Just run with it! SUB DECK FONT SUB DECK FONT
RUNNING is my passion but, at 44, I thought my marathon days were behind me!
Now the chance to run one in the great city of Manchester has tempted me back into training for another 26.2-mile adventure.
Here, as I prepare to join 32,000 others in the adidas Manchester Marathon on April 14, are my top 10 tips from a 20-year love affair with running…
1 Anyone can go running: When I was first roped into trying a half marathon I hated it. But the more my body got used to running, the more I enjoyed the sense of achievement, and appreciated doing something healthy.
2 Make it work around your life: As a dad-of-three I fit running into my life. If I want a quick half hour, I’ll incorporate it into the school pick-up. If I need to do a longer training run, I’ll make it part of my commute.
3 Don’t give everything up – enjoy it: I’ve generally continued eating and drinking mostly what I want ahead of races. Don’t go boozing the night before… but also don’t miss your best pal’s birthday the weekend before.
4 Don’t talk about it all the time: There’s nothing wrong with being proud of your achievements. But at the same time, not everyone wants to hear about your running all the time, especially people who don’t go running.
5 Get the right shoes: Go to a shop and get them to measure your gait to find the best shoes for your type of feet. Good shoes will last for many hundreds of miles, so it’s important to feel comfortable.
6 Mix it up a bit: Keep runs interesting by going to different places and trying different terrain. If there are woods, fields, a forest or a beach that are easy to get to, try running there.
7 Stick to plans, but listen to your body: Discipline is important. Even if you really don’t want to drag yourself out there, you’ll always feel better that you did. This shouldn’t be confused with quitting mid-run if you don’t feel right. Stopping is better than just carrying on and potentially causing an injury.
8 Learn what you enjoy mentally: I’ve always found mastering the mental side of running to be at least as important as the physical side. I used to like listening to music, but now I prefer taking in the sounds around me.
9 Use your hobby to travel: The promise of a city break, a trip to the seaside or to one of our national parks usually goes down well with the family. This time we’ll be going on an adventure by train to Manchester on the super-quick Avanti West Coast service from London (avanti westcoast.co.uk) and the kids can’t wait to have their own connecting room at the Premier Inn (premierinn.com).
10 Set some goals: Some people build their weekends around their local Parkrun – others work towards a marathon. My long-term goal was to run 100 different half-marathons, and after 20 years I completed it last month. Now, my sights are set on Manchester.
● See manchestermarathon. co.uk for more information about the adidas Manchester Marathon, which begins and ends at Old Trafford.