Running tips and training resources

Selecting the right running shoes is crucial for comfort, injury prevention, and performance. Consider the following tips:

Get a gait analysis: Visit a specialty running store for a gait analysis. This involves seeing how you run to find your foot strike pattern (pronation).

Understand pronation: Pronation refers to the natural inward rolling motion of the foot during the running stride. There are three main types:

• Neutral Pronation: The foot rolls inward slightly, distributing impact evenly.
• Overpronation: The foot rolls inward excessively, potentially leading to overuse injuries.
• Supination (Underpronation): The foot rolls outward, placing extra stress on the outer edge of the foot.

Choose shoes accordingly: Based on your gait analysis and pronation type, select shoes with appropriate features such as cushioning, stability, and motion control.

Replace regularly: Running shoes lose cushioning and support over time. Replace them every 300-500 miles or when you notice signs of wear and tear.

By investing in the right shoes for your feet and running style, you can enhance comfort, reduce the risk of injuries, and optimise performance.

Joining a running club affiliated with England Athletics offers many benefits, including structured training sessions, social events, and access to experienced coaches. 

Here's how you can get involved:

Find a local club: Use the England Athletics club finder tool to locate a running club near you. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced runner, there's a club suited to your abilities and interests.

Structured training sessions: Many clubs offer regular training sessions led by qualified coaches. These sessions typically include interval training, hill repeats, long runs, and technique drills to help improve your speed, endurance, and running form.

Social events and community: Running clubs provide a supportive and inclusive community where you can meet like-minded individuals, make new friends, and share your passion for running. Participate in club socials, races, and other events to connect with fellow runners.

Access to resources: As a member of an England Athletics affiliated club, you'll have access to a range of resources, including coaching, training plans, and discounts on running gear and race entries.

Competitive opportunities: If you're interested in competitive running, joining a club opens opportunities to represent your club in local, regional, and national races.

Embarking on a running journey can be both exciting and challenging, having access to the right training resources can make all the difference. We've curated a collection of valuable tools, apps, communities, and services to support you on your path to success. These resources are designed to enhance your training experience, optimise your performance, and keep you motivated every step of the way. 

Running apps:

• Strava: Connect with millions of runners worldwide, track your runs, analyse performance metrics, and join challenges and virtual races. 
  Join the Macmillan group on Strava.
  
• Nike Run Club: Access guided runs with Nike coaches, and audio-guided workouts to help you reach your goals.

Social Communities:

Engage with running specific forums and enjoy a vibrant community; ask questions, share experiences, and seek advice on training, nutrition, gear, and more. Tune in to running related podcasts for expert advice, inspiring stories, and interviews with top athletes and coaches in the running world. Subscribe to YouTube Channels for instructional videos, training tips, and workouts you can follow along with at home.