Hello!

ISSUE 170 || February 2024

We couldn’t have done it without…

Emma Kirk-Odunubi Emma is a sports scientist and

Masthead

THE TEAM SENIOR EDITOR Esther Newman SENIOR ART

HEADLINES

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

NEW GEAR

Whatever your active plans this year, we’ve got you covered…

USE A DIGITAL TWIN HEART TO TRAIN BETTER?

Two-time Olympian Des Linden, who recently set a new American master’s record in the marathon, was the inaugural recipient of a state-of-the-art digital twin heart. Is this medical advancement the future of running safely and well?

HEALTH

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

Pip Hare

British yachtswoman, sailing coach and public speaker Pip Hare relies on her running to maintain fitness for solo ocean racing

ALWAYS BETTER LATE THAN NEVER

Laura Fountain is a running coach, a personal

INJURY CLINIC

Plantar fasciitis

Chamonix Du Mont Blanc 10K

CHAMONIX

Events

© STEVE ASHWORTH / 13 VALLEYS ULTRA 13VALLEYSULTRA

Will cycling make me run more slowly?

Does the thought of developing large leg muscles put you off adding cycling into your weekly training schedule? Will it increase muscle mass and hinder your running performance?

"WHEN I DID 14 MILES FOR THE FIRST TIME, I CRIED, BECAUSE I COULDN’T BELIEVE I’D DONE IT!"

Anna Harding

ARE FITNESS APPS MAKING YOU ANXIOUS?

For many, they are an integral part of training, but are apps and wearable trackers causing more harm than good?

TALES FROM THE POD

Esther is reshaping her goals into something more manageable (and maybe more fun), while Holly is also doing a spot of reframing – it’s all about the joy!

THAT’S MY GOAL

Trail running

Brain games

New research on mice shows that running in midlife keeps adult-born brain cells alive and connected

Brain health in a nutshell

Dr Alice Penn’s golden rules for future-proofing your brain health

Running mates

Because we run better together

THE EXPERTS

Cross-country footwear, making time for strength training and tips on training and running solo. Plus, the best eco-friendly running brands

ADIDAS TERREX INFINITE TRAILS

Emma Harrison hears from a brave trio of Black Trail Runners who took on the highs and lows of this huge trail running festival in the Austrian Alps in autumn 2023. The verdict? Say hello to a lot of elevation!

WHATEVER IT TAKES

HYPNOSIS? ICE BATHS? NO BOOZE?

DIARY

January is but a page ripped off the calendar, screwed up and thrown in the bin. Somehow the world seems a bit brighter now that February is here, so why not sign yourself up to one of these races? See you on the start line!

SOPHIE POWER

Ultrarunner Sophie Power is not only a phenomenal endurance athlete, she is one of our sport’s most passionate and tireless advocates for equality for female runners

Running Jargon BUSTER

Sometimes, when you start googling a simple thing, you end up falling down a rabbit hole and resurfacing equally clueless. Fear not: when it’s about running, we have all the answers…

FIRST OR FASTER 10K

6-week training plan

Marie Cheng

HOW I TRAIN

ESSENTIAL WARM TOPS

For milder days when temperatures start to creep up again

ESSENTIAL LEGGINGS

We live for lovely leggings… here’s the latest bunch we’ve put through their paces

ESSENTIAL SOCKS

Sock drawer in need of some TLC? Chuck out the holey ones and invest in a new crop Long- distance

Long- distance

TEST

3 of the best apps

Technology can make fitness more affordable and accessible too

KIT

Shoes || Clothes || Tech

FEBRUARY KIT

NEW RELEASE SHOES

GROUP TEST JACKETS & GILETS

Load us up with bells and whistles please

ESSENTIAL TRAIL ACCESSORIES

Kit yourself out and get off the beaten track

ESSENTIAL MASSAGE GUNS

They might not replace a soothing hands-on massage by an expert, but these devices are super effective at loosening tight muscles

THE WORLD’S TOUGHEST MOUNTAIN RACE

The Dragon’s Back is the stuff of legends in the running world and so are those who take it on

NO MORE INJURIES

Whatever running plans you have for spring and summer 2024, now is a great time to bulletproof your body against impact and overuse injuries, as well as homing in on specific exercises that prevent common niggles

STABILITY BALL LEG CURL

This simple move is the perfect antidote to over-striding, and the cure for those hip, knee, ankle and foot injuries you get as a result