Training Plans vs Training Advice Training Plans typically have prescribed runs and specific sessions, whilst Training Advice is more general giving pointers on training types, how to structure training and recovery etc. General Training Advice is applicable to a broad range of athletes, whereas a Training Plan is specific to one athlete, or a group[…]
I’ve had a few questions about heart rate and ‘training zones’ recently, so I thought I’d write a few words on the subject. Starting with the basics (biology scholars, doctors or physiologists: forgive the simplification to keep it brief!). Most endurance running uses the aerobic energy system, breaking down oxygen to produce energy. Oxygen is[…]
So what’s this mythical thing that coaches bang on about then? In my and plenty of other coaches opinion, recovery is the single most important aspect of training. That includes whether you are training for something specific or just ‘ticking along’ – when most people tend to forget about easy weeks and rest days. Why[…]
As our track sessions are incredibly popular, it’s important to make sure that everyone can enjoy the sessions and keep themselves and each other safe. Collisions between runners, especially when running at pace, can cause potentially serious injuries. Therefore, here’s some rules and best practices around track use that apply at any time, but especially[…]
We all know the theory at its basic level… we should warm up before we run. Simple, right? Well how come so many of us get it so wrong?! We (and I include myself in this) tend to focus so much on the actual run, session or workout, that often the most important part (the[…]
You might be considering taking part in one of the December challenges next month. A few that I’ve heard of are: 12 Runs of Christmas (several versions available including this one with 12 medals) Great December Accumulator 100km (or 100miles) to Christmas December Daily Dash The last one is a personal favourite of many MAC[…]
One of the biggest mistakes we all make is training too hard. That’s counter-intuitive, right? Slackers don’t win… Go hard or go home… Blood, sweat & tears (in that order) makes you a winner… All the mantras drilled into us by second rate US sports movies. Well, fact check… it’s rubbish! Balance Now I’m not[…]