético Ottawa 3-1 HFX Wanderers FC

A win! At last! Although we were made to work for it. HFX took the lead after just 90 seconds before an Ollie Bassett ensured we were level at the break. Vlad Moragrega’s 84th and 88th minute goals grabbed the points late on.

3km on the bike today and it honestly feels like daylight robbery when I think back about that game. I will absolutely take that though.

Wednesday 27th July - Valour FC 2-3 Atlético Ottawa

Another uneasy one here. It was a very unlikely hero of the day as right back Carl Haworth completed a first half hattrick despite Valour’s valiant efforts.

Two wins in a row and I’d be hesitant to say we are back - we’re bumbling to the end of this season. Having already secured a playoff place, the players look like they’re coasting already. 3km cycle and I give myself a serious pep talk on the way.

Thursday 28th July - Atlético Ottawa 0-1 York United FC

The pep talk didn’t work. An embarrassing result and we’re lucky the early part of the season has seen us through here.

9km cycle through the local park and I accept every metre of it. Lovely day, though.

Friday 29th July - Forge FC 1-1 Altético Ottawa

It’s the last game of the normal league season and Ollie Bassett’s early second half goal looked like it was going to get us back on track but Forge equalised with 8 minutes to go. Have we simply ran out of steam at the finishing line?

It’s 6km on the bike, it’s been a great month and the end is in sight.

Saturday 30th July - Atlético Ottawa 2-2 Pacific FC (4-5 after penalties) Canadian Premier League Playoff Semi Final

The team that put me out of the cup has now ended my season on the penultimate step! The league splits to a playoff semi final (1st v 4th and 2nd v 3rd) after a 28 game season. I’m paired with 4th placed Pacific and have home advantage thanks to me finishing the league in first place - 3 points clear of York United FC.

Vlad Moragrega opens the scoring with a 7th minute penalty and Miguel Acosta doubles the lead on 22 minutes as we look to go sailing into the final! Pacific strike back to level terms with goals in the 30th and 45th minute. A scoreless second half leaves us with penalties to play and we fall short in the end.

I should mention that we were missing three vital players - Abdou Sissoko was suspended, Maxim Tissot and Ballou Tabla were unbelievably on International Duty with Canada. Playoff games scheduled during an international break is madness.

l count this one as a full loss and take my 9km on the chin. It’s a slow and steady 9km though with what lies ahead in the morning.

Sunday 31st July - THE BIG MATCH

I’m all done with Ottawa in FM22. Pacific FC have gone on to win the play off final - is that any consolation to me? No, no it is not.

Every year in July, I take part in a football match to raise some money for charity. The charity we raise money for is Cardiac Risk in the Young – Young Sudden Cardiac Death – Cardiac Risk in the Young (c-r-y.org.uk). I’d encourage everyone to have a look at the great work that they do and donate if you can.

I managed 50 minutes of play as my team ran out winners of what we call “Junior Day” in memory of a friend that passed away in 2016. More importantly we raised a lot of money that will go towards the fantastic services that CRY provide.

This year’s Running From FM has been a real journey. Not so much running but plenty of fun. Football at lunch, spending time with the family and doing things I generally love doing. On a side note I discovered a love for the Canadian League on FM after not even knowing it existed!

Here’s the key facts and figures:

28 regular league games played - 15 wins, 6 draws and 7 losses. 47 goals scored and 33 goals conceded.

Goals scored: Vlad Moragrega - 13, Ollie Bassett - 11, Miguel Acosta and Ballou Tabla - 5

Assists: Miguel Acosta - 9, Maxim Tissot - 7, Carl Haworth - 5