Contours

We couldn’t have done it without…

ISSUE 171 || MARCH 2024

Masthead

THE TEAM SENIOR EDITOR Esther Newman SENIOR ART

Hello!

ISSUE 171 || MARCH 2024

LIFESTYLE

Headlines || People || Food || Kit ||

THEWOMEN MAKINGRUN HISTORY…

Historic 5K and 10K performances

WOMEN LESS LIKELY TO ENTER RUNNING EVENTS

New research commissioned by British race organiser Threshold

NEW GEAR

As the weather warms up, chuck out the black kit and sling on some colour. This issue, we’re seeing red

PREVENT HAMSTRING INJURIES?

The tendons and muscles at the back of your thighs run from your hips to just below your knees. They are crucial for extending your legs back and bending your knees. If you overload them, it may cause injury; so what can you do to stop this from happening?

HEALTH

The latest nutrition, beauty and health headlines. Because running doesn’t end at your feet

Jenny Hartley

Jenny started running aged 16 when she joined the army, and got used to wearing heavy boots and a 15kg rucksack. She recently took on an ultra following the death of her father, to raise money for Cancer Research

FUEL

The latest nutrition to nourish your body and fuel your running

INJURY CLINIC

Hip flexor strain

MY BEST RACE

CALIFORNIA Badwater 135 Endurance runner and Peloton instructor Susie

As a runner, should I train to heart rate in order to improve?

When you reach a plateau in your training, experts recommend that working within specific heart rate zones will kickstart progress again. But will it just make you a slave to technology?

RUNNING FAST GIVES ME SUCH A MASSIVE BOOST OF ADRENALINE

Lizzie Dimond knows how to dig herself out of a running goal. The multi-distance, super speedy, runner from south Wales has developed some excellent strategies over the years for keeping the negative thoughts at bay on race day…

10 WAYS TO RUN A BETTER MARATHON

(apart from running)

TALES FROM THE POD

Esther has returned from The National Running Show exhausted but full of exciting plans, and Holly is not only training for a half, but also dreaming of a full, marathon

Running mates

Because we run better together

Your questions answered

Marathon training mistakes to avoid, how to treat piles and the dos and don’ts of sports massages. Plus, is it ever okay to walk?

ST ALBANS STAMPEDE

HERTFORDSHIRE

GREAT EASTERN RUN

Laura Fountain had her fingers firmly crossed for this event back in October 2023

DIARY

Races are about far more than tarmac and medals. Let’s see – there’s the views, the teamwork, the music, the snacks, the dicovery of new places, the weather, the obstacles, the feelgood fundraising factor… In fact, we can’t think of a better way to spend a day out. See you on the start line!

CAMILLE HERRON

US ultrarunner Camille Herron is still rocking the world of running in her 40s

COACH

Run your best race || 50K training plan

How to... Run your best race

Spring signals the start of a packed calendar of races. Marathons and half marathons are very popular in spring and autumn, so perhaps you’re gearing up for a long one, or maybe you’ve got your very first 5K or 10K race on the horizon. Whatever your distance, we’ve got you covered with all the tips and advice you need to run your best race in 2024

Your 50k Ultra TRAINING PLAN

If you’ve done a marathon, you may have an itch that needs scratching… you want to push it a bit further, don’t you? Don’t worry, our training plan will help you smash that ultra

Laura Watts

Laura Watts is a British ultra-marathon athlete who says she is just a normal girl trying to do extraordinary things. Atwo-time Badwater 135 finisher, Laura wants to be the first British woman to finish this iconic race three times

KIT

Shoes || Clothes || Tech

MARCH KIT

NEW RELEASE SHOES

GROUP TEST LEGGINGS

Protect your pins in the most stylish way you can

ESSENTIAL GILETS

From the natural warmth of feathers to high-tech toastiness, a gilet is always a good idea

ESSENTIAL TOPS

Midlayers are the bread-and-butter of British running. Don’t go out without one

ESSENTIAL BRAS

We’ve never had it so good in terms of sports bra design, tech and style so let’s make the most of it

ESSENTIAL ACCESSORIES

Yes, it’s spring, but it’s not spring spring. By which we mean, it’s still a bit blimmin’ cold and dark…

Long-distance TEST

Tina has been blasting through bogs and flying through flooded fields in these hardy mountain shoes

ESSENTIAL TECH

Trackers for your performance, your sleep, your workouts… and your rest days

3 of the best apps

Technology can make fitness more affordable and accessible too

GET YOUR HIGHS

Training in heat and at altitude is an important part of preparing for some races. And who knows, you might just fall in love with it!

RACE DAY STRENGTH

Take a day off the running and get your body ready for race day at home 

Perfect form RUNSCHOOL HIGH KNEES

High knees are aerobic and strength building. They also warm up your body so are a great way to kickstart your morning run

Running on ENDO

Often misdiagnosed, or not diagnosed at all, endometriosis is difficult to treat but it needn’t mean an end to your running

Revive Active

reviveactive.com

Women's Running

womensrunning.co.uk/pod patreon.com/womensrunning

asics

SPORTSSHOES.COM

GREAT RUN

GREATRUN.ORG

WOMEN’S RUNNING

womensrunning.co.uk/welcome

Why aren’t you running an ULTRA?

Women's Running

Balance

HARRIER TRAIL RUNNING

DIDRIKSONS

BOOTCAMP

Women's Runnning

womensrunnning.co.uk/bundle