Month: September 2019

GRTW Runderlust – this weekend’s pick of bucket list races from around the world

Posted on 28/09/201927/09/2019 by Sarah Shaw

This week’s Runderlust rounds up our top pick of races to bookmark for the end of September, and is inadvertently brought to you by the lettter ‘B’… Berlin Marathon, Germany A beautiful course, a good chance of near-perfect Autumn running weather, and the flattest of the Abbott World Marathon Majors, it is no coincidence that six out of the top 10 ever men’s marathon times – and two out of the top 10 womens’ – were run here. As Kipchoge knows, Berlin is not only a fabulous course to target for a PB, but also to soak up the atmosphere

Recycled Running – What can we do?

Posted on 23/09/2019 by Sarah Shaw

From 23-29th September, it’s Recycling Week, a campaign to encourage the public to recycle more. Now in its 17th year, this year’s theme is Recycling. It’s in our own hands. The focus on being sustainable and zero waste has never been so high on the agenda, but in the running and triathlon world, we seem stuck in the 1970s. So what can we do as running and triathlon consumers do ourselves to change the status quo? Vote with your feet Don’t get us wrong, everyone loves a memento of a big race and a bit of race bling, so we’re

GRTW Runderlust: this weekend’s bucket list races from around the world

Posted on 21/09/2019 by Rachael Woolston

With a half marathon that also affords a fabulous sunny weekend away in Porto, renowned for port wine, excellent wine bars on rooftops, delicious seafood and slow strolls through cobbled streets what more could you want? Whether you’re looking for a fast race or simply the chance to explore, the Porto half caters for all, with well regulated start pens – and you can even get a shower at the end. For more details visit Hyundai Porto Half Marathon . For information about Porto, visit Porto and the North website. Ston Wall Marathon Quite afford to fly to China for

Knee pain explained – and three ways to train your way out of pain

Posted on 19/09/2019 by Rachael Woolston

Knee pain can take many women out of action, from beginners to seasoned female athletes. Here’s what causes it and what you can do to prevent – or recover from it…. All too often, we push through knee pain, pushing it away thinking that it will go away or that the pain is just in our head. But when it turns into a persistent, dull nagging ache, sharp pain or even feels like ground glass under the kneecap, you know that the situation is going to need more than just taking ibuprofen. Here we explain the mechanisms behind knee pain and

Ever heard of competitive stranger syndrome?

Posted on 17/09/201916/09/2019 by Sarah Shaw

Thud, thud. Huff, puff, Thud, thud, Grunt. Many of us have experienced it – the unwelcome sound of footsteps gaining on you, then that sideways ‘Beat you!’ glance as they pass. As you resist the urge to proclaim; ‘Hang on buster, I’m on a training run! (or a treadmill!) – this isn’t a race! And by the way, I’ve just run xx sodding miles!’, you might wonder what has got this guy or gal’s goat. The usual suspect is, more often than not, a relatively new runner or weekend warrior, whose ego is disproportionately tied up with running as fast

GRTw Runderlust: this weekend’s bucket list races from around the world

Posted on 14/09/2019 by Sarah Shaw

Get inspiration for your race list for 2020 and beyond with our pick of this week’s sea-salty bucket races… The Purbeck Running Festival If you like your coast on the rugged side, head to the Jurassic Coast for The Purbeck Running Festival and soak up the area’s spectacular history and landscapes – not to mention a few erm, big hills. With over 3,000 foot elevation in the marathon route, this s not for faint-hearted, (if you go for the Ultra distance, you’ll climb over 7000 feet – that’s over 1 ½ times the height of Ben Nevis!) But with views

3 reasons why you should use a kettlebell if you’re a female runner/triathlete

Posted on 12/09/201918/03/2021 by Rachael Woolston

Nowadays, most female runners and triathletes understand the importance of strength training. When it comes to kettlebells though, many baulk, anxious about it’s look, the movement pattern and potential impact on the back, along with not quite knowing what to do with it. But put that all to one side, because the kettlebell is the best bit of kit for women training for endurance running and triathlon, not just for the huge benefits it brings but for the fact that it saves SO much time. In brief, a proper swing involves holding the kettlebell by its handle in both hands

Run Foraging: The ultimate mind switch off

Posted on 11/09/201910/09/2019 by Rachael Woolston

Autumn is one of the best times for foraging runs, where you can head off around your city or up on the trails with a backpack and return laden with this season’s fantastic fruits. From crab apples to the sweet, tart taste of an English apple, and from blackberries to figs, mushrooms to sloe berries, it is amazing what you can find once you look out for them. And that’s true whether you live in the city or the country. In fact, a great resource to find things in London are the Fallen Fruit maps, created by Californian based artists,

Runderlust: 2 Bucket List Race Destinations

Posted on 08/09/201906/09/2019 by Rachael Woolston

This weekend there are some cracking events for your running bucket list from the Ladakh Ultra to the Lima Half Marathon. But our pick of the crop for this weekend are races that sum up ice and fire! First up, is the Petra Marathon in Jordan, which starts in the ancient city of Petra, and takes you past incredible tombs, mountainside carvings and caves before venturing into the lunar-like landscapes of the Jordanian desert. There’s also a half if you aren’t a fan of overly hot running for 26.2 miles. For slightly cooler but as spectacular surroundings, this weekend also

5 Ways to Return to Running Fitness Successfully

Posted on 02/09/201903/09/2019 by Sarah Shaw

After the long hazy days of summer with no training structure, it can be tempting to rush back to running and overdo it. STOP! First, read our guide to getting back to race sharpness swiftly, safely and without adding stress to an already busy life. Words & Pictures: Sarah Shaw As we dash around, dusting off our work-life juggling skills, getting kids sorted for school while attempting to relocate our hole-free work tights from the back of drawers, it will hit many of us how much we’ve let our running fitness go. But there’s no need to panic, as the new season is a