Fiona McGruer: Runner, whatever the weather

I have ' just your average belle' for you today.  Fiona's a neuroscience researcher (this is not average by my definition of average) and student from Scotland. She told me she's trying to exercise her way out of 'the Glasgow Effect'.  Let's see how that's done...

1. I started running 4 years ago and like any long relationship we've had our ups and downs, but I keep coming right back to it. I hope we’ll be together forever and I’ll be the weird 80 year old lady rocking the Nike Tempos…

2. I run because it’s the only sport that’s ever really ‘caught’ me and made me commit. I wear a pair of Mizuno Wave Inspire 9s for every day road, and Inov8 212 X-Talons offroad.

3. The last run I did was yesterday and I ran 4 fairly pitiful miles. It was classic Glaswegian weather- bright sunshine with cold wind and splattering rain- at an ungodly hour of the morning, but was still fun because I was with one of my many ace bully victims running friends.

4. My current fave bit of kit is my Nike Twisted leggings- they’re a vibrant mix of black and traffic light yellow. It helps that they’re clearly a bit oversized so they make me feel all svelte every time I look at the label ;-)

5. I'm eyeing up maybe committing to doing a marathon (so decisive!). If I do I’d probably go for a scenic Scottish highlands one like the Loch Ness Marathon in September. If I do I will likely run for mental health charities.

6. Running makes me feel alive every single time that I run. But most of all when its bucketing it down and thundering and everyone is looking at me like I’m crazy and I’m looking at myself like I’m a badass.

7. I'm currently listening to Timber by Pitbull and Kesha when I run. It makes me want to combine a sort of crazy run/dance move but I’m clumsy at the best of times so I’d better not.

8. I run with my university team, which has made me countless excellent running allies. However unless you happen to also attend the finest university on earth :P I’m afraid you can’t join so I recommend finding a local running club and getting involved there! You wouldn’t believe how friendly, interesting and motivating most clubs are.

9. I’ve recently started drinking/eating better in general- cutting out pointless snacking and focusing on ‘real food’  instead of chemical creations and it's changed how I feel quite a bit. In the long run (pun!) I’m hoping it will help me get back in serious shape for races and help me enjoy running for a very long lifetime!

10. I'm currently obsessed with running in crazy places. I like punishing windy hills and rough terrain underfoot. I recently went up Conic Hill in insane winds. It’s keeping my re-found running motivation fresh and nothing makes me feel more alive.

11. I'm bringing cross training to this blog, and throwing it down on the table. I believe in cross training. I believe it will make me a better runner. I believe it could work for you too. I believe in exercise variation and not getting bored. I believe that if I do both bikini season might not be quite so much of a sarong covered washout…

12. I'm currently having issues with getting back into it, it’s so depressing being worse than you were before! Can anyone offer any tips?

13. Finally, here's my inspirational quote. It gets me going when motivation has gone.

Find Fiona over at her blog, on twitter, instagram, Pinterest and google+.  Cheers Fiona!

Cathy Drew: Runner. Florence: Her bike.

This week I have Cathy for you.  She's nice.  I met her at Write this run and I liked her a lot. Cathy works in undergraduate recruitment for the University of Sussex.  She lives in Brighton, comes from the wilds of Shropshire and has a bike called Florence.  
And a Garmin called Gavin.  
Over to you, you weirdo:

1. I started running 3 years ago and it’s introduced me to some of the best people in the world.

2. I run because it’s fun and free, and I wear a pair of Mizunos. My favourite pair are pink and black check.

3. The last run I did was tonight and I ran with the boy to have a coffee with running friends. It was cold.

4. My current fave bit of kit is, and forever will be, my Garmin, Gavin.

5. I'm not training for anything specific at the moment, but am running the London Marathon in April…

6. Running made me feel when I woke up again after passing out at 21 miles in my first marathon! (Which I did finish, just FYI.)

7. I don’t listen to music anymore when I run. I used to, but now I like to concentrate on my breathing and whether or not I am being chased by bears.

8. I participate in parkrun most weekends, you can find more information on their website if you want to get involved: and I suggest you do as it is ACE!

9. I started using High 5 gels when running marathons, and they’re brilliant. I was convinced I couldn’t handle eating/gelling on the run, but these are light enough even for me.

10. I'm currently obsessed with running as fast as I can, it's keeping my running addiction fresh. That, and triathlons.

11. I'm bringing lifting heavy to this blog, as well as my first loves of running, swimming and cycling. My other half is a Strength and Conditioning coach, and is convinced that lifting things heavier than me will fix all my injuries and make me faster. Both of which I want, so have been faffing around in the gym for about a year now. It’s really ace. 

12. I'm have an ongoing issue with my hip: if anyone has any idea how to make it go away once and for all, please let me know.

13. Finally, here's my inspirational quote: 

Thanks, Ben Howard, for getting me through 3 marathons. 
Now go, run!

You can find Cathy and the rest of her kit over on her blog, twitter and instagram. Bye Cathy! (and Gavin, and Florence)

Polly Farrington: Runner, because walking takes too long

My name is Polly and in the daytime hours I work as a Management Consultant in the city, most other hours I am running, cycling and generally baffling anyone who can’t understand why someone would get up at 5am to go on a pre-work run.

1. I started running 18 months ago and never looked back

2. I run because walking takes too long? I don’t really have a particular reason for running around, I quite like Scott Jurek’s mantra ‘sometimes you just do things’, that’s probably why I started. Shoe-wise I have moved through Brooks and Asics and now wear a rather snappy pair of black/pink/lime Mizuno Wave Rider 16s

3. The last run I did was around 6 miles on Sunday. I had set out with my mum and sister on an 11 miler but after about 30 minutes the weather got a bit apocalyptic and I had dressed very over-optimistically. I turned back to avoid catching pneumonia but the others soldiered on.

4. My favourite bit of kit that I wear both running and cycling is my Rapha wind jacket. Its crazy light, keeps out the wind and looks great. It’s not cheap but on a cost per wear basis I’ve got it down to fractions of pennies.

5. I'm currently training for the Ealing Half, and have just completed the London Duathlon

6. I always try to listen to the Marathon Talk podcast on my long run, and then I tend to just save music for races or particularly painful speed sessions. I like knowing I don’t have to rely on music to get through the distance and being able to pay attention to your breathing makes pacing decisions much easier.

7. I run with the Ealing Eagles and try to always make it down to their interval sessions on a Thursday.

8. I'm currently obsessed with all things Duathlon. I love cycling (I was cycling before I was running) and training for the London Duathlon allowed me to combine my two great loves.

9. I'm bringing mountain running to this blog, and throwing it down on the table. I recently read Moire O'Sullivan’s ‘Mud Sweat and Tears’, and there is nothing more hardcore than being able to run up and down mountains.

10. I'm currently having issues trying to fit everything I want to do into the week. Bernard’s watch anyone?

11. I’m not a big inspirational quote kinda gal, but Jens Voigt’s ‘Shut Up Legs’ (see photo below) seemed to do the job pretty well during the last couple of bike laps and the final 5k of the London Duathlon.

Polly is on twitter and writes a blog about all things cycling and duathloning.  Go forth and be inspired.

Beki Cadd: Runner, geophysicist and book-listener!

Next up is not-so-wheezy Beki, a newbie runner with a mixed bag of 10ks on the horizon.  If you're thinking of starting up running I'm sure she'll make you feel inspired.  She certainly made me want to get off my butt and go for a run. 

Hi! I’m Beki and my blog is called Miss Wheezy- this stems from my asthma, and the noise I used to make whenever I tried to do any sort of exercise!

I’m a geophysicist and work for an Oil and Gas exploration company- I moved from Norfolk to London/Surrey only a couple of months ago, and am still settling in and trying to find new places to run and make new running friends.

1. I started running not even a year ago, and I’m still surprised at my decision!
2. I run because I want to prove I can, as an asthmatic, and someone who hated running for the way it made me feel weak and incapable in school. I’ve been wearing a pair of Mizuno Wave Nexus for the past year, but have recently bought some Brooks Ravennas to try- they’re a similar motion control shoe.
3. The last run I did was 4.5miles around Bushy Park- it’s really nice that there are so many green spaces in London, and I love running past the Queen’s deer!
4. My current favourite bit of kit is my Garmin Forerunner 10- it was a Christmas present from my boyfriend (after much unsubtle hinting!) and it’s made my running so much simpler as I don’t need to try and figure out how far or fast I’ve run.
5. I’m training for several 10ks at the moment, including She Runs Windsor and Nike We Own The Night as well as the Energizer Night Run 5k in London.
6. Running made me feel alive and proud of my body, when I crossed the finish line at the Race for Life Twilight 5k last year- it was my first “race” and while not timed, I ran the whole way – an amazing sense of achievement.
7. I’m currently listening to “The Kingmaker’s Daughter” by Philippa Gregory when I run. I do love music too for boosting my mood, but on longer runs I like to zone out and listen to an audiobook. I get so caught up in the story!
8. I don’t currently participate in any running clubs, but have been to a couple of 5k Park Runs and would definitely recommend them.
9. I started eating a lot of nut butter to fuel my running! My favourite breakfast is porridge with mashed banana, chia seeds and peanut butter; it keeps me going all morning.
10. I’m currently obsessed with new running gear, and am trying to stop myself buying lots of colourful new kit for Spring!
11. I’m bringing foam rolling to this blog and throwing it down on the table. I’ve just discovered it and although painful, I believe it’s really helpful in massaging my muscles and working out any tightness.
12. Finally, here’s my inspirational quote. Now go, run!