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Mastering Start Line Nerves

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5 tips for a Calm and Confident Race Day You don’t have to wait until Halloween (also known as Autumn race season) to feel a little scared by the starting line. Pre-race jitters are common, and they’re powerful enough to stop some runners from entering races at all. But with the right techniques, you can[…]

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New York Marathon Review Notes for Runners

Reading notes: I’ve written about this in detail from a runner’s perspective, as the little things can be important when you’re choosing a marathon, or getting ready to run. I’ve split it into sections so you can skip to the parts you’re interested in. I ran in 2022 which was unseasonably hot, so what people[…]

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Virtual Running – tips how to run your virtual race & enjoy it

Virtual running tips

Are you planning a virtual run? Lots of virtual marathons coming up. Tips how to plan & enjoy our virtual run, plus a downloadable bib you can personalise.

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From Plateau to PB: how we hit new levels in our 40s

Sarah Dudgeon Seville Marathon Finish 2020

Seville 2020 saw us both smash our PBs after 20 years of running and broadly plateauing in the last several years. As a result, many people have asked us, along the lines of, “How on earth did you do that?!” So here are our reflections on how we managed such a significant step change, although, spoiler alert, there is no magic; focus and hard work are at the heart of it.

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What if my marathon or half marathon is cancelled?

keep-calm-and-keep-training_

If you’re concerned your event will be cancelled, don’t panic, keep training, and here are a few tips from me as a recent cancellation ‘survivor’. 2020 Corona Virus cancellations Marathons and other events started cancelling, restricting or postponing, often at the last minute. Until the virus spread more widely and all global mass participating events[…]

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How to wear multifunctional headwear

how to wear multifunctional headwear

It’s handy to know how to wear multifunctional headwear., so you can get full use out of this incredibly versatile piece of kit. Don’t be restricted by how you may have seen people using them.  Grab one, have a go and post below if you find some new ways to wear them. What is ‘multifunctional[…]

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Dynamic and Static Stretching

Dynamic and static stretches

Stretching – what, how and why?! Stretching can sound like yet another thing we know we should probably do, but don’t! Even if you commit to doing it, you’re not always sure you’re doing it right. Do I need to stretch? Latest research and thinking will always evolve. These are what I think we can[…]

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MarathonTalk Run Camp Austria 2017

MarathonTalk Run Camp Austria 2017 AIM The aim of this run camp was to explore the location, test some running routes and the Villa, to see how they could work for future running MarathonTalk camps. 14 intrepid MarathonTalk listeners took up this mission, led by MarathonTalk co-host and running coach Martin Yelling, and supported by[…]

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Night of the 10,000m PBs

Night of the 10,000m PBs is a brilliant concept with amazing atmosphere, exciting racing at Club to Olympic level, and spectators watching the action right from the track. I was lucky enough to run and spectate this year (2017). HISTORY The event is the brainchild of Ben Pochee. In 2013, only nine men and one[…]

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Seville Marathon Review

Seville marathon review, 2017 edition Reading note: I’ve written about this in detail from a runner’s perspective, as the little things can be important when you’re choosing a marathon, or getting ready to run. I’ve split it into sections so you can skip to the sections you’re interested in. I first came across the Seville[…]

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Two top positive mindset tricks to improve your training and racing

body achieves what the mind believes ArtOfYourSuccess.com

How mantras & visualisation can help you be your best Visualising a goal time Visualise your dream time as you cross the line at your event. It doesn’t need to be ‘good’ by anyone else’s standards, it just needs to be meaningful for you. Maybe you’d like a post injury comeback time, or a new[…]

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Marathon Talk Run Camp 2017 Sandy Balls

MarathonTalk & its annual run camp at Sandy Balls, New Forest, UK I went on the MarathonTalk camp as I’ve listened to it as a fantastic podcast since it started in January 2010. February 2016 was the fourth camp they’ve run, and it always sells out fast as they have a large and loyal following[…]

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The Abingdon Marathon

Abingdon Marathon Course

The Abingdon Marathon is a great alternative to big city marathons like London. It’s run at the end of October every year and a fantastic choice if you’re looking for a fast flat UK Autumn marathon. Background note: This original review was written in 2016 after the third time I ran the event, which I thought[…]

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How to get into the London Marathon

How to get into the London Marathon, 10 ways to get in

How to get into the London Marathon London Marathon – ways to get in How to get into the London Marathon – summary & intro I’ve run over 50 marathons, including around 20 Londons, so I’m often asked how to get in. SummaryThere’s more than one way to get into the London Marathon. Here are[…]

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5 non-running ways to get a marathon PB

5 tips to get a marathon PB

Yes you do still need to run to train for a marathon.  But what you do outside of running, and how you fit it in and think about it, can all add up to help you get that marathon PB (or PR for US runners!) Here are 5 ways to help you, including my own[…]

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Royal Parks Half Marathon

Royal Parks Half Marathon 2015 Along with a stunning route, the Royal Parks Half Marathon also always seems to secured beautiful autumn weather, perfect for both runners and supporters. The overall feeling at this race is always one of inclusion, with beginner-friendly warm-up routines, and even tannoy messages to check that shoelaces are tied. The[…]