The Running Review

Running games

Someone recently showed me an ad for a pervasive game Nike were running in London. It was a pretty transparent marketing gig, but it looked kind of fun and I wondered what the possibilities would be for making crowd-sourced versions if any runners are interested in playing!

The Nike game worked a bit like this: a number of phone boxes were set up in various places across London. Players would sign up on a website, get their own personal login More

Rest and Relax

I have a pretty strict running schedule that I follow to make sure I hit my weekly distance target. Not only do I get a great high from the exercise endorphins, but when I manage to hit my target, despite pressures at work and home, it makes me feel great for the whole of the next week! Part of the schedule obviously involves rest days, which are really important whatever type of exercise you enjoy. Your body needs time to recover when you’ve been pushing it hard. Not taking the time to recover can increase the risk of injuries and strains. Plus, a day off here and there can be seen as a treat.

I usually run two days followed by a rest and I always try and arrange something fun to do on the off days; mainly so I don’t miss the running too much, but it also helps keep that slot in my day free, in case I need to alter my schedule! Sometimes I’ll splash out on a big treat, like arranging a massage. Other times I might just arrange to meet a friend for coffee.

Try and keep your schedule going, no matter what else is going on in your life. It’s much easier to follow an exercise programme if you stick to the rules and set yourself targets. I even managed to keep running last year when I went on ski holiday to Europe – thought I wouldn’t recommend running on snow! I tried it once and then decided to stick to the treadmill at our hotel. I didn’t feel too guilty, though, as I was getting plenty of fresh air and exercise on the slopes. And I discovered that my running had set my body up perfectly for cross country skiing. If I lived somewhere snowy, that would definitely replace running as my true exercise love!

Christmas Shopping

Christmas isn’t that far away now, at least not if you believe the TV adverts that are already appearing! So it might be time to start dropping some hints about what I want to be unwrapping with glee on Christmas morning–

There are some great running gadgets on the market at the moment, any of which would make my early morning jobs a more pleasant experience, but I have to say number one on my list would definitely be a new running watch. My current one is fine – after all it does the job it’s supposed to do, but nothing more. As a bit of a gadget freak I’d like a watch that has a few extra bells and whistles. The Timex Ironman models are all great – they look good and most have lap time capabilities. A couple of the top of the range ones even have a pedometer, which I’ve never used when running, but there’s a first time for everything! I would mind a gps running watch though.

The other gadget I desperately need is a new arm band for my ipod. I used to have one of the smaller models, but was given a new bigger one for my birthday which has been bouncing around in my pocket on every run since. I’m sure all the jiggling up and down can’t be doing it much good. I guess while we’re on the subject of ipods, a new set of headphones would be a good idea. I’ve never had a set of those specialised sports headphones that promise to stay nice and secure in your ears and it would be good to get through one job without nearly tripping over the dangling wire of my regular ipod ones!

It’s not necessarily a gadget, but I could definitely do with some new tunes for Christmas too. Much as I love my jogging, I can’t do it without my music and the current playlist is getting a bit repetitive! Remember, present buyers; plenty of upbeat stuff with guitars and a catchy chorus.

Why Jogging Will Put A Smile On Your Face

I recently got a garmin running watch for my birthday and it got me back into running again. So, I want to talk to you about why jogging is good for you and makes you feel far happier than just sitting around all day at work wondering what kind of pizza you will eat when you get back home and…oh, I don’t know, sit back down on your backside, again:
1) It puts you in a good mood when you More

Why You Should Run

I was never good at running at school. I blamed it on the P.E. class I was in: the class I was in was inhabited by girls and boys that wore large mens clothing who had muscles in their legs that worked really well without them having to do a thing, it seemed; the kind of pupils who were good at everything, there wasn’t one thing they were bad at. How was a weedy little lad supposed to compete with More

Run natural – 10 ways to change up that run

Running is fantastic fun and great exercise. We can however shake it up and see both mental and physical benefits. Try these 10 ideas:

1. Open your mind to doing more than running. A lot of runners find that they literally can’t run off of tarmac, or stop mid-run, as it disturbs their rythm. This is what we want – let’s do it.

2. Run off the beaten track. Through the woods, meadow or down by the river. It is not only beautiful but it will start to challenge you with dips, curves and uneven ground forcing you to use additional muscles and therefore expanding your benefits.

3. Sprint barefoot! On the grass, take off those newton running shoes and add in a few sprints. Shorten your step and become one with nature. Sprinting can have major fat loss benefits.

4. Jump over things. Field of hay bales? Get in there and start clambering. Not only is it fun but it will work up quite a sweat.

5. Find a log and do some step ups. You do them in the gym but here it is so much better. Log sizes vary, step heights change and the scenery is so much nicer.

6. See that small log… pick it up and press it above your head a dozen times. Your shoulders and arms will love you for it!

7. Hop. Find a big log, place you hands on it and hop over. Repeat for a dozen each side. Feel those sides warming up?

8. Squat! Nothing works the core like squatting. Get a small log on your shoulders and keeping your backtight squat down and return. A dozen of them will work you all over like you won’t believe.

9. Throw something. There must be a fair sized stone around. Pick it up and practise your shot putt. Your arms will be glowing in no time.

10. Try some pulls ups. You pass enough trees so why not grab a branch and pull yourself up.

Keep your mind open to what is around you and what you can use to make an enjoyable experience even better and even more physically rewarding. Try it… it may put an even bigger smile on your face.

The Good Doctor

When I first started jogging I genuinely thought there was something wrong with my heart, so I booked myself in with the doctor.

“So why are you here today to see me?” said this man in the white coat working his locum doctor job, “I am sorry but I can’t prescribe anything for your being over-weight, you need nothing more than simple exercise.”

I looked down, and in that moment all my self-esteem – built up over months of More

Nice surprise!

Isn’t it nice when you run further, or faster than you had expected?

My bike was stolen recently, snipped straight through the lock, so in spite I decided to run the 5 1/2 miles to work. I allowed myself plenty of time for the run (I’d anticipated just over an hour) and to have a shower at work to hose down after what would inevitably be a sweaty affair, regardless of how fast I ran!

With all this in mind, More

Spice It Up!

Jogging is boring, right? I’ve lost count of the amount of times I’ve heard that. But it doesn’t have to be! There are hundreds of ways to make your daily / weekly jog that much more interesting. Here are a few things you can do to spice it up.

1) Jog to music. There’s nothing better than running along and singing your head off to your favourite stuff. Just make sure you don’t listen to too fast-paced music. This will More

Be Sure To Stretch

Many people are put off from jogging after they pull a muscle, or stress their ligaments. The key, as with anything intensely physical, is to prepare properly before you start jogging, start by buying some comfortable and quality running clothing. And don’t think that just because you are jogging slowly you are exempt from the same rule as the guy in the park who has been jogging for years and regularly laps you. Everybody needs to stretch, even the More