Products to help you run, race, remember
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[…]
How to apply Instructions and video demo below 1. Remove the transparent top sheet and discard. Making sure that the skin is clean and dry. 2. Place the tattoo face down, onto the desired area and soak the backing paper. 3. Hold for 30 seconds and then gently slide (not peel) the paper away. Wash/wipe[…]
Why is pacing important, how to do it & how pace bands work. Why Kipchoge used even pacing, how to do it, plus pace bands to hit your target.
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.
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.
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[…]
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[…]
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[…]
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[…]
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[…]
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[…]
Conker your goals: What squirrels can teach us about autumn training AUTUMN TRAINING Seasonal scenery (& scampering squirrels) Autumn is a fantastic time of year to run or cycle outside. If you don’t live near a park or any trails, it’s a perfect time to visit some. In contrast to our high tech world[…]
Motivation’s a big deal. It’s one of the things I’m asked about most. It seems to come naturally to some people. To others, I look like someone who finds it easy. But in reality I’ve just thought hard about what works for me, and worked to put that in place. Here I break it down[…]
Most of us are time-poor. Family, work, friends, home; it can be a challenge just fitting the basics in, let alone training. We often wonder how much better we’d be in our sport if only we had more time to train. It’s also common to assume everyone else has more time available. In reality, we[…]
It’s marathon season, from London to Paris to Brighton to Boston, and including the ultimate for many, the Marathon Des Sables. If you’re running or supporting, here’s how to get ready. Runners You can check out my tips on Marathon Prep, Tapering, and Day of the Marathon Logistics. * Write it down! There’s a lot[…]
I often get asked how or where people should watch runners in a marathon. Here are my top tips after years of both running and watching. Picking out your runner If you’re watching on the actual race sidelines, then make sure you know exactly what kit your runner is wearing. A ‘bright shirt’ or running[…]
Spring. A time of daffodils and lambs for most people. But for many runners, the blossom and the lighter mornings signal that Spring marathons are approaching. Even with a few weeks to go, there’s lots you can do to get yourself fully prepped, from your kit, to your race strategies. Here’s 4 steps how to[…]
Racing doesn’t mean you have to be a competitive person. You can race for many reasons. Racing is hard but the rewards are worth it. Running, triathlon or cycling, here’s 5 reasons why you should race. 1. The competition is up to you For most of us, unless we’re elite, it’s unlikely we’ll win our[…]
If you chat to other runners and cyclists, you probably talk about how hard or long your workouts were. Much less-talked about is recovery. Maybe it doesn’t create as good stories of hardship as training or racing can, but it’sjust as important as your physical training. Don’t just take it from me, in her autobiography[…]
Let’s face it, when it’s cold, or cold and raining, cold and snowing, and dark, we just don’t feel as motivated to train. It’s harder to put on your trainers and your kit inside in the warm, to then have to launch yourself into the harsh conditions. In the UK and Northern Hemisphere there are[…]