https://www.sapphirerunningzone.com/blogsRSS for NodeThu, 02 Jan 2025 17:20:59 GMThttps://www.sapphirerunningzone.com/post/withdrawing-from-an-event6751d0a4638c2f3503bb2223Tue, 31 Dec 2024 15:54:46 GMTSapphire Running TeamWhen you train for a distance event things don't always go to plan. Your training might not progress as you hoped, or you might get injured. Whatever the reason there could come a point where you have to withdraw. If you have injury concerns you should consult with a medical practitioner before making the decision to withdraw, or to carry on training. Here we look at the process if you're training for a major event, like the London Marathon, and need to pull out.

]]>https://www.sapphirerunningzone.com/post/festive-fundraising676026ee70e1ddd03f690658Tue, 17 Dec 2024 10:47:17 GMTSapphire Running TeamFundraising always needs a focus. Running an event for a charity gives you the ultimate focus, but adding a festive element makes it more time sensitive and might be just what you need to ramp up the urgency. Festive doesn't just mean Christmas, Thanksgiving or Easter, it can mean any holiday or celebration that is 'special, colourful or exciting'. Here we'll focus on the all important period around December and January if you're running a marathon in the Spring, like London, Boston, Manchester or Brighton for charity.

]]>https://www.sapphirerunningzone.com/post/research-your-next-event-thoroughly-before-you-click-enter-now673b51ee60ac661a6a49f98aThu, 12 Dec 2024 14:26:38 GMTSapphire Running TeamNot all events are run on a flat course! That might sound like an obvious statement, but it's a very common assumption and one that catches out many thousands of runners every year. Before you enter an event do plenty of research and take into account course gradient and other issues like what time it starts, how early to you have to arrive beforehand, how far is it from where you can stay, what is the weather likely to be and how will you get there and back? There are lots of points to consider. Time spent planning is well worth it!

]]>https://www.sapphirerunningzone.com/post/your-long-run-bible65f06d7a23657dbb710eee12Sat, 07 Dec 2024 11:06:06 GMTSapphire Running TeamWhatever the length of your next distance event, whether it be a 5k or ultra marathon, the level of success that you have on race day will be driven to a large extent by your long run training. Get your long runs right and you're well on your way to having a memorable day, but get them wrong and it might be memorable for all the wrong reasons. In this post we'll give you some tips to make sure it's the former and not the latter!

]]>https://www.sapphirerunningzone.com/post/the-importance-of-setting-goals674344e2b98777e20443a0ceWed, 04 Dec 2024 14:12:33 GMTSapphire Running TeamWithout clearly defined goals, it becomes really difficult to maintain any sort of fitness programme over an extended period, whether the end game is running a distance event, like a marathon, or weight loss. Goals serve as a critical foundation for motivation and direction, providing all of us with a sense of purpose and that all important focus. Without this focus it is very easy to 'drift' and the motivation for regular exercise can disappear as quickly as it arrived.

]]>https://www.sapphirerunningzone.com/post/the-london-marathon-where-to-stay673b10b5c8e1b24cf5c4c6c6Mon, 18 Nov 2024 11:34:30 GMTSapphire Running TeamEvery April around 50,000 runners head to the Capital to take part in one of the biggest running events on the planet. Many of them live in London and the south east, so finding somewhere to stay isn't an issue, but for thousands of others, it is a major consideration. There is a runner from every postcode in the UK in this marathon and the majority need somewhere to stay. Where's best, the start, the finish, or whatever you can get?

]]>https://www.sapphirerunningzone.com/post/organising-a-running-event-the-financials66e3f0f96232a02615fb3a8aFri, 13 Sep 2024 08:36:07 GMTSapphire Running TeamWith ever increasing costs from their suppliers event organisers have inevitably had to increase their race entry fees. Many runners think these fees are too high, but there are so many elements to putting on an event and most of us don't really know what's involved or how the financials work.

]]>https://www.sapphirerunningzone.com/post/fancy-running-13-times-a-week65ef80c8e539e2b1b2d735d3Mon, 11 Mar 2024 22:21:52 GMTSapphire Running TeamBeing an elite runner means total dedication and a phenomenal amount of running. We have a fascinating interview with Daniel Mateiko who trains with the legend that is Eliud Kipchoge. Two runs a day and just one on Sunday..'30k easy' shows just what you need to do to become a runner that competes on the world stage. He has just won the RAK Half Marathon in the UAE, one of the fastest half marathons in the world. It's not hard to see why he's a winner when you watch this.

]]>https://www.sapphirerunningzone.com/post/paula-radcliffe-support-from-one-of-the-world-s-best65d74eb4b5f0b472e0353a03Mon, 04 Mar 2024 14:17:38 GMTSapphire Running TeamFrom 2003 to 2019 Paula Radcliffe was the fastest female marathon runner ever, with an incredible time of 2:15:25. She's a former world champion at the marathon, half marathon and cross country, won the London Marathon, 3 times, New York 3 times and won in Chicago. She is also a four time Olympian. Here she gives us some great tips, while chatting with another Olympian, Tim Hutchings, both for race day and during training.

]]>https://www.sapphirerunningzone.com/post/race-day-planning-everything-you-need-for-a-memorable-day6494634e828b9f3b0302bfe9Mon, 16 Oct 2023 15:10:24 GMTSapphire Running TeamMonths of preparation and you're on the start line feeling 100%. or are you? Did you get up too late, arrive too late, go to the wrong start wave? There are so many things to think about and if you get one of them wrong it can cause chaos. Planning for your big day is crucial. It's not hard, you just need to devote time to it.

]]>https://www.sapphirerunningzone.com/post/the-philadelphia-marathon-weekend-a-real-city-showcase64ebb97a4dd545cc53cd087dSun, 15 Oct 2023 21:04:57 GMTSapphire Running TeamFour events, from a full Marathon to a Children's Run and four challenges, including The Liberty Bell, this is Philadelphia's big running weekend, held every November and one of the biggest in the US. Fast and scenic courses weave past historic landmarks, through urban neighborhoods, and along Philadelphia's picturesque waterfronts.

]]>https://www.sapphirerunningzone.com/post/different-types-of-training-mix-it-up64cd068331f818cda74fe627Sun, 15 Oct 2023 14:18:06 GMTSapphire Running TeamTraining isn't all about pounding the same streets every day at the same pace. There are other options, although these can be more relevant as your training develops. In the first instance you should increase time on feet, but when you're ready you can mix it up with some hills, intervals and fartlek! Yep, we'll explain what that is. Remember to always stick to your training plan.

]]>https://www.sapphirerunningzone.com/post/acupuncture-an-another-approach-to-injury-treatment64a2cf7880c5fdb442256eceSun, 15 Oct 2023 13:43:51 GMTSapphire Running TeamIf you've never acupuncture before it is well worth investigating. Obviously not just anyone can start sticking needles all over your head and body so you'll need to visit a regulated healthcare professional. Many more physios now practise acupuncture than in previous years and rightly so. Research has shown it may be helpful for several pain conditions, including back, neck and knee pain and that it can increase energy levels.

]]>https://www.sapphirerunningzone.com/post/physios-very-very-important64a2cbaf6a8028075d691d19Sun, 15 Oct 2023 13:25:58 GMTSapphire Running TeamIf you've been running for a while there's a very good chance that you've already visited a physiotherapist, probably on more than one occasion. If you're new to the sport then be prepared. It's not necessarily a negative. Most of us will have an injury challenge and the vast majority of them can be overcome quickly. Maybe you should visit one before you get injured to help with prevention?

]]>https://www.sapphirerunningzone.com/post/yoga-for-runners-improve-your-flexibility64a2c5ae6a8028075d691ba2Sun, 15 Oct 2023 13:21:00 GMTSapphire Running TeamRunning is of course one of the best ways of getting and staying fit, but it can be tough on your body, especially your joints. One way to offset this is by taking up yoga. Not only can it counteract some of the stresses from running but it can also increase your flexibility and your posture. Here we'll explore how to get the most from yoga, the best type of yoga and how it can improve your recovery from your runs.

]]>https://www.sapphirerunningzone.com/post/race-strategy-get-it-right-on-the-day64cb9d9761ebfaeece77dfc7Sun, 15 Oct 2023 12:32:10 GMTSapphire Running TeamIt's really important that you have a race strategy in place before you get started and that you stick to it. Don't be influenced by anyone around you, either at the start or during the race. You must stick to your planned approach and don't deviate from it unless there are unforeseen circumstances. Be focused. This is your day and you need to be in control of. Here we give you some pointers on how you can make it all go to plan.

]]>https://www.sapphirerunningzone.com/post/looking-after-your-running-shoes64983186fd1fc2c42d560a83Sun, 15 Oct 2023 12:24:57 GMTSapphire Running TeamIf you're planning on training for a distance event the chances are you'll be spending a decent amount of money on a few pairs of running shoes. They aren't cheap, so why not take good care of them? Here we'll explore the best ways of prolonging their life. And that doesn't include putting them in the washing machine!

]]>https://www.sapphirerunningzone.com/post/event-etiquette-make-everyone-happy649865e1c1ab3920ea0c2e7cSat, 14 Oct 2023 16:21:32 GMTSapphire Running TeamWhen you have tens of thousands of runners running a major, 10k, half or full marathon it doesn't take many runners doing the wrong thing for the race to become more challenging for others than it needs to be. Yes, there is such a thing as etiquette in distance running and here we'll discuss the best ways to ensure you get as much as possible from your race and that those around you do the same.

]]>https://www.sapphirerunningzone.com/post/disney-world-marathon-fantasy-in-florida6491ce9ad0aac7680f8e1645Sat, 14 Oct 2023 16:09:20 GMTSapphire Running TeamAs soon as you step into a Disney park you know you're going to have a pretty special day. Add in a marathon and it will be even better. It all happens early but that what's make it even better. Fireworks to get you going and parks free of visitors as you run from one to another. This is one of those bucket list events. A must do.

]]>https://www.sapphirerunningzone.com/post/race-week-nutrition-getting-it-right-when-it-really-matters64945942a73d3944e33b2870Sat, 14 Oct 2023 14:31:44 GMTSapphire Running TeamAll the training in the world will count for nothing if you get your race day nutrition wrong. your build up to the big day itself is crucial and on the day itself you have to make sure you get it exactly right. That's why we train. It's not just to get your body ready it's also to test out approaches to race day itself. Here we'll go through some do's and don'ts, all based on experience!

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