Linda Todd: We’re virtually at the start line

Since January most of my training has been indoors. While it is usual for me to be on my cycling turbo trainer at this time of year I generally run outside all year round. This year I decided to try using the treadmill to progress my running. You see I can be a lazy runner. I have a tendency to set off at a very easy pace and then just stay there. Now that is fine for building up my endurance base but by staying too much in my easy comfort zone I am not improving my speed. By using the treadmill I am breaking my sessions down into shorter sets that focus on speed and cadence. Running indoors can be monotonous but having recently discovered Zwift Run, a free online virtual running community where you run with other people and have access to run plans, it can also be a fun way to train indoors. You need access to a treadmill, a footpod to attach to one of your trainers and a device (mobile or laptop) to run the app on. It has transformed my running and I am seeing pacing gains. Now when I run outside, the road feels easy in comparison and both my pace and cadence seem to be increasing. With under five weeks to go the Bath Half Marathon I have seen a few social media posts from people excited, but worried they are not feeling quite ready to run. To anyone that feels this way my advice is to keep training. Whatever you can do between now and race day will help. If you are not quite up at the mileage you hoped to be then try a run-walk-run strategy to safely increase your distance without injury. Come race day the huge crowds will boost you all the way around, just focus on moving forward and before you know it you will be across the finish and have a memory that lasts a lifetime. Good luck to everyone in the final weeks of training, keep going you are almost on the start line.