I don’t function very well on less than eight hours’ sleep...
IT’S been five years since Paula Radcliffe retired from competitive long-distance running, but she’s not hung up her trainers for good.
The 46-year-old mum-of-two still runs for around an hour a day – for mental health, as much as physical.
We caught up with Paula to chat health and wellness:
Apart from running, how else do you keep fit?
I DO some core stability work, some medicine ball work, and some weight training.
I try to incorporate specific strength exercises for my foot, because I’ve had issues with that. And squats.
What motivates you to keep fit now you don’t compete?
IT’S more about doing the things I enjoy now.
So, I enjoy running, I feel better after I’ve been running, it helps me to think more clearly, it helps me feel a bit more awake, more alive.
How many hours do you sleep?
WHEN I was training and racing, I would generally sleep nine to 10 hours at night, and then another one or two hours in the afternoon. Now, I don’t have anywhere near that! But I still don’t function very well if I have less than eight hours’ sleep.
How do you cope with stress?
GO FOR a run.
Do you meditate?
I THINK I do, because I call it meditating while I’m running, if I’m just thinking. I think you get a bit more oxygen to your brain and you’re away from all distractions and can focus your thoughts a bit better.
Any health aims for 2020?
JUST to keep on doing what I’m doing. Trying to use the opportunity I’ve got and the platform I have to help others.
■ Paula Radcliffe is backing a campaign by Asda Pharmacy to encourage asthma suffers to get the flu jab (free of charge for this at-risk group).