Meet our Lucozade Sport Super Six
Our Virgin London Marathon contenders are heading into the ‘monster month’ full of determination and enthusiasm for the miles ahead
Last month, we launched a nationwide search for six Virgin London Marathon hopefuls, in partnership with Lucozade Sport. Now, we're delighted to introduce the lucky winners (and their mentors) and invite you tojoin us for the journey.
From now until April 25, they'll be recording all their training and highsand lows live in the forums - stay tuned for stacks of training and nutrition tips from our panel of experts (whatever your running goals) as well as a unique - and interactive - insight into the demands of marathon training.
Meet The Team | Meet The Experts | Get Involved
MEET THE TEAM
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Christina (aka just back from a run)
Target Time: sub-3:00
Christina says: I’ve taken a turn for the better – no more hobbling!
Now I need to regain the fitness I’ve lost and put in plenty of consistent runs from now until the marathon.
Paul says: Christina hasn't lost much fitness thanks to all the cross-training she did while injured, and she's had a good week of training. Dare I say we are back on track?! (Updated March 5)
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Richard (aka Matchstick Man)
Target Time: sub-3:15
Richard says: The day in-day out repetition of my training and my current level of mileage are both proving a big success – I just need to make sure it stays this way!
Liz says: Consistency of training is key to a successful marathon and Richard has stayed right on top of his training. If he keeps it up, his 3:15 target could well be bettered. (Updated March 5)
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Andy (aka AndyV)
Target Time: sub-4:00
Andy says: Happy days – I’m back running!
Now I aim to do all I can to get to the start line and hope I have luck on my side...
Steve says: Andy was very patient and sensible when dealing with his injury. Now he's back, if he stays healthy and maintains his drive and enthusiasm, a sub-4:00 finish should be a certainty. (Updated March 5)
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Vicky (aka Hashette)
Target Time: sub-4:30
Vicky says: The last couple of weeks have been such a rollercoaster – good runs some days, pain on others. We’ve pretty much run out of ice cubes and frozen peas at home!
Liz says: The marathon journey is rarely straightforward and there are times when a refocus is necessary. Vicky is determined to get to the finish line and we'll do everything possible to help her achieve this. (Updated March 5)
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Kim (aka Evil Pixie)
Target Time: sub-5:00
Kim says: After a nasty bug, I’ve slipped straight back into the plan, and hopefully it feels like normal service has resumed – I even enjoyed a speedwork session!
Steve says: Kim has made up for her missed sessions in style, and I remain convinced that she is well on course for her greatest ever marathon.
Read more |
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Lucy (aka spinkletoes)
Target Time: sub-5:30
Lucy says:
I'm still chuffed after an ace parkrun performance - not only did I shave six whole seconds off my time, I also breezed past various people on the way! Now I'm just hoping the weather brightens up...
Paul says: A clean bill of health at last for Lucy, and she's back on track with her long runs. Both Christina and Lucy have suffered serious setbacks over the last month, but have shown their true spirit by bouncing back stronger! (Updated March 5)
Read more |
On December 5, all six winners travelled to London to meet and run with their mentors, get advice from the Lucozade Sport science team and be fitted out in their new kit. Find out what they had to say about being selected and the challenge ahead in this exclusive video of the meet-and-greet seminar.
MEET THE EXPERTS
 | Steve Smythe
Steve worked at Runner's World for 10 years and took over the marathon schedules from Bruce Tulloh. Steve has run more than 60 marathons (26 Londons) and as well as holding a PB of 2:29, he has also won a British marathon title in his age group. As far as his coaching record goes - he's helped one runner to British international level over the marathon distance and another to a British age-group record. |
 | Liz Yelling
Liz has been competing as a top international athlete for more than 15 years. In 2006, she won the Bronze medal in the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne and she has twice represented Great Britain in the Olympics (Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008). In 2007, she also won the British Half-Marathon and Marathon titles, and is a Lucozade Sport Running Ambassador. |
 | Paul Evans
Paul was a finalist in the 10,000m in both the Barcelona Olympics in 1992 and Atlanta Olympics in 1996. He then went on to win the Chicago Marathon in 1996 with a career best of 2:08:51 - a time that, to this day, consolidates his place in the UK Marathon All Time Top 4. Paul is a UKA Level 4 Performance Coach and now works as an Athletics Development Officer for Active Norfolk. |
 | Emma Kingzett (Lucozade Sport Sport Scientist)
Emma studied Sport and Exercise Science at Loughborough University and has a MSc in Physical Activity and Health. Emma is also running the Virgin London Marathon 2010. |
 | Gareth Turner (Lucozade Sport Sport Scientist)
Gareth studied and gained a Masters at the University of Brighton. A keen sportsman himself, Gareth also plays rugby and is a regular runner. |
GET INVOLVED
Wondering how to juggle your own 2010 marathon preparations? Don't struggle alone: pop into the forums and join one of our team's training threads. We promise you'll be warmly welcomed, and our forums are the ideal place to meet like-minded runners, exchange training tips and find encouragement when the going gets tough.
You can also download the schedules that they'll be using as a basis for their marathon preparations. Following a programme will help you build your fitness progressively and is a great way to know you're on a tried-and-tested route to reaching your race-day goal.
Don't forget to sign up to our free, weekly marathon newsletter too -your chance to have day-by-day training sessions, nutrition tips and motivational pep talks delivered straight to your inbox every Friday from December until April.
Of course, you don't need to be targeting a Spring marathon to make the most of everything we have planned for our team over the next few months. They'll be racing across a variety of distances between now and race day so there promises to be stacks of training and nutrition advice available whatever your 2010 running goals.
Quiz The Experts
Although our mentoring team will be focusing their attentions on the team when they come on board in January, they'll also be doing their best to answer your questions too - don't be afraid to pose your puzzlers directly to the panel.
In the New Year, we'll also be running a series of live forum Q+A sessions with key training and nutrition themes. Stay tuned for further details and if you'd like to see a particular topic addressed in more depth,just drop us a line.
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