JUGGLING A JOB WITH THE DEMANDS OF TRAINING IS NEVER EASY. ANNA BONIFACE REPORTS ON THE PRESSURES FACED BY ATHLETES
Friday February 5, 2016: 77 days to go until the marathon
“I’M ALREADY late rushing off the wards to get my handover for the weekend. Friday afternoons are always manic on the acute assessment unit of the specialist respiratory physiotherapy ward where I work. I’ve not had lunch. I normally stay to chat but I need to hurry off. I’m on-call Sunday night, so tonight is the only time I can fit my long run in.
“I’m only halfway through my 10-day week but I motivate myself to get my trainers on for the second run of the day. I run an uninspired 16 miles along the A40. My bag is heavy and my legs are tired from my track session last night. I can’t break 8-min mile pace. I manage 30 minutes of conditioning in the gym before running to the tube to go home. I’ve run 21 miles today. I eat my dinner and go to bed, hoping the weekend won’t be too busy.”
WEEKS like this weren’t unusual leading up to my first marathon in 2016. Running was taking up more and more of my time since I made the decision to increase my mileage to step up to the longer distances.
Two years ago I would finish somewhere in the middle of the pack at cross country races and my fastest park run was outside 20 minutes. But after 18 months of dedicating my life to running, I found myself running 2:45 on my debut marathon.
Bu hikaye Athletics Weekly dergisinin November 16, 2017 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Athletics Weekly dergisinin November 16, 2017 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Carbon Footprint
You'd have had to have been running on a different planet to miss all the recent debate about carbon-plated shoes. The talk of bans and performance enhancement has been so widespread that even non-runners are asking their running friends about the potentially magical footwear.
Trail time
WHEN looking for a trail or off-road running shoe, it’s often all about the grip. However, given that no two paths are the same, careful consideration is required. What’s the terrain like where you’ll wear the shoes the most? If you’ll be negotiating soft, wet and muddy conditions then look for deeper lugs. For tackling gravel tracks and forest trails then more evenly spaced lugs will work better. When it comes to cushioning, consider how hard the ground will be; if it’s soft then you’ll be fine in low-profile shoes, but on those firmer tracks reasonable cushioning will be called for.
Stay neutral
EVOLVING every year, if not month, neutral cushioned shoes are seeing developments in cushioning materials and dynamics at a pace which is nothing short of astonishing. The latest models feature new polymers in the midsoles to give them a cushioned feel while at the same time keeping their weight to a minimum. Give them a spin and choose the most comfortable for mile after mile of shock absorbing running.
Support network
WHEN it comes to ‘over-pronation’, a common question is ‘how much is over?’. With no hard and fast rules, it’s best to choose a shoe that instinctively feels right. Gait analysis can often assist in helping you make this choice and your specialist running store is always a good place to start if in doubt. To help you make that choice, here’s a selection of some of the best ‘support’ shoes around.
Need for speed
THE racing shoe segment of the market is becoming somewhat split. This is partially due to the rise of carbon-plated footwear but also the fact that many shoes are becoming much lighter. Here we take a look at some of the leading contenders to toe the line in.
Gadget show
WITH technological products to enhance every area of life, running is now no different. From headphones to treadmills, the devices to aid performance and recovery are endless. Here we take a look at some of the latest gadgets and gizmos to enhance your training.
What's in a shoe?
We bust some of the jargon around footwear
How To Prime Your Immunity
Taking steps to shore your body’s defences has never been more important. Here’s how to do it, says Peta Bee
English Schools Survival At Stake
Covid-19 could lead to ESAA losing thousands this summer
Covid-19: Athletics Events Are Wiped Out
Unprecedented calendar changes due to Covid-19
