when you're tired of running...

...it's nice to have a beanbag to hand

There comes a time in every champion athlete's career when he or she has to up their game in order to move on to the next level of physical supremacy. And so that time has come in our training. Gone are the mornings where we could fit a nice little 4 mile run in before work and still have time for showers, breakfast and hairstraightening.

This week, the tiredness has properly kicked in. The runs are getting longer and getting to work in time to fit in a 7 mile run is proving a challenge in itself. With only 8 weeks to go to the start line, the pressure is on to keep up our motivation and momentum without falling asleep during our cool down stretches.

So, we’d love any tips you have on improving our energy levels in general.

These are some of the suggestions we’ve had so far:

a banana

a big cup of coffee

a mascot to cheer us on our training runs

Tiredness aside, we have found something that has made running more fun. Celebrity spotting whilst pounding the pavements.

On-the-jog celebrity spot #1: Whilst running on Hampstead Heath last w/e, Ceri puffed past former Spice Girl, Geri Halliwell, who was looking all rosy cheeked while pushing her lovely little baby.

On-the-jog celebrity spot #2: Eloise ran past Bridget Jones author Helen Fielding as she was rushing to catch a train. It sort of counts.

So, while you’re thinking of ways to help us keep on running, we’d love any favourite London running routes you might have for our long runs at the weekends.

Ideally, we’re looking to do between 13-18 mile runs over the next few weekends.

Potential celebrity spots optional.

Comments

[Stevo]

Love Malcolm the Mascot he'd definitely get me out there training.

The girls' energy levels would be massively boosted by large dollops of sponsorship. So go to www.justgiving.com/innocentladies and give generously. Please.

[Marathon Man]

Isn't it time that there was a 'Sport Smoothie' to help these ladies? No added sugar mind. Just lots of lovely motivation.

[Patrick Nielsen]

Training for the Marathon myself. Whilst I drink innocent until it comes out of my ears - I do highly recommend Viper energy drink by maximuscle (no I don't work for them!). All the best with the training!! enjoy the day...

Paddy the fisherman.

[Chris Marritt]

Not necessarily a comment on this post, so much as a comment on the blog in general:
How on earth do i get the rss feed for this blog?
The subscribe button gives me a download which Windows doesn't know - and can't find out - how to open, while Google Reader can't find any feed on the site.
Any clues? Am I doing something wrong?

[Chris Marritt]

And now for a comment on the post itself: Have you tried visiting http://www.runningahead.com?
There's a feature on the site where you can look for routes that other people in your area have saved - dead useful.
They're Manchester rather than London, but can I add Paul Heaton (Housemartins, Beautiful South) and John Thompson (Cold Feet, Fast Show) as celebrity spots while running? I can also recommend the SIS PSP sports drinks, though it's no bad idea sticking to the London Marathon ones that you will get on the day, either.

[Millie]

Have you had a look at this site?
http://www.mapmyrun.com

Its a handy little place where you can map out your route. There maybe runs mapped out from others in the London area?

This is an example
http://www.mapmyrun.com/route/united-kingdom/bristol/142760588

its the run I do on a lunchtime. Hope you like it?
Good luck!

[dan at innocent]

Hello Chris

Sorry about the trouble with the RSS feed. Try pasting http://innocentdrinks.typepad.com/innocent_drinks/index.rdf into your feed reader

Dan

[Chris Marritt]

That's done the trick! Thanks

[ceri]

Thanks so much for all those tips.

mapmyrun.com and runningahead.com are both really useful sites and some taste tests are definitely in order for the sports drinks recommended.

we'll keep you posted on how it all goes

thanks again

Ceri