All Entries in the "Improve" Category

Race Preparation Part 2

To be successful — which means running to the limit of your particular ability within the constraints imposed by your environment, including work, study, family responsibilities, or all three — you must follow certain rules in both training and racing. These rules ensure that the time you spend in training is not wasted and that it produces your best possible result.

A Simple 6 Step Stretching Routine

This six step – stretch routine will keep you flexible in all your main running muscles. Follow it after every run, or once or twice a week – it depends on how naturally flexible you are.
A few simple rules to remember:

Do not stretch cold muscles. It is far better to stretch after a run than [...]

Race Preparation

One of the attractions of running is that it is possible to prepare properly for a race and be fairly certain of the outcome. Chance plays only a small role in running; what happens is predictable on the basis of the runner’s physical endowment, recent race history, and training history.

Home Exercises For Your Core – Part 2

Did you know that your core is where all movement in your body originates? Core exercises are an important part of overall fitness training that, except for the occasional sit-up or crunch, are often neglected.
For these exercises you will need a Stability Ball. These are available at most sports retailers and Department Store and are [...]

An Introduction to Periodisation

Runners Training Cycles.
To really enjoy your running you need to have a planned structure in place. This article sets out the basics of Periodisation with more in depth articles to follow.
A training cycle consists of 3 phases:
SHOCK: this usually lasts for 1 – 2 weeks during the beginning of training. It is characterised by sore [...]

Home Exercises For Your Core – Part 1

Did you know that your core is where all movement in your body originates? Core exercises are an important part of overall fitness training that, except for the occasional sit-up or crunch, are often neglected.
Understanding your core
Your body’s core — the area around your trunk and pelvis — is where your center of gravity is [...]

Want to Know The Key to Training Success?

Athletes love to train. But in order for the body to adapt it must have a period of recovery. This is not a new concept; it is a cornerstone of everything coaches and athletes should be trying to achieve. To understand the significance of recovery, you need to understand the fundamental principles of progressive overload.

How To Improve Your 10k Performance.

The arrival of spring no doubt means you’ll be running 10-K races more frequently. You’d like to do as well as possible, but trimming your 10-K times requires a smart, systematic approach to training, not just a hodgepodge of interval sessions and longer runs.

Treadmill Running

If the dark nights and the weather are causing you real problems why not take a look at treadmill running. In this series of articles we’ll be looking at the advantages and disadvantages as well as some training tips to help you along.

Nike Town Runners Club

Nike Town Runners Club – all runs leave from the ground floor of Nike Town, London at 6.30pm on Tuesdays, and there is also a run especially for women which takes place every Monday.

What About The Usual Stretching Exercises – Part 3

Please perform the following exercises, in order, from a standing position, remembering to carry out all movements in a smooth, continuous manner, without stopping or jerking:
I. UPPER BODY MOBILITY
A. ARM SWINGS (Two movement)
1. Overhead/Down and Back – Swing both arms continuously to an overhead position and then forward, down, and backwards. Repeat for six to [...]

What About The Usual Stretching Exercises – Part 2

What you do just before your workout begins can have a big impact on what you are able to do during your workout. Many athletes prepare for a training session by carrying out some routine stretching exercises, but it’s important to remember that stretching helps to improve your static (non-moving) flexibility and may not do [...]

Beating The Boredom Factor

Most serious athletes never complain about their training routine being boring. There are two good reasons for this. The first is that the training has a purpose –to improve performance –and athletes accept that improvements will not