February is National Heart awareness month, and its that time of year when everybody picks up their fitness routines and decides to get their heart pumping. My gym has definitely been busier than usual, with many clients asking for personal training to help them reach their goals. I love this time of year and alway feel really good getting into to intense training and living well! I started my marathon training plan this month and am feeling on track for the event on May 22nd in Edinburgh. David Daniels, an experienced marathon runner from Newcastle parkrun, devised the plan for me and top UK ultra runner Sharon Gayter looked it over and made a few amendments. With such expert training advice I should be prepared for the marathon; provided I stick to the training, which I have done so far. The plan consists of a day off on Mondays, with speed work on Tuesdays, a 5-8 mile run on a Wednesday, a steady run on Thursdays, Fridays to rest, then Saturdays are 3-4 miles, and a long run on Sundays, currently around 10 miles (1hr 30 mins ish), and increasing to 22 miles as the marathon draws closer.
Last night I did a fast running session, which I find really difficult. I'm used to running long distances but not so accustomed to short, faster runs. The session consisted of three 1 mile repeats, which means running a mile fast, then jogging until you get your breath back and recover, then repeating this another two times. The benefit of doing mile repeats is that it improves your running style and efficiency, and improves your fitness, speed, and stamina too. Incorporating a speed session into your training also allows for practise at overcoming both physical and mental discomfort, something which is important in long distance events such as a marathon. Having trained hard last night and really pushed myself I did a slower run this morning, running 3 miles into work (at 5:30am!), and then running a further 3 miles on the treadmill, which took around 55 minutes overall. Morning exercise really sets you up for the day and energises!
Many of you will have found out this week that you have a place in this year's Great North Run so why not come along and get into running or start your training with a completely free run, alongside 200 other runners, every Saturday at 9am in Exhibtion Park Jesmond. I am going to run my second Newcastle parkrun this Saturday and hopefully beat last months time. I will be able to track my progress online at http://www.parkrun.org.uk/newcastle/results/AthleteHistory.aspx?AthleteNumber=50288 and see how my times improve in the run up to the marathon. I'd definitely recommend Newcastle parkrun as a training tool for any event you might be working towards, or just for general fitness and a good laugh, and it is great to see your own online profile with a catalogue of your runs and volunteer contributions! Visit http://www.parkrun.com/ to sign up, print out your barcode, and come along and run. See you in the park!
Niyc xx
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