IF THE THOUGHT OF BEING UNABLE TO RUN MAKES YOU BREAK OUT IN A COLD SWEAT, FEAR NOT! HERE ARE 10 SUREFIRE WAYS TO ENSURE YOU STAY STRONG TO RUN ALL YEAR LONG

WORDS: TINA CHANTREY

If you’ve kick-started your running year with an improved training plan, more miles and a string of new challenges to tackle, the last thing you want is to be sidelined by injury. Having new goals and mixing up your training regime is great for us all, but if you don’t increase your strength training at the same time, as well as look after yourself, you may find yourself forced into the role of cheerleader for your running buddies.

This year can be amazing – if you want it to be. We want you to enjoy every step of your running journey, so follow our top 10 tips and your running and confidence will only improve.

01 BE STRONG!

“Many runners love to run so much, they forget to do strength workouts as well,” says Tracy Griffen, a personal trainer and author of the Healthy Living Yearbook (£9.99, Griffen Fitness). “Lunges, squats, glute bridges and single-leg resistance exercises will all improve your leg strength.” More muscle means more running power, as well as a significant decrease in running niggles. “Most running injuries I see are in people who run too much and don’t do strength work,” she adds.