We couldn’t have done it without…

Emma Kirk-Odunubi Emma is a sports scientist and

Hello!

ISSUE 175 || JULY 2024

THE TEAM

SENIOR EDITOR Esther Newman SENIOR ART EDITOR Alex

LET’S GET OUT THERE!!

The results are in! Getting outside and being active is the best thing ever for your mental health

EXERCISE IMPROVES MENTAL WELLBEING

R esults from one of the largest studies

NEW GEAR

Brand new releases to make our Brand ne training just a little bit easier

EXERCISE SAFELY DURING THE PERIMENOPAUSE AND BEYOND?

Dr Louise Newson offers advice about exercising safely and enjoyably during your perimenopause and menopause

HEALTH

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

Sarah Boyd

Sarah, who has run since she was a child, now gets to run all over the world while working for Marathon Tours &Travel ( marathontours.com )

HERE COMES THE SUN, AND I SAY…

LIFE COACH Laura Fountain is a running coach,

INJURY CLINIC

Piriformis syndrome

MY BEST RACE

BRISTOL Bristol Half Marathon Briony May Williams, a

Events

KANGAROO ISLAND MARATHON, AUSTRALIA If you’re looking for

Do you really need to be on Strava to progress your training?

Strava is like Facebook for runners. Apart from being able to share endless pictures of cake, does the app help improve your running performance?

“SPONSORING AN ELITE ATHLETE TO GO AND WIN A RACE DOESN’T INTEREST ME AT ALL, BUT I LOVE TO HEAR ABOUT PEOPLE’S WINS AT AN INDIVIDUAL LEVEL”

Kate Parker

TALES FROM THE POD

Holly has been running without a plan, while Esther has rediscovered a love of do-anything running

What women want

Running the first She Ultra was emotional for Sophie Power, founder of SheRACES. She tells us all about the day and what it meant for women runners

Take a BREAK

There has never been such a diverse and exciting array of running retreats, holidays and events for you to try. With organisers committed to getting more women involved in running – especially off-road and in ultras – we’re finally in the unfamiliar position of not knowing which ones to choose. Whether you’re thinking of a getaway with family or friends, or are planning to travel solo this year, your weekend breaks or longer summer holidays can now include running – and you’ve the choice between staying in the UK or going futher afield. Here’s our pick of the crop for summer 2024

IN FOCUS HOKA SKYWARD X

The new HOKA Skyward X is a neutral shoe for all levels of runner that gives you a lightness and spring that is usually reserved for elites. We know – you want to know where the catch is, but honestly we haven’t found one yet!

Running mates

Because we run better together

Encouragement in the last few metres

Administrator Emma Sankey, 33, is a race-day volunteer,

Paula McIntosh

Paula, 54, is an accountant based in North

ATHENA LADIES RUNNING

This welcoming, supportive community based in St Albans has 180 members and is expanding online across the UK

Your questions answered

SUPPORT NETWORK

THE REAL SIMPLE HALF MARATHON

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

LEEDS HALF MARATHON

Emma Sturgess loved the spirit of the Leeds race, made iconic by the incredible friendship between Rob Burrow and Kevin Sinfield

DIARY

Our race selection takes you past some of the country’s most iconic sights, from Giant’s Causeway and Loch Ness to Greenwich Park and Hyde Park, as well as a tour of London’s literary history and Wales’ most gruelling peaks. We’ve also snuck in a couple on foreign shores. Too good to resist – see you at the start line!

LAVIAI AND LINA NIELSEN

British identical twins, Laviai and Lina have not let their MS diagnoses stop them from reaching elite level on the global stage

Train to run FAST & FAR

Turns out that running isn’t the only thing we should be doing. Stand by for instructions on how to use cross training to put a rocket up your training

INTERVALS FOR SHORTER RACES

Just before we kick off with our season of half and full marathon plans, we’re concentrating on shorter distances, and how to make the most of them

Lucy Scholz

Last year, Lucy set the solo course record for the 340-mile race from Los Angeles to Las Vegas (LALV), called The Speed Project

KIT

Shoes || Clothes || Tech

JULY KIT

NEW RELEASE SHOES

GROUP TEST SUMMER TRAILS

Sun’s out… for now! Kit to keep you dry whatever the weather

ESSENTIAL JACKETS

Different strokes for different folks… or should that be coats? Take your pick from this crop of cover-ups

ESSENTIAL SHORTS

We don’t want much apart from style, function, comfort and durability. Simple, right?

ESSENTIAL CROSS TRAINING KIT

Leave running behind for a bit – hike the hills or take to the high seas

ESSENTIAL BRAS

Which of this issue’s crop will stand up to the bounce test?

TEST

Rachel Ifans loves the featherlight feel of this gilet

ESSENTIAL TECH

Wonderful wizardry to make a runner's life better

BALANCE

Magic pills || 10-minute summer circuit Perfect form || Q&A || Race reviews

MAGIC PILLS

Feed your body with the nutrients it needs to help charge up your performance

10-MINUTE NO EQUIPMENT SUMMER CIRCUIT

Rejoice! The summer holidays are here! But as we all know, family commitments can put a crimp in your training schedule. Here’s a quick circuit which you can fit in any time and (almost) anywhere – no kit required

WEIGHTED SINGLE-LEG PIVOT

Want to boost balance, circulation, strength and stability in one natty move? Look no further than the pivot; you just need a weight, some poise and a lot of patience