TTP CAMBRIDGE HALF MARATHON
GO AT YOUR OWN PACE
IN ANTICIPATION OF THE CITY’S MASS RUNNING RACE ON 5 MARCH, NICOLA FOLEY GETS SOME EXPERT TRAINING TIPS
ambridge’s favourite running event returns in March, and for anyone getting involved, now’s the time to start thinking about training. A beautiful 13.1-mile race through iconic sights and famous colleges, this half marathon is one of the biggest, most picturesque and flattest in the UK, making it a popular choice for both experienced and newer runners. But first things first: can anybody take on the challenge? “Yes! Everybody can run a half marathon – in fact, everybody can run a full marathon!” according to Pete Cooper, co-founder of Coopah, the official training partner for the event. “The biggest blocking point for runners is the mind, and thinking they can’t do something. The second is having the right shoes, as that will lead to injury. Don’t buy your shoes online: go to a running shop and get a gait analysis and that will ensure you have shoes that fit and are comfortable for you. The third-most important thing is to get a good plan – one that is flexible and can adapt to you.” There are plenty of training plans for half marathons online – in fact, the options can be a little overwhelming. Key things to look out for include gradual volume increases (no more than 10% additional mileage per week), adequate recovery periods, supplementary cross training sessions and a decent ‘taper’ period of around two weeks before the event. This is when you scale down runs to let your training take effect and make sure your legs are fresh for the big day. If you want a more personalised plan, check out the Coopah app, which offers bespoke running schedules, strength and conditioning workouts, yoga sessions and group chats with other runners. Syncing with Garmin, Strava and other training data
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AIM HIGH As one of the flatter courses out there, Cambridge is a good place to shoot for your personal best
76 DECEMBER 2022 CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK
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