Where to start?

The very first place to start is in your mind. Every day I meet people who that say "I'd love to do a marathon or long distance road race but I can't run". It is important that your mind more than any other part of you is fit and up for the challenge.

It is a personal challenge for you to change your belief that you cannot run for longer than one minute and then step into a person who can run for 15 miles. That person is you. "Yes, I can do the maxi marathon"

Ease your self in

Now that you have a commitment to you personal growth as a runner, it is vital that you start slowly and build your stamina and strength at a steady pace. Always be aware that you want to finish the race with all body parts still intact and not spun out.

So for first time runners, just remember to take small steps, ease yourself in and enjoy your running

General Running Tips

we can never stretch too much yet all of us (including myself) don't stretch enough.

So start with a light jog, then a few gentle stretches and then after your run take 10 minutes to do a nice long deep stretch for your hamstrings (back of legs) thighs and lower back.

Don't run every day as this leads to overtraining and injury. On the days that you are not running why not try cycling or swimming, this will be of great benefit to your overall fitness

This is where we get all confused and almost neurotic about our food and when and what we eat. My suggestion is to eat balanced meals regularly and avoid high salt and high fat foods (no amount of running condones 2 big macs a week). Get your 5 portions of fruit and vegetables per day and try to focus on slow energy release wholegrain carbohydrates. We must remember that we need energy to train so fad diets restricting certain food groups will not be sufficient for you energy requirements. During training a balanced diet is the key

The area to hydration is an area where we all fall down, especially in Ireland as we don't always think of drinking water when we get so much of it falling on top of us from the sky!!

It is important to drink 3 litres a day when we are training as you burn more energy and this in turn uses up our water supply.

All our organs need hydration – so think to drink! Fill up a 2 litre bottle of water and sip steadily through the day and after a long run (over an hour) rehydrate with an isotonic drink like Lucozade sport and follow it up with water

Training Plans

The following training plans might not suit everybody and for absolute beginners to running, it is advised to do 4 weeks light training before starting the training plans.

Maxi Running Club Killarney

Local fitness expert and personal trainer Breda Barrett is starting a new Maxi running club in Killarney Co. Kerry.

It will be a fun and very social group which will meet 2 times a week for training runs in Killarney.

It is suited for all types of runner from the beginner to the more seasoned runner who wants a more social aspect to their training routine.

Last year Breda trained 15 first time runners to complete the race.

Contact Breda Barrett for more details on 086 1623103