Essential gear for your long runs

Hello!

issue 134 || February 2021

We couldn’t have done it without…

Juliet is a former GP turned health writer and author.

HEADLINES &MOTHER

The people, campaigns, research and updates making an impact in our running community this month USA commits to offering childcare and lactation stations at track meets

NEW GEAR

Don’t skimp on winter run kit. You need to keep your muscles warm and cosy

Bulletproof my runs to prevent injury?

At this time of year, motivation is soaring, your running journey is settling down and your goals are starting to take shape. Rather than deal with niggles once they happen, you can work to ensure you stay running happy, strong and hard through preventative strategies

HEALTH

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

Sarah Pritchard

Sarah suffered from postnatal depression after the birth of her second child. With the encouragement of her friend Hannah and the support of psychiatrists, she was persuaded to put her trainers on again, and in so doing started her journey back to full health

FUEL

Take your nutrition seriously and it will pay back in terms of your running. We’ve got snacks, drinks and digestive advice on the menu this issue

Tri as she might

Laura Fountain is a mother, a running coach, a personal

CLINIC

New year, new injury? How can you avoid the pitfalls of doing too much too soon as you embark on a new, or re-energised training plan?

MY BEST RUN Whitley Pike on the Pennine Way

Debbie Martin-Consani on the irresistible misery of the Spine Race

Should you do long runs all year round?

With few races to train for, as well as the winter weather to contend with, should you keep up your long runs every week of the year?

“I love the thrill of seeing how fast I can still run”

Jo Pavey has her eye on a final – her sixth! – Olympic Games, so is training hard for Tokyo 2021. We met her to look back over her 23-year career in international athletics

My running game changers

The key bits of kit Jo Pavey treasures most

Shock of the fall

You’re told you can’t run for [insert scary number] weeks. Rather than curling up in a ball, what can you do to get through your enforced layoff safely and sanely?

BODY

Movement and speed specialist Mike Antoniades has seen

MIND

An enforced hiatus from running, for whatever reason

TAKING BACK CONTROL

Running and cancer may not be an obvious pairing, but for Emma Campbell they come hand in hand

NURVV DISCOVER YOUR TRUE RUNNING POTENTIAL

The latest running tech could make you unstoppable. Let’s go the distance with NURVV Run

Imposter syndrome

Ensuring you feel comfortable in your own skin can help to set you on the path of running success

Running mates Because we run better together

This month you tell us what races you’re looking forward to in 2021, how you plan to tackle your first 100-miler and why you started your own running club when you couldn’t find one nearby

Your questions answered

Our experts line up to answer questions, give advice and offer reassurance on run matters, from varicose veins to nausea, and overpronation to osteoporosis

RACE

If you’re a regular race calendar watcher, you’ll no

Iva Barr

Iva was an iconic British marathon runner who took up running at the age of 55. She was a local and national hero, showing the world that age need never prevent you from chasing your dreams

FALLING IN LOVE WITH YOUR LONG RUN

With some simple planning, and plenty of experimenting, your weekly long run will enable you to build stamina and slowly switch on your confidence, to ensure race-day success

“It’s all about time on feet”

Even these awesome women were beginners once: how do they prepare for their longer runs?

BUILD YOUR ENDURANCE

Endurance training is not rocket science; it’s really a case of building up your long runs and making sure you’ve got the core strength to maintain good form

Claire Cashmore

Since becoming a triathlete, Claire has discovered

ESSENTIAL KIT NEW RELEASE SHOES

Our testers have gone the extra mile in this month’s latest shoes

ESSENTIAL NUTRITION

Fuel yourself to those new year PBs

ESSENTIAL MATERNITY KIT

The right kit helps you stay active throughout your pregnancy. We asked ultrarunner Sophie Power, aft er she had her third baby, to test these products

ESSENTIAL LEGGINGS

Stayability, stretchiness, reflectivity, breathability. Oh, and plenty of style too, please

ESSENTIAL BRAS

Find the right sports bra for your size and shape

GROUP TEST LAYERING UP & JACKETS

Layers, hoodies, vests and coats. We’ve tested them all and the results are in

ESSENTIAL TECH

Stay one step ahead of your competition with the latest gadgets

MAAREE Solidarity Bra

This award-winning bra – designed by a woman who runs – significantly reduces upward and downward motion with its clever Overband technology. We wanted to find out more about it

THE BARE BONES

Understanding what lies beneath is key to your injury prevention and for continuing to run healthily and happily

Postnatal workout

Strengthening your core muscles aft er giving birth will help you get back into shape and prevent postnatal running injuries

Toe drag

Shin splints are a common complaint; this simple move can prevent them

Breakfast of champions

Try these simple, mouth-watering meals to kickstart your morning run. Those apricot and pistachio bars work brilliantly as a post-run snack too…

Hayley Madigan

Hayley is a sports scientist and online female health coach specialising in amenorrhea recovery, disordered eating and body image