Well, after much deliberation at Brooks HQ they have come up with a winner of £50 worth of Brooks Running Kit.

Like us, they didn’t find it easy but the caption which just pipped it was.

“Gordon leads the way in the cabinet’s

annual barn dance”

Congratulations to “Jon”, who wins some quality Brooks running kit. We will contact you in due course and get the gear sent out to you.

Well after months of not knowing much about it, or what purpose it actually served, I have decided to the start of the beginning of a new decade and get my myself twittified / twittered / twitted  – the terminology still eludes me.

After one too many emails asking when I was posting my next blog or article on the website, I figured a fitFAQS twitter account would save everyone time so they can see what updates, giveaways and competitions fitFAQS are running.

So, to keep up to speed on the progress and publication of my next book, new downloads and anything else that’s happening in the world of fitFAQS, why not follow us?

It’s that time of the year again, when aspiring London Marathon runners start finding out if they are lucky enough to have won a ballot place for the race in April.
By now, most of you would have heard if your application has been successful and for the lucky few who have managed to get a place – you are envied by thousands of runners, gutted that they have been rejected (again).

Of course all is not lost.

Unsuccessful applicants can still run for a charity and “pay” for their place by raising at least £1500, but this target is often very difficult for many people to meet and often puts runners off applying for a charity place – which is a shame. Most charities are incredibly obliging and have specialist teams to give you support, tips and advice on how best to fund raise and make the process of “paying” for your marathon place as easy as possible. Why not just give a charity close to your heart a call and see what they say – you never know!

As for you lucky few who have your ballot place, do not waste the opportunity and get training as soon as you can. You have the chance of a lifetime to fulfil what is probably a lifelong ambition to run the London Marathon and poor preparation can easily make you a statistic as one of the thousands of runners who don’t even reach the start line – let alone the finish line.

Even if you just start off with some very gentle 3-4 mile jogs with the occasional walking break, its best to get going right away to get your tendons and muscles used to pounding the pavements.
For more information on how to get your marathon preparations off to the best start, check out my book The Marathon and Half Marathon: A Training Guide.

If there was one dilemma which faces every runner when they first get into running it or if they are in training for their first ever endurance event, the question everyone wants to know is:

“What is the best brand of running shoe on the market?”

If I was given a pound every time ………..(you know the rest)

So, due to popular demand, to help you make the right choice, fitFAQS have used our years of running experience to give you some invaluable advice on how to make the right choice of running shoe.

Rule Number 1

When browsing the internet or looking in stores, try to resist falling for clever marketing and adverting tricks. The big 3 running companies – Asics, Adidas and Nike pour millions of pounds into advertising their brand hence the reason why, at the moment, they are all probably top of your shopping list. WAIT. There are lesser known running companies out there, such as Brooks, who manufacture far superior shoes but are drowned out by the financial muscle of the big boys.

Just because everywhere you look, all you see is a swish pair of Nikes or Adidas shoes, it doesn’t mean you should be seduced into buying them. They might suit a friend or the chick / bloke in the ad but it doesn’t mean that they will suit your running gait or running style.

So, before you go for the newest pair of Big Name Trainers, I’d strongly suggest you try on a number of different pairs so you are 100% sure that the trainers your fork out the best part of £80 for are comfortable, suit your feet and most importantly – are right for your running gait!

Rule Number 2

I apologise if this rule has a slightly sexist generalisation to it, but (ladies) try to resist going for a pair of running shoes based purely on their colour. The big 3 (Nike, Adidias and Asics) are genius at this trick and manufacture a range of average shoes in attractive colours knowing full well that the colour alone will seduce the lady runner into buying them.

So, as in rule 1, try on the shoes first and if they suit your running gait and they are your favourite colour – then lucky you.

Rule Number 3

If you are thinking of entering an endurance event such as a half marathon or full marathon, then it is likely that you’ll need 2 pairs of trainers to see you through your training. Therefore, it’s often a good idea to buy two pairs when you make the initial purchase (as you can often get a better deal).

But keep the receipt.

If, for whatever reason, the trainers are not working out for you, despite having your gait assessed you may need to re-evaluate your choice of running shoe and there is nothing worse than having a brand spanking new pair of trainers worth £80 which you can’t run in.

At the end of the day, choosing a pair of running shoes is a very personal choice and you have to go with a pair which suits your budget and your feet. Please avoid following the crowd as this often ends in disaster and can ruin you running preparations half way through your programme.

Finally, if you really want to know my opinion on the best running shoes you can buy then I’d have to go with Brooks.

Why?

They run. That’s what they do.

I’d rather invest my hard earned cash and health of my joints in a Company which specialise in running and were the original people to design and manufacture the running shoe technology which is now copied by all other companies.

To see the Brooks range click on the  logo below!

So, what are your trainers of choice and why?

Happy running

Of all the weeks in the long build up to a marathon, this  is the week  that the 35,000 runners hate the most.

Preparing your mind, body and soul to plod for 26.2 miles around the Capital is initially one hell of a daunting prospect, yet as time goes by and training becomes a routine rather than a chore, it can actaully become enjoyable and a part of life. Jump to the final week where training intensity should drop dramatially and runners can begin feel like aged animals – waiting to let loose on the streets of London.

Many runners in the final tapering stage of their running programme feel a number of emotions as race day looms -  ranging from anxiety to a general feeling of slugishness and lack of fitness making the prospect of tackling the 42km course and even more daunting prospect.

So what should you be doing if you are taking part in Sundays race and don’t know what to do with yourself?

Above all do not give in to your body’s demands and head out for a long or intense run. After months of training, your body and legs are currently protesting at not being used and will effectively be urging you take to the roads and be exercised.  By all means go out for a gentle 3 or 4 miler but do not fall for the belief that you are not fit enough for the challenge.  If you have trained properly (by reading The Marathon and Half Marathon: A Training Guide) then you will have the fitness to complete the course in the time you want and if you haven’t trained properly – well its too late now, so one extra training run isn’t going to make any difference.

So, if anyone reading this is taking on the London Marathon this Sunday please take it easy and put your feet up.

If any other runners have some tips they ahve followed in these anxious last days before D-day let us know!