Month: March 2018

The Strava Chronicles

Posted on 29/03/2018 by Rachael Woolston

A recent article in The Times by Peta Bee highlighted the rise of online virtual training apps like Strava. Love it or loathe it (and she was on the fence due to being confronted when meeting her virtual followers in real life – read the article here), being on Strava creates some funny behaviour. Do you recognise yourself in any of these…? I certainly do, I’m embarrassed to say… The one where you spell out every bit of your training regime No, not come across this? Or perhaps you don’t even know what it means and you think it is

Documentary: Skid Row marathon

Posted on 28/03/2018 by Rachael Woolston

If you’re a runner, you know how transformative running is; it can change your mood in all the time that it takes to run for 20 minutes. And with each goal you achieve, whether a personal best or a new distance target, your confidence to believe you are capable of achieving more encourages you to challenge yourself to be a better you in all areas of your life. If it needed any more proof, this is illustrated by Skid Row Marathon, a new documentary that has won a slew of US film awards and launches in the UK on London

GRTW Easter South Downs Sunday Trail Run

Posted on 27/03/2018 by Rachael Woolston

Escape the family melee and build up an appetite (or, ahem, create a calorie deficit to make up for those Easter eggs) this Sunday April 1st. We have a beautiful seven mile route planned that will take in all the deans, Rottingdean, Woodingdean and Ovingdean, exploring the South Downs in Spring. Expect lambs, daffodils and a beautiful run that will incorporate some hills for those of our runners who are training for our Get Together Events, the sold out Angmering Trail Run 10km or 10 miles. But if you’re NOT training for anything and simply fancy exploring a new route,

How was your weekend running?

Posted on 25/03/2018 by Rachael Woolston

Hurrah, it seems like the first weekend in ages that we’ve all had a respite from cold winds, snow, ice and frost which has probably made for a great Sunday training run for those on their final long marathon runs or who are tapering. And then there were the races on this weekend. First up is the inaugural London Landmarks Half Marathon, which lots of our Girls Run the World community ran (we have a review coming up if you’re thinking of doing it next year), and along with the London and Brighton marathon ‘sharpener’ the Cranleigh 15 and

GRTW Recipes for Runners: Roasted Butternut Squad and Halloumi Salad with Coconut, Coriander & Chilli Pesto

Posted on 23/03/2018 by Rachael Woolston

This is one of those recipes that sounds like a total hassle and like it will take a ton of time. But it’s really quite easy as most of it can be shoved in the oven to roast away and the pesto itself takes minutes if you have a food processor. The pesto is the queen of this dish, it’s amaaaazing and you can use it with anything from fish to roast chicken so it makes a brilliant post-run meal which sorts out your protein recovery fix as well as being damn tasty. Ingredients For the pesto 75 g

Race Review: The Moyleman

Posted on 20/03/2018 by Rachael Woolston

A weekend of snow and sub-zero temperatures saw road races cancelled all over the UK. But that didn’t stop this off-road marathon and relay half marathon from taking place on the trails above Lewes ending at Harvey’s Brewery… One by one, the races due to take part over the weekend fell victim to the snow, ice and windchill and I was expecting – and truth be told, hoping – the same would happen for this off-road trail race that has only been going for the last four years. But it wasn’t cancelled and I’m so glad because this trail race,

GRTW Recipes for Foodie Runners: Cauliflower & black kale coconut curry

Posted on 16/03/2018 by Rachael Woolston

Packed with protein this is a satisfying and nutritious dish fcontaining coconut milk which contains vitamins C, E, B1, B3, B5 and B6 and minerals including iron, selenium and sodium, perfect for a post run recovery meal… Haven’t got all the vegetables you need? Mix and match with what you have in your fridge. Serves 4 4cm ginger, peeled and chopped 4 garlic cloves 1 fresh green chilli, roughly chopped, seeds removed if you prefer less heat Salt Olive oil 2 large red onions, chopped 1 tbsp of tomato puree 1 1/2 tsp of ground coriander 1 1/2 tsp ground

Marathon Mastery Series: How to avoid an upset tummy

Posted on 13/03/2018 by Rachael Woolston

As we approach peak training load for those running Spring marathons, we often hear of runners complaining of an upset stomach and/or feeling sick during and after a run. Read on for advice about how to avoid it…. For many runners, stomach pain, feeling sick and needing the toilet urgently, are all unfortunate consequences of an increase in marathon training and long training runs. There are a number of factors at play that cause this, but one could be taking on too much carbohydrate in the form of gels. ‘If you take on too many gels or sports energy

GRTW Food for Foodie Runners: Spicy Cambodian Inspired Salad

Posted on 09/03/2018 by Rachael Woolston

This recipe is inspired by the food that I ate while in Cambodia where I was writing about taking part in the Angkor Wat Half Marathon (watch out for our upcoming December 2019 trip) for Run ABC magazine. It’s packed with mint, chilli and all important fresh turmeric which is used in so much of Cambodian food and is particularly renowned for it’s anti-inflammatory properties helping you to recovery quickly – while enjoying LUSH food. Ingredients (Serves two) Fresh turmeric root (available from most Asian supermarkets or health food stores) 1-2 Birds Eye red chillies Fresh mint and