No one really likes training in the winter - a warm duvet is always far more appealing than a cold, dark morning. But the days are getting longer, the weather is getting warmer and race season isn't far away.So, no more excuses. Now is the time
of runners. But this tails off as the weather cools and the lure of the sofa increases. If your enthusiasm flags in winter, take to heart the Russian saying theres no such thing as bad weather; just bad clothes. Current fabric technology means that you can
.Juniors are assigned to a training group depending on their current ability but if they feel like an easier session they're free to change groups. Activities are varied and change depending upon the time of year. During autumn and winter, the emphasis is on endurance
last year aged 37 after a 17-year gap, during which I smoked and drank far too much. I trained through the winter and ran my first half-marathon in 1 hour 30 minutes. I then decided to see how fast I could run one if I really tried in my next race a few
'. And there's no better time to do so than during autumn and winter, so you'll be primed for next year's race season.The confidence gameConfidence comes from the belief that you can do what you are about to do. It's based in part on the training you have put
If you don't have a big race in your sights, it can be hard to stay focused. Challenge yourself, or join others with weekly, monthly or annual mileage targets. By setting yourself a mileage challenge you can combine the motivation of having a target
. This philosophy is transferable to the rest of us: training with company can be just as beneficial in helping you to achieve your particular goals. A partner could encourage you to adopt more variety in your running and thereby foster greater motivation
to cover a kilometre. No one else would ever have even thought it possible to run around the world unsupported, taking in a Siberian and Alaskan winter along the way. But she embraced the challenge and revelled in it. Despite stress fractures in both legs
and had a coffee, and asked each other if we would be stupid enough to do it again. You've guessed it: a few days later saw us out there again - same result but we are a determined pair and kept at it all through the winter. The rain, even the snow, did
