We couldn’t have done it without…

ISSUE 173 || MAY 2024 Emma Kirk-Odunubi Emma

THE TEAM

SENIOR EDITOR Esther Newman SENIOR ART EDITOR Alex

MAY KIT

NEW RELEASE SHOES

GROUP TEST SHORTS

Time to dust off the pins and get some air circulating

ESSENTIAL T-SHIRTS

There’s nothing worse than overheating on the run, so kit yourself out for warm spring days

ESSENTIAL LEGGINGS

You don’t have to ditch the tights come spring, but you might need to find a lighter pair…

Long-distance TEST

Tina has made good use of the extra support for marathon training

Hello!

issue 173 || May 2024 Generally speaking, I

LIFESTYLE

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

HEADLINES

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

NEW GEAR

We’re in the mood to step things up. Banging tunes, streamlined pants, race-day shoes… Are you with us?

Improve my running through tai chi?

The slow movement art of tai chi probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when you think of complimentary exercises for running. However, its principles are useful when looking for performance boosts and improved posture

HEALTH

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

Sarah Williams

Sarah, a 48-year-old married mum of one who works in finance, discovered running at 42 and got addicted. She’s now an England Athletics Coach for Pound Hill Pounders and on a five-year run streak

FUEL

The latest nutrition to nourish your body and fuel your running

CHANNEL YOUR INNER CHILD

LIFE COACH Laura Fountain is a running coach,

IN JURY CLINIC Lower back pain

Running can exacerbate lower back pain that comes from sedentary work lives. It’s time to build strength and mobility

Mustang Trail Race

NEPAL

Events

RUN WISBOROUGH Held in the picturesque village of

I can hardly organise myself to do my weekly parkrun, but I’d love to set myself the challenge of an international city marathon. Am Imad to even think about this?

The question is not whether to do the marathon or not; it’s more about where to do it. Should you shoot for glory with a destination race or stick to home shores and keep things simple?

“I have my dog Pickle and she gets me out running and I love every step of it. If I hadn’t had Pickle, I don’t know if I’d be here now. Running might not save you but your dog might!”

Allie Bailey

BALANCE

Running and cancer || Q&A || Race reports

Running and cancer

We're used to hearing that rest is best but when it comes to cancer and its treatment, what if the opposite is true?

Running mates

Because we run better together

I’m an ultrarunner at age 63

Nursing assistant Jane Klückers, from Clapham, near Worthing, says reading WR made her believe an ultra was ‘completely possible’

Francine Kalenga

Francine, 29, is an early childhood development practioner and teacher

NO REGRETS RUNNING

This mixed-ability running group focuses on trail runs that explore the beautiful countryside around Bath

ARE YOU TOO OLD TO RUN? *

As the decades roll by, can your body stand the test of time? We discover what it takes to support yourself from the inside during each life stage

Your questions answered

Mental prep for tackling an ultra, what causes neck and shoulder pain, and how to stop feeling self-conscious when training in public. Plus, Fitbit benefits

7 VALLEYS ULTRA

Lake District

OUNDLE 20

Laura Fountain took on a rare 20-miler at an apt point in her marathon plan and it made a welcome change from solo training

DIARY

Race dates are leaking from summer into autumn so if you fancy training over the warmer months, now’s the time to start narrowing your race search. We’ve got the usual varied mix of levels, terrain, location and event type. And we’ve added in an all-new orienteering race event. See you on the start line!

FIONNUALA MCCORMACK

No.65

Are you training TOO HARD?

The tell-tale signs of when you’re training too hard, and how to hit the sweet spot

OBSTACLE RACE PLAN

If you’re looking for a new challenge to mix up your usual running routine and bring a bit of variety to your training, how about taking on a race where you don’t just run to the finish but you also climb, crawl and wade your way there? This is obstacle racing, and it’s a LOT of fun

Training for an obstacle race

The plan on the right involves running as

EIGHT-WEEK TRAINING PLAN

This plan is for runners who can already bust out a 5K a couple of times a week. If you are completely new to running, we’d advise you do the Couch to 5K plan or similar before embarking on this training regime. Most days are either a run or a workout but one of the runs per week combines the two and challenges your body with a workout when it’s already tired from a run

Revée Walcott-Nolan

Runner Revée, an On Athletics Club Europe athlete, was the British 1,500m champion in 2021 and represented Britain at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics 

ESSENTIAL HEADPHONES

Bangers, BPM, podcasts or audiobooks… it's up to you!

3 of the best apps

Technology can make fitness more affordable and accessible too

ARE RACES RUINING THE PLANET?

Is your love of running costing the earth? We investigate the environmental impact of training and how you can take steps to prioritise the planet

ULTIMATE ENDURANCE

Some of these moves may remind you of classic gym and PE classes at school. But don’t let that put you off; they are classics for a reason – because they work!