Rob Slinger

OK, I’m being slightly metaphorical here! Although some of you will literally be running in the dark i.e. when there’s no daylight (I’ll deal with this in a post next week), many people are running in the dark when it comes to the techniques and strategies they are employing (or not) for training for a distance event such as a half marathon, marathon or ultra distance event. 

And often don’t even have a race/event day strategy! Now to me that seems bonkers and I know some of you reading this will think it’s crazy too, but many people think because they can put one foot in front of the other, that they can run in a way that will support them for hours and hours of repetitive striding. I’m sorry but NO. Believe me, I’ve been there…I struggled for years to make it to the end of a one hour jog without feeling broken by the time I reached the destination. And don’t mention the irritating little injuries I picked up.

For those of you that do run with some success, you will know what I mean, but for the majority of you I know that you’ll have ‘hit the wall’ during a distance event, lost toes nails or struggled with a repetitive injury during your training…sound familiar?

What if I said you could train pain free, injury free AND enjoy every run, feeling better at the end that you did at the beginning…whatever the distance?

Too good to be true? Well not so my friends, ’cause I am in my 6th year of training and running this way and it works, it bloody well works, simple as that!

Now there’s too many things to consider to put in a blog post or even a series of blog posts – although I will be offering snippets, tips, nougats of wisdom (not all mine I hasten to add) every week going forward – so I have created a one day training event which I may only do once this year, which is going to be on Saturday the 25th February in Banstead, Surrey. If you’re interested in getting ahead of the pack when it comes to enjoying your distance running, then come and join me. Simply email to reserve your place at marathonmastery@therawadventurer.com  

OK, that’s it for today, as ever thanks for taking the time to read this post, I hope it’s been useful and if you have any comments, then please do email me at blogposts@therawadventurer.com.

Adios for now ;o)

Right it’s either been raining, is raining or going to rain at some point here today (and probably where you are too) and like my Dad used to say; “it’ll either rain or go dark before morning Rob”, in other words it’s inevitable it’s going to rain at some point – especially here in the UK…!

So it’s a worthwhile question and particularly pertinent in winter, as it’s often cold AND wet…so ‘What do you do when it rains…?’ Now I don’t expect you to be saying in your heads “stay in doors” cause you know that’s not an option when you’re training for an event, or have committed yourself to a training schedule.

So here’s my top 5 tips:

1)  If you’re going out for a short run (up to an hour) layer up, with a wicking top close to the skin, a non-wicking thermal top next and then a rain proof outer shell, ideally brightly coloured. This works in a number of way:

a) the outer shell stops wind and water penetration, so stopping premature cooling

b) the wicking top pulls the moisture from your skin and the mid layer will provide thermal protection whilst you warm up.

I will be doing a specific blog series over the next couple of weeks on clothing, so keep your eyes open for those.

2)  Lube up ya bits!! Basically anywhere that has a chance of chaffing; armpits, groin, nipples etc, you’ll thank me for this one. If it’s a longer run you may want to tape your nipples with micropore tape, ’cause believe me this can stop your race. Again, there is a range of products on the market and I’ll be going through those I’ve tried this season in forthcoming blog posts;

3)  Wear a hat (peaked hat if the rain falls from above) to reduce chill factor and in driving rain wear glasses. Now I know that might sound counter intuitive, but I have tried both ways around and it’s definitely better with glasses. Now, I use an old pair of clear glasses that I got for cycling years ago, which I spray up with an automotive Rain Repellant, and although it’s designed for glass not plastic, it works well. Do read the instructions though on any product you choose – you have been warned.

4)  Don’t try to miss puddles, run up the sides of a muddy path, stay on track. Your form is so much more important than a little extra water or mud, plus it’ll save unnecessary injury. Focus on your state, you’re gonna get wet so you may as well enjoy it as you would have as a kid…it’s even more fun when you run with someone!!

5)  If you’re going on a longer run (over an hour) with a hydration pack, then take a spare set of clothing with a few upper layers and wrap them in at least one plastic bag so they remain dry. You can end up a good way from home, and even if someone is going to pick you up straight away, it could take them 20+ minutes to get to you and that’s easily enough time for you to start getting hypothermia in the wrong conditions.

A dry set of clothes could be a life saver…literally!

Remember that the hardest part of running training in the rain is often just getting started. Once you’re out there and you warm up you’ll find yourself enjoying it and it can in fact be quite exhilarating as you get washed in negative ions which is hugely good for your health . Running in the rain will also help you prepare in case you have to run a race or event in the rain, so get on with it

OK, that’s it for today, as ever thanks for taking the time to read this post, I hope it’s been useful. If you have any comments, then please do email me at blogposts@therawadventurer.com.

Adios for now ;o)

That’s “Run-Day” (for those who were thinking…’what the’…!!) Running for the Borders Day…And I’m feeling a little concerned…

You see, I guess I’m like most people. Each of us prioritises the things we choose to do into urgent, not so urgent, important, not so important and ‘actually I just wanna do that!’. Consequently, sometimes you take your eye off the ball and forget something important, until it becomes urgent…errr, well that kinda happened to me this week. It suddenly dawned on me what I’ve got to do and how very little time left I have to do this now!

You see, for the last 2+ months of 2011, I prioritised starting the build of a training studio in the garden – knowing full well that this was going to become VERY important to me during 2012 – without focusing on the fact that I only had six months of training time to get ready for ‘RunForTheBorder’. Now what’s even crazier, is that I already have a gym in my office building, which I can use whenever I like, so in reality I didn’t even need to start the build project…but I chose to do it anyway….(sound familiar?)….me thinks I may have been avoiding something!!!

Well, now I only have 3 months to get ready for Leg 1 of the event, when I’ll be required to run 5 marathons in 5 days across the border between England and Scotland, present 4 workshops in schools and two evening events to specialist groups….mmmm, you can see why I’ve now become quite concerned!

Now I do generally run regularly – 3 to 5 times per week – but I’m serious when I say that I literally did not run for the last 10 weeks of last year and what with a little indulgence over Christmas, the couple of light runs I did last week combined with a longer 9 miler yesterday has left me with sore hi-flexers today and a shocked consciousness.

OK so it’s true, I am a man who likes experiencing things, I like pushing myself and achieving what on the face of it may seem beyond me, but have I bitten off more than I can chew this time…? Well if you want a laugh and see how I get on over the next 14 weeks, then keep tuning in to this blog, cause it’s going to be a no-holes barred, roller coater ride of a boot camp…the good, the bad and the ugly. At times the language maybe colourful, but you’ll get the truth that’s for sure. There’s gonna be daily updates (well as much as possible), weekly video diaries, plus training and coaching tips galore, plus even opportunities to get involved in Leg 2 and Leg 3 in May and June respectively.

So I look forward to sharing, I look forward to you comments and you never know, you may see me on a road, trail or treadmill near you soon ;oP

Yours every step of the way!