Women's Fitness April 2023

I was 20 when I ran my first marathon: the 2006 London Marathon. I’ll never forget how the morning nerves dissipated with a flurry of joy as I raced down The Mall to the blaring cheers. I’d never felt such an overwhelming sense of achievement, and it got me hooked on running. In the years that followed, I ran four more marathons (as well as numerous other events), cutting 47 minutes from my time of 3:53 to 3:06. I discovered a passion for exercise, met my talented runner husband, qualified as a personal trainer and became a fitness editor. So, to say that running is a topic that is close to my heart seems an understatement. That’s why it’s with such joy I present the Women’s Fitness Running Special issue…

Chris Wharton Chris Wharton is co-founder of Palm Rock Retreats (palmrockretreats. com) and has established himself as one of the world’s leading health and fitness trainers. Lucy Miller Lucy is an ex-national gymnast and qualified PT. She is also a nutritionist and life coach who loves nothing more than to go for a run or do a gym session. @lucycmiller Eve Boggenpoel Eve is a yoga teacher, counsellor and author. Her work is grounded in a deep appreciation of inner stillness as a pathway to transformation. @eveboggenpoel Pippa Campbell Pippa is a nutritionist and nutrigenomics practitioner, specialising in female health. Based in Jersey, she practices online and in person at London’s Harley Street. pippacampbellhealth.com Joanna Ebsworth A qualified Level 3 PT and fitness instructor, Jo has been combining her love…

STAR LETTER POSITIVE VIBES I loved the article Self-love, actually, in your February 2023 issue. It really hit home with me, especially the points on sleep, valuing yourself and developing self compassion. I’ve found that following a few of the tips has really helped me to approach each day with a mindset that invites positive energy rather than negative. I’m prioritising sleep, learning to say no more often, letting go of guilt and pushing myself as much as I can. One tip I have is that sometimes following this advice, even when you don’t feel like it, actually helps – sometimes you’ve got to fake it till you feel it! I’m looking forward to a more compassionate, healthy and fulfilling 2023. Arnavaz Arnavaz wins the dynamiX star sports bra from…

Spring fresh Enjoy a stunning running experience wearing the new Roxy x Mizuno Active collection. Combining Roxy’s surf spirit with Mizuno’s acclaimed Japanese sporting expertise, the collab delivers two head-to-toe outfits for you to wear, including matching trainers in the form of Mizuno’s bestselling Wave Rider 26 running shoe. Suitable for roads and trails, the range is available in two colourways – warm pink and coral, and cool turquoise – and includes leggings, shorts, bras, tops and hoodies to take you from beachside sprints to park runs. Prices start from £35; available from roxy-uk.co.uk BUY THIS… Into the blue Don’t have the space for a home gym? Looking for neutral fitness equipment that blends in beautifully with your décor? Fear not! British indoor bike brand Apex Rides has added a…

‘You’ll be overwhelmed with pride when you cross the finish line. I just love it’ For many people, the idea of running the London Marathon even once is the stuff of bucket-list dreams. But when radio presenter and podcast host Jenni Falconer takes to its starting line on April 23, it will, in fact, be her ninth time completing the gruelling 26.2-mile race – and she couldn’t be more excited. ‘It’s possibly the most iconic, most incredible race ever,’ the 47-year-old says of the famous event. ‘It’s got an electricity about it, even if you’ve done it several times before. The camaraderie amongst the runners is very special, and the noise from the crowds is so amazing – it’s almost like a blazing cacophony that carries you along. There’s something…

TRAINING TIPS Q What are the best strength moves for runners, and how should we do them? Joey Bull says: ‘Running is basically jumping from one leg to the other, so stability needs to be in place. To cater for the endurance, strength and power that running can require, the runner would benefit most from going through training phases that cover: first, a three- to four-week endurance phase of high repetitions of 30 reps; second, a three- to four-week strength phase of 12 to 15 repetitions of each exercise with weights, meaning they are fatigued by the last couple of reps; and third, a three- to four-week plyometric phase (leaps, jumps and bounds) for improved speed, power and reactivity. ‘The key exercises for the nine- to 12-week window would be…