Guide for Starting a Running Regime This Spring

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runners

Spring is definitely in the air and that means it’s running season again. Of course, the hardcore runners have been out all winter – and good for them – but many of us can’t bring ourselves to head out for a jog in wintertime, whether it’s because of the cold winds, the icy ground, or the dark early nights. Spring is the perfect time to start working on your fitness again and there are some great tips for anyone hoping to avoid injury and make their runs as enjoyable and safe as possible.




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SMART Goals For Running

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Girl running

SMART goals are usually used in business rather than fitness – think sales, targets, customers, that kind of thing. But with spring here (or nearly here, at least), you might be feeling inspired by all the runners currently out training for their spring marathons, or by the parkrunners you dodge every Saturday morning when you’re out walking the dogs. 

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4 Ways to Train When the Weather Is Crap

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running in the rain

If your weather’s anything like the weather here at the mo, it’s not very inviting to go out and run in. I’m okay if it starts to rain while I’m out – in fact, I can breathe easier when it’s raining – but when it’s damp and grey and drizzly, it’s hard to motivate myself to get out there in the first place. 

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Review: Plantronics BackBeat FIT Wireless Sport Headphones

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Plantronics backbeat FIT wireless headphones

I lost my iPod Nano. I am bereft. I’m pretty sure I left it in the cab after my birthday night out, as I remember not being able to find my wallet in my bag as my bag was stuffed full of presents and cards (I should probably point out this was more down to how small my bag was, not my popularity being so huge I should have taken a bin liner or two out with me with which to carry all my gifts) and I asked the driver to drive into the driveway while I rummaged around for the fare (that isn’t supposed to sound as dodgy as it does. I paid with cash, honest). So, I reckon it fell out then and, when I next got a cab two days later on Christmas Eve, I asked that cab driver how many different companies use the rank at the station and told him I thought I’d lost my iPod in a cab a couple of days previously and I thought it was a female driver, and he gave me a number to ring and said there are only three female drivers in Ashford, so it should be easy to locate. I said I won’t ring now, it’s Christmas Eve, they’ll be busy but he assured me it’d be fine. I went inside and rang the cab office and got the most unfriendly and unhelpful woman on the phone ever and she just said blah blah blah and so I remained un-iPodless and too scared to ring back another day in the hope someone nicer picked up. 

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Infographic: Winter Safety on Two Wheels

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I’ve got to admit, I’m much more of a summer cyclist, choosing to leave my bike in the garage during the winter, unless I *really* need it. This is partly because, once my hands and feet get cold, they take approximately two and a bit weeks to defrost and partly because of hazards like icy roads in the morning and poor visibility in the evening. 

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Infographic: Choosing the Best Compression Socks for Runners

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I know compression socks have many benefits but, let’s face it, looking good in them isn’t one of them. But people look stupid running anyway and obviously health comes before vanity so if you want to know all about compression running socks, here’s a pretty infographic for you.

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5 Ways to Get Movement Into Your Day

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Before I emigrated to the countryside, I – like many others – was office-bound, spending many hours sitting down staring at a screen. Ironically though, I was at my lightest then because I was an expert at getting exercise into my day without really trying. Here are my tips for getting some exercise into your working day:

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4 Things to Think about If You’re Thinking of Renting Out Your Home

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cohabiting-rights

I’ve been renting out my house in London for seven years now and while the extra money has been welcome, it’s been a pain at times (the renting out bit, not the money). Here’s what I’ve learnt so far and what you should think about if you’re thinking about renting out your home.

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3 Myths About Running Shoes

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Asics Cumulus 15

The 16 year old goth me would be horrified

Unless you’re Zola Budd (if you’re under 40, ask your parents who she is), you’re going to need to wear something on your feet (and I don’t mean Heelys or rollerskates like the ones you can buy at Skate Hut). When I started running, I bought a cheap pair of trainers from ShoeZone for £10 and although I don’t recommend you do that, there are some common myths about running shoes. Here are 3 of them.

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Infographic: Breakfast v No Breakfast

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I used to smoke my breakfast. But, when I say ‘smoke’, I’m not talking mackerel, I’m talking cigarettes. Yes, my breakfast for my entire adult life until I was thirty-six years old was as many cups of tea and cigarettes I could fit in before leaving the house.

I’d like to say that now I no longer smoke, I’m up at dawn making myself a big healthy breakfast to set me up for the day. I’d be lying though because I rarely have breakfast and if I do, it’s just a smoothie (or Nutriblasts as I call them now I’ve got a Nutribullet – you can see my review of it here on my food blog) and nothing more substantial than that.

Although a smoothie is undeniably healthier than a cigarette for breakfast, it’s still not ideal but I can’t face eating first thing in the morning, despite the benefits it would bring, as shown in the below infographic.

Infographic supplied by MOMA

Infographic supplied by MOMA

 

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