We couldn’t have done it without…

Emma Kirk-Odunubi Emma is a sports scientist and

Hello!

I often think it’s my job to be

LIFESTYLE

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GREAT SCOT!

We thought she couldn’t better her existing medal and record haul this year, but wait… there was still a title in the Great Scottish Run with her name on it!

2023 LONDON MARATHON BALLOT INCLUDES NON-BINARY OPTION

In a move towards improving diversity and inclusivity,

BRIGHTON IS UK AND IRELAND’S LEAST ACTIVE TOWN

H aving been revealed as the most inactive

This month’s amazing women

London: As the world watched on, and thousands

This month we love...

JOJOBA ULTIMATE YOUTH POTION £29.95, thejojoba company.co.uk

NEW GEAR

All the kit you need for the in-betweeny season

Run safely during my pregnancy?

Can you run while you’re pregnant, and how do you ensure you, and your baby stay happy and healthy?

3 OF THE BEST SKIN SAVIOURS

BODY GLIDE ANTI CHAFE BALM BEST FOR HAPPY

MYTH BUSTER

YOU SHOUL DOWN MULTIPLE PAIRS OFTRAINERS

Lynne Northcott

Lynne believes that running has the power to improve our mental health

3 OF THE BEST Plant-based energy boosters

For the love of leaves, legumes, nuts and seeds

THE BEST… DETOXIFYING FRUIT Lemon

Including lemon in your diet is a great

Vitl Energy Bar

This salted caramel flavoured bar is covered in

EAT WELL SHOULD I CUT SUGAR FROM MY FITNESS DIET?

There’s no getting away from the fact that

MEAL MATHS

Wrap cheesy pesto chicken breast in parma ham and pan fry. Serve with veggies for a protein-rich meal 

LIFE COACH

Laura Fountain is a running coach, a personal

Quietly bossing it as a run coach

When I was at school, I hated reading

This month’s wise women

WHERETHERE’S A HILL Sabrina Verjee £12.99, Vertebrate

INJURY CLINIC Achilles tendinopathy

Emma Kirk-Odununi explains how to combat this dreaded runners’ niggle. Although nothing will snap, twist, break or sprain, Achilles tendinopathy can be an injury that’s really hard to shift

Hastings Half Marathon

Sam Murphy is a runner, author and journalist. Her latest book Run Your Best Marathon came out in November 2022

Events

INFLATABLE 5K Need a crazy goal for next

Is it a good idea to add insoles into my trainers, to make them last longer?

Whether manufacturers advise you that your running shoes should last 300 or 500 miles, will adding insoles prolong their life?

The perfect Christmas gift FREE exclusive socks

when you subscribe to Women’s Running Plus *

“Running has changed my outlook on what gives me joy. It gives you all the dopamine hits that you get from a romantic par tner and there’s such value in that.”

Comedian Helen Thorn had an on-and-off relationship with running for many years until she needed it more than ever and it really came through for her. With glorious honesty, she tells us about her journey from heartbreak, booze and fags to having the fitness age of a 20-year-old – and how running is now her one true love

GOOD, BETTER, BEST.

GoodGym was set up in 2011 to connect running and doing good in local communities. We talk to founder Ivo Gormley about the gym-with-a-difference and its impact, and meet three GoodGymers to find out why they love it

“GoodGym took away my social anxiety ”

It sounds like a cliché but just visiting

“GoodGym was so supportive and welcoming ”

Caroline joined after recovering from injury

“I’ve made lots of friends ”

Sinead loves the environmental focus

MIZUNO

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BRAND IN FOCUS Monkey Sox

Not all socks are created equal. Monkey Sox creates beautifully designed, performance socks targeted at runners that we absolutely love, while raising funds and awareness for multiple sclerosis. How do they do it? Words Rachel Ifans

Christmas GIFT GUIDE

It’s time to reveal our pick of Christmas run gifts! This year, due to the cost of living and fuel crises, we’ve tried to cater for a bigger range of budgets. So come on, everyone, join in, nice and loud now… There’ll be much mistletoeing, and hearts will be glowing, when run kit is near… It’s the most wonderful time of the year!

Running mates Because we run better together

This month, we hear about active commuting, the

Running against the odds

Claire Greensit, 46, who runs a Montessori childcare business in Ripon, says she is living proof that running isn’t bad for your knees 

We hang out with Katy Taylor

Katy, 30, a running coach from North Yorkshire

CLUB OF THE MONTH

NEXT ISSUE HOW DO YOU PERSUADE YOURSELF TO

Your questions answered

Pregnancy fitness tips, the lowdown on going vegan and the perils of under-fuelling. Plus our pick of the best running gifts

UTMB

FRANCE, ITALY AND SWITZERLAND

GREAT NORTH RUN

Esther ran the Great North Run for the first ever time and had a blast

MARATHON WOMEN

The astonishing stories of the heroes who paved the way for us

DIARY

Run the world in 2023! Gradually, bit by nervous bit, 2022 has shown us that it’s possible to book and take part in run adventures in far-flung places again. Check out our A-B-C (Africa, Berlin and Canada) this issue, or stay closer to home… it’s up to you!

LADY MARY PETERS

Women’s Running celebrates the 50th anniversary of Lady Mary Peters’ Olympic gold medal in the pentathlon at the 1972 Munich games, the only gold medal achieved by a British athlete that year

COACH

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Everything you need to know about FOOT STRIKE

Is there an optimal way for your foot to land with each step while you run? The debate surrounding foot strike and the best way to land when you run is one that has rumbled on within the running world for decades. We’re here to bust the myths

TREADMILL TRAINING FOR EVERY DISTANCE

Think treadmills are for runners who don’t like the weather? Think again; as a means to an end, they’re a really useful training tool for anyone looking to up their distance and pace and can really help you hit those targets

Lisa Gawthorne

Lisa is a Team GB age group duathlete and England Masters runner, who loves to promote the positives of a vegan lifestyle

KIT

Shoes || Clothes || Tech Woments Running IMAGE

NEW RELEASE SHOES

Putting your next trainers through their paces

PLUS SIZE ESSENTIALS

Top-to-bottom style where we check for fit, comfort and wearability. We’ve got you covered

ESSENTIAL UNDERWEAR

Cotton comfies aren’t your friend on a run: it’s time to get technical with your undies

TEST

Geri loves her as-good-as-new Norvans

GROUP TEST JACKETS

A run coat is an investment, but one you’re unlikely to regret when stuck on a clifftop in a surprise storm

WINTER SAFETY ESSENTIALS

Winter brings its own set of challenges for our running: make sure you’re kitted out for the dark

ESSENTIAL NUTRITION

From fuelling your running to recovery afterwards, we’ve got you covered

ESSENTIAL HEADPHONES

From earbuds to bone conductors, if you need distraction on your runs, these are the newest releases on the block

3 of the best apps

Technology can make fitness more affordable and accessible too 

BOOTCAMP

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MIND GAMES

Why does your brain have such a big impact on your performance? We delve into the grey matter to find out

THE CALM MIND TOOLKIT

Four simple ways to keep calm and carry on running

Essential runners’ strong core workout

Your core controls your entire body when you run and by strengthening it, you generate more power and stability, which will lead to stronger, more efficient running style

Perfect form Clamshell

Channel your inner mollusc and make like a clamshell to combat hip pain and get stronger