What am I training for?

two ladies running on a beach

The coronavirus or Covid-19 is causing havoc across the world and its presence is being felt here in the UK, with the cancellation of most sporting events and now all our social training groups. I’ve seen many comments on social media: ‘I’m not actually sure what I’m training for’, ‘running for therapy’ ‘running for life’, ‘running for love’. It is exactly this! If nothing else this situation will remind us of why we train and run. It’ll take us back to the reason we first started on our journeys and quite possibly rekindle the love affair.

SDW100 – Definitely a very long way!

Ok so nearly 48 hours since I finished and finally starting to feel ok-ish. Two days of ???? but it was definitely all worth it. This is a big post be warned ? The South Downs Way ?- my first 100 mile ultra. It’s been a long time coming, exactly 5 years since my first ultra the Classic Quarter, and …

Mental Strength or Just Mental – Autumn 100

Mark Barnett with his 100 mile buckle

Our amazing Mark Barnett recalls his epic day out at the Centurion Autumn 100 Words Mark Barnett —————————————————————————————————————————– The Centurion Running Autumn 100 is a 4 Spur race, 4 out and backs of 25 miles each.  2 spurs on the Ridgeway and 2 on the Thames Path, starting and finishing at Goring on Thames. I awoke on the morning of …

South Downs Way 100 2018 – So hard and yet so rewarding!

Words by our lovely athlete Victoria Henderson Are you insane? This is the response I got when people found out I was planning to run the South Downs Way 100. To be honest, if they’d asked me again 40 miles in, I would have said yes! …And yet I did it. I kept going, and I got to the finish …

UTMB CCC 2018 – Part Two – The journey into the unknown!

The bit you’ve all been waiting for, the gory details of the race itself, but first let’s look at the kit list. The CCC (Courmayeur-Champex-Chamonix) is one of 7 races in the week-long trail running extravaganza based in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc in the French Rhone Alps. It is the only race, apart the UTMB itself that travels through 3 countries, over 5 …

UTMB CCC 2018 – Part One – The build up!

After my first ultra in June 2014, the Classic Quarter on the Cornish coast path, I looked up what the UTMB points were that I’d gained after the race. I was captivated by the enormity of this week-long series of races circulating the Mont Blanc massive in various clockwise and anti-clockwise routes. It seemed way beyond my reach so I …

Always challenge yourself! A trail adventure in Portugal

Our very own Coach Nicky took herself off an adventure to the hills of the Peneda Geres National Park in Portugal. A tough 4 day trail event through beautiful scenery and varying terrains. Read on to find out how Nicky trained for the event and what she learnt about trail running and longer distances out in the hills….. Nicky’s words: “This …

When the Heat is on!

Chris Maxwell, our head Triathlon coach and long course expert, talks about his recent London Marathon experience in incredibly tough conditions and how to overcome racing in the heat and circumstances out of your control. I enthusiastically looked forward to my first London marathon in 18 years, in the knowledge my run form and fitness was probably the best it …

Just Get Me to the Start Line – Lakeland 50 2017

I can’t describe the excitement when the email alert popped up on my phone from the legendary Marc Laithwaite, offering me an elite entry to the Lakeland 50 2017. The race is in its 10th year, and the number of entries were higher for this year than previous years, with 800 runners in the 50 mile event. The race build …

7 Half Marathon Race Week Preparation Tips

So, the big half marathon you’ve been focussing on is here. How do you prepare this week? How is a half marathon different from other races? What should you eat in the build up? March and April brings a host of great half marathon races to the UK running calendar, Bath Half, Reading Half, Fleet Half to name a few. …