ULTIMATE RACE GUIDE

We couldn’t have done it without…

Emma Kirk-Odunubi Emma is a sports scientist and

THE TEAM

SENIOR EDITOR Esther Newman SENIOR ART EDITOR Alex

"I GENUINELY BELIEVE OUR SOCKS HAVE SUPERPOWERS!"

Lianne Carvell

LIANNE’S ESSENTIAL KIT

Must-haves when Lianne is out running

Hello!

issue 168 || December 2023

LIFE STYLE

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

PARKRUN’S SUCCESS IN THE COMMUNITY

The people, campaigns, research and updates making an impact in our running community this month

SPORTSWOMEN OFTHEYEAR

Congratulations to Hannah Cockroft who won the Citi

LET’S LIFT THE CURFEW

Raising awareness of the worries women have about

This month we love...

NATURESPLUS BIOADVANCED STRESS SUPPORT £24.95, NATURESPLUS.CO.UK Don’t let

NEW GEAR

All I want for Christmas is some All I want for Christmas is some new run tech…

IMPROVE MY RUNNING BY ‘MICRO-DOSING’?

We all know we should be doing regular strength and conditioning work to improve our running and reduce injury risk, but how are we supposed to find the time? A plan that focuses on little and often may just be the answer…

HEALTH

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

Alice Connelly

Turning grief into resilience, Alice Connelly took on a UK coastal challenge, literally taking one step at a time through all terrain and weather over 10 months

FUEL

The latest nutrition to nourish your body and fuel your running 

WHEN COACHING’S IN THE GENES

Laura Fountain is a running coach, a personal trainer, a marathon runner and the author of The Lazy Runner and Tricurious. She is running a new Marathon Squad for spring: lazygirlrunning.com/marathon-squad Follow Laura @lazygirlrunning

This month’s wise women

DIET STARTS MONDAY: DITCH THE SCALES, RECLAIM YOUR

INJURY CLINIC

Core strength

MY BEST RACE

Tissington Trail Marathon

Events

OUNDLE 20MILE, 10K AND 5K Run around the

My three-year-old sports bra is so comfortable, I don’t need to get a new one just yet, do I?

Come on, admit it, we’ve all got sports bras that we love so much we don’t want to stop wearing them. Are we unknowingly reducing the support our boobs need, or is it okay to keep wearing your old faithful?

TRAIL RUNNING IN THE BLEAK MIDWINTER

Sabrina explains how to run safely in the dark

Running mates

Because we run better together

THE EXPERTS

Lisa Jackson is a clinical hypnotherapist and the

Your questions answered

Training know-how for multi-day ultras, stretches for tight calves and how resistance training can boost your speed. Plus, tips on making new running friends

RACE

We take on some of the most epic races out there, because we want you to do the same!

DIARY

It’s that time of year when we start to look ahead, past the twinkly lights of Christmas and focus on the new year, with all its possibilities. What dreams do you have? A trip to the North Pole or a mini break in Norfolk? A 100- mile ultra or a 5K fancy dress? Whatever’s in store, make 2024 the year you run happy!

COURTNEY DAUWALTER

Courtney is the queen of ultras who’s proven there is no limit to what you can achieve. This year, she’s had phenomenal success with a triple win, securing her place in the history books forever

HORMONE MAPPING for runners

Tracking the highs and lows of your body’s chemical messengers means that you can work with your natural biological rhythm to get the most out of training

TALES FROM THE POD

Esther ran the marathon of dreams in New York City, while Holly was her chief support crew, providing hot dogs and coffee, and cheering her on…

COACH

Spring marathon prep || Marathon plan || How

“Eek! I’ve got a marathon place!”

If you’ve got a marathon coming up in 2024, NOW is the time to start your prep. Your future self will love you for it, we promise!

YOUR MARATHON TRAINING PLAN

Now’s the perfect time to start training for a spring marathon. This plan gives you time to build gradually, without risking injuries, and it allows for time off for any bumps in the road…

Beth Potter

HOW I TRAIN

KIT

Shoes || Clothes || Tech

DECEMBER KIT

NEW RELEASE SHOES

ESSENTIAL WARM TOPS

We’re looking for the perfect balance between style and substance, and we think we’ve done pretty well

ESSENTIAL WINTER RACE DAY OUTFITS

Cool co-ords for when the starting pistol fires

GROUP TEST JACKETS

Feast your eyes on a dozen run coats

ESSENTIAL SOCKS

The most under-rated part of a runner’s wardrobe

ESSENTIAL PACKS AND BELTS

BEST VALUE

Long -distance TEST

Tina is stilll shining bright in the Lumos hat

RUN TECH ACCESSORIES

The shelves are stacked with products that make your running life easier…

3 of the best apps

Technology can make fitness more affordable and accessible too

BOOTCAMP

Reader Awards 2023 || Full body workout ||

Women's Running READERS' CHOICE AWARDS 2023

A huge thanks to all of you who took part in this year’s Women’s Running Readers’ Choice Awards. Hundreds of you voted in 18 categories, including your favourite races, products, charities and people. And here are your worthy winners…

ASICS

WINTER CIRCUIT TRAINING

Working from home this winter, piling on more and more wool items in an attempt to get warm? Why not do a quick circuit to get the blood flowing instead? It’ll keep you strong and fit too!

TRX SUSPENSION TUCK

There are so many ways to work your core and build vital strength for running, but few are as effective as a suspended tuck. And the added bonus is that you’ll also be strengthening shoulders, arms and knees in the process

HARRIER TRAIL RUNNING

harrierrunfree.co.uk

Womens Running

womensrunning.co.uk/xmasdigital

SPORTSSHOES

SPORTSSHOES.COM

Womens Running

womensrunning.co.uk/xmas

Anthem

anthem.co.uk/christmas

RUNNING

nationalrunningshow.com

Womens Running

Womens Running

womensrunning.co.uk

Sweaty Betty

www.sweatybetty.com

GREATRUN

GREATRUN.ORG

dryrobe

dryrobe.com

Yeo Vally ORGANIC