Housebound by the weather

Well, what a couple of weeks we have had in the UK and especially here in Scotland. Snow, snow and more snow with temps. at up to -20 c has not been great for trying to maintain any training schedule. I should have been looking forward to the BUPA Great Winter Run in Edinburgh on the 8th Jan. but now will only be an onlooker. This is where a trip to the local sports centre is necessary to get any training done. That is providing you can get out from home and make it to any nearby. I have never liked treadmill running, but it is better that not doing any running. Hopefully a great thaw will come and melt everything away, although with outside temp right now of about -8 c that does not look likely.

Is Training a Chore

Its got to be done. You will never achieve anything if you do not put in the work necessary. Training involves getting out and getting the miles in. How you do this will depend on many factors and the most important will be what your goal or target is. If it is to be a fun runner and complete the odd race then a relaxed schedule of running will do fine up to a point. If you want to be competitive then a more strenuous, targeted approach will be necessary. This will involve training up to 5 or 6 times per week and cover various elements of running ie. short runs, long runs, speed work, hill work etc.
No matter what level you are at you should try and look on it as an enjoyable experience - it will not always seem that way, but if you remain focused and keep to the programme then you will get the results you want and the satisfaction of achieving something worthwhile. The main thing is - stick with it......

Getting back on the Road

Well, its been a long summer ?? and I finally feel as if I am in good enough shape to get back into some training. I have begun by doing some easy 3-4 mile walks and this has been enjoyable. Next step is to try and run a mile or two and see how that feels. It is funny how the mental thing affects what you actually do. Often you feel like doing something, but something in your mind says no so you end up not doing anything. Overcoming this can be tough but if the determination to run wins through then you find that you end up actually going out for a run and accomplishing something. Watch this space for the next update....

Run the Hills

A lot of runners, particularly those new to running are a bit scared to tackle any kind of hill running. Although this is understandable, it must not be a thing that is shied away from. Every runner will come up against some hills if they are to participate in road races.

The way I have looked at it is to see every incline as a challenge, a thing to be conquered and more often than not this helps greatly in being able to run up the hills. It is partly a mental thing and if you let your mind control things it will be saying a lot of negative things to you as you approach any inclines. At that time it is vital to come in with the positive and ensure that you see the hill as a thing to be conquered, not a thing that conquers. This should help greatly as you progress in your running.
Including hill work as part of any training progam is vital if you are to succeed in the personal challenges that racing brings. Do not be put off by hills, run them and see the benefits in your overall training/racing programs.