We couldn’t have done it without…

ISSUE 174 || JUNE 2024

THE TEAM

SENIOR EDITOR Esther Newman SENIOR ART EDITOR Alex

Hello!

ISSUE 174 || JUNE 2024

LIFESTYLE

Headlines || People || Food || Kit || Health || Opinion

WORLD RECORDS FALL AT TCS LONDON MARATHON

2024 marked a bumper year with world-beating performances

DIRECT LINK BETWEEN EXERCISING AS A TEENAGER AND BETTER MENTAL WELLBEING LATER IN LIFE

A new study from Asics, led by Professor

ON THE OLYMPIC TRAIL

R unners from communities across the UK took

£600

The amount Brits spend on sports nutrition and

THIS MONTH’S AMAZING RUNNERS

Helen Obiri, from Kenya [pictured], won her second

This month we love...

FFOR PEPTIDE RE:BOND HAIR SERUM £28, fforhair.com Transform

NEW GEAR

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

HOW DO I FEEL AND STAY SAFE WHEN I’M OUT RUNNING ALONE?

When it comes to running alone, especially for women, safety should always be a priority. If you’ve ever wondered if there are things you can do to feel and stay safer, rest assured – there are several strategies you can implement right away, and some to consider for the future

HEALTH

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

3 OF THE BEST SKIN PROTECTORS

BEST FOR BRIGHTER SKIN NAYDAYA BODY BLITZ OIL

MYTH BUSTER

CAN YOU DRINK TOO MUCH WATER ON A HOT RUN?

Natasha Shishmanian

Runner, ex-golfer and mum, Natasha is not scared of taking on tough challenges

FUEL

The latest nutrition to nourish your body and fuel your running

EAT WELL

WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO KEEP MY HEALTHY

MEAL MATHS

Whizz the fruit + yoghurt together and top with nuts for a nutritious ice cream alternative

SMASHING THE FIRST HURDLES

LIFE COACH Laura Fountain is a running coach,

This month’s wise women

MAD WOMAN BRYONY GORDON £20, Headline The mental

Adductor strain

You’ve heard of the adductors but do you know what they do, how niggly strains can occur, and how you can prevent them?

Eastleigh 10K

After 20 years of running, Sally Watford finally broke the sub-50-minute mark for 10K, at the Eastleigh 10K in Hampshire

Events

TRAIL ESCAPE Not many trail marathons can offer

My fitness watch says I need to take a ‘rest day’, but I feel good. Do I really need to listen to what it says?

Some days, you need aprompt to lay off the training. And sometimes, the data falls in your favour and you are more than happy to take to the bath instead of the hills. But how seriously should you really be taking your watch’s advice on training load and recovery times?

Trail running SAFETY IN NUMBERS

How to be safe when running on trails

“IF I’VE BEEN OUT FOR A RUN MY PROBLEMS DON’T FEEL QUITE AS BIG ANYMORE”

Giovanna Fletcher

YOU CHOOSE

Women can find themselves forced to choose between running a marathon and planning for a family, navigating confusing and conflicting advice. One passionate runner shares her story and investigates further

TALES FROM THE POD

Esther and Holly took over the Big Apple and ran laps of Central Park in a women-only half marathon

FIRST AID FOR RUNNERS

Sometimes, we’re all guilty of striking out on a run without the proper forethought. Here’s our vital advice on what to do if you get injured or fall ill while out and about

Running mates

Because we run better together

Small steps back to confidence after a fall

Arunning fall shattered project manager Irene Beck’s confidence,

We hang out with Vicki Rennie

Vicki, from Kircaldy in Fife, works for Nourish, a family support centre, and loves to run for good mental health

LET’S RUN GIRLS

Inspiring women to lead healthier, happier and more

Your questions answered

Drinking coffee for performance gains, eating and running to lose weight, training for your first 5K, dressing to impress on and off the trails, a beetroot energy boost and why a red calf is a red f lag for DVT

BOSTON UK MARATHON

LINCOLNSHIRE

ROMSEY 5 MILE

We sent Tina Chantrey to this flat and fast course to test her fitness at the beginning of the year

DIARY

We’re not done with summer races yet, so most of these dates fall in July, August, September and October. Plenty of time to circle one, book it, lace up your running shoes and start training! See you on the start line…

JENNY TOUGH

ICON NO.66

COACH

Sessions || Half marathon plans || How I Train

How to get QUICK!

Specific (and simple) running sessions will freshen up your schedule and boost your fitness quicker than just running the same old paths

HALF MARATHON TRAINING PLANS

The summer is a glorious time to train for a race and then, once you’ve sweated out the hard miles, you can revel in lower temperatures come your autumn race day. We’ve got three plans to suit whatever your level

Fran Bungay

Fran won eight medals competing for the Great Britain age group team, including two European titles. In 2015, she won three consecutive Ironman 70.3 titles including the European Championship in Weisbaden (40-44) and was world ranked number one in her age group

KIT

Shoes || Clothes || Tech

NEW RELEASE SHOES

Putting your next trainers through their paces

GROUP TEST VESTS

Vest season is the best season

SPRING ESSENTIAL GILETS

For at least three out of four of our UK seasons, a gilet is ideal for keeping our core warm

YOGA & STRETCH SPRING ESSENTIALS

For mat work, you need trousers that allow full movement but don’t ride up or slip down

ESSENTIAL BRAS

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

ESSENTIAL SOCKS

Leaving the trainer-sock vibe this issue, we’re after a bit more coverage

TEST

Esther has found her dream top!

ESSENTIAL HEADPHONES

Thanks goodness the days of tangled wires are long gone!

3 of the best apps

Technology can make fitness more affordable and accessible too

BOOTCAMP

Running with poles || Strength workout || Perfect form

POLE POSITION

How to use running poles to boost your performance

STRONG BONES, STRONG BODY WORKOUT

Bulletproof your bones and your strength with a weight workout

RESISTANCE BAND HIP FLEXION

After a long run, it’s common to feel

Balance

First aid for runners || Q&A || Race reviews