Melissa Webb: Runner and tube enthusiast

To get you inspired for your week of running I've got lovely Melissa from lissyruns.  When she's not running or apparently over-using brackets on her blog, she works as a food buyer (and gets paid to try food!) 

Melissa is a self-confessed Tube geek ("give me old maps and photos of disused stations and I'll be happy for hours!") and it was great to hear what she has to say in brackets and out.  Over to you Melissa! 

1.  I started running just over three years ago and it surprises me every day that I'm still doing it. I know a lot of people say this, but if my PE teacher at school was to guess who would become obsessed with running in their mid-twenties, I would be pretty near the last of their guesses.

2.     I run because I love it. I honestly can’t thing of a single thing that has enriched my life in so many ways as much as running has. I wear a pair of adidas Supernova Glide 6 boosts – snappy! They are the best pair of running shoes I’ve ever owned, I was previously quite a slave to the swoosh.

3.     The last run I did was a brand new route to me this weekend. I moved to East London fairly recently and I ran the canal and Victoria Park. I’m in love with where I live already.

4.     My current fave bit of kit is my new bright orange Sweaty Betty running jacket. I never would usually spend so much on one item of clothing, but I used money I got as birthday presents on it. It’s a great fit and it’s seen me through a fair few rain showers recently.

5.     I'm training for the Paris marathon in less than two weeks. OH MY GOD IT IS LESS THAN TWO WEEKS AWAY.

6.  The last time running made me feel alive was a while ago now actually. It was in the summer before it got really hot and it was an evening run along the canal to Victoria Park in East London. I was running faster than I ever had and felt like I was flying. 

7.     I'm currently listening to the sound of myself panting when I run. I stopped running with music when I moved to a not-so-great area last winter and wanted to be alert whilst running on dark evenings. Now I don’t often run with music, but I am trying out podcasts on very long marathon training runs

8.  I run with Run Dem Crew and RDC West and it has helped me fall deeper in love with running.

9.  I started drinking chocolate milkshake after running and it stops the feeling of sickness (surprisingly!) that I sometimes get after a long run. I would recommend it.  

10.  I'm currently obsessed with the fact that I haven’t got any faster in three years (due to inconsistent training) and it's keeping my running addiction fresh because I've decided I'm finally going to do something about it. Watch out, track! 

11.  I'm bringing yoga to this blog, and throwing it down on the table.  I've discovered it earlier this year and it's awesome. I really want to become really good at it – I'm seeing quick progression when I manage to practice a few times a week.   

12.  I'm currently having issues with my lower back, as I have lazy glutes so my back and hamstrings are overcompensating and becoming tight – can anyone offer any tips? 

13.  Finally, here's my inspirational quote. I saw it on the Lululemon website and I love it as it completely sums up me as a runner. It gets me going. Now go, run!

You can follow Melissa on twitter, instagram and in Paris on April 6th! Good luck Melissa! You can do it. 

Leah Naturally: Runner and shiny medal hoarder

The first post of 2014 is a good one guys. And not just because she's grabbing January by the balls and following the whole30 program. Meet Leah! She's a 28 year old expat Kiwi with a really inspiring journey.  Fitness has helped her battle some health issues and has taken her around the world to a great place.  By day she works for Nuffield Health gyms in their marketing department and in her free time she's a self-proclaimed 'bling-chaser.'   Thanks so much Leah for kicking our year off to a good start. Over to you! 

1. I started running 3 years ago years ago and it's helped me get and stay fit, lose weight and make some amazing friends all around the world!

2.  I run because I’m totally addicted to race bling and post run brunch. I wear a pair of Adidas Boosts. 

3. The last run I did was a 12mile jaunt along the Thames Embankment on Sunday. It’s only the third time I’ve run that distance (twice before in a half marathon race) and it was bloody fun because I was surrounded by some awesome training buddies to chat away to, and I was using a delicious brunch as motivation.

4.  My current fave bit of kit is my Lululemon running jacket – it’s got mitts that you can pull over your hands when you are super cold, thumb loops, and even a watch hole so you can still see your garmin/HR monitor.

5.  I'm training for the Paris Marathon – my first marathon. The fiancé got sick of me talking about how possibly, maybe, do you think I could do I marathon? and so he entered me in it and said “now you will stop talking about a marathon and just DO one”. Poor chap, I’ve not stopped talking about the marathon since.

6.  Running made me feel completely alive when I crossed the finish line of my first half marathon. I never ever thought I could run that far, but I proved to myself that I can do anything when I put my mind to it.

7.  I'm currently listening to tragic Miley/Britney/Christina (insert pop star here) songs when I run.  It makes me sing along, feel happy, and forget about what my feet are doing.

8.  I participate with my team (Team Naturally, Run) which is an awesome group of London ladies who chat about all things running and meet up at races together. These girls have helped me explore new places in London, meet new people, and provided motivation to keep up the running. 

9.  I started drinking Nuun hydration tablets while running and it's meant I’ve kept up the miles through summer (when I normally complain that it’s too hot!) and stay hydrated while running in winter. I’d highly recommend the tablets for keeping you refreshed and hydrated before, during, or after a run.  

10.  I'm currently obsessed with finding more races in new parts of London (to earn new bling) and it's keeping my running addiction fresh and new. I keep finding more, more, more that I want to take part in – my ‘race calendar’ is expanding!

11.  I'm currently trying to stay focused on marathon training and not burn out before the big day comes. I’m nervous yet confident, excited but petrified too!

Read more about Leah's bling over on her website.  You can also find her on twitter and facebook. Thanks Leah!

Ellan Iaquaniello: Runner x 10

This week I have Ellan to introduce to you!  She's mom to a seven year old daughter and wife to a golf-loving husband.  She works at a school in Kent and is, erm, training to run 10 marathons in 10 days. Over to you, wonderwoman!

1.  I started running  5 years ago and it's taken me all over the place including Brighton, Portsmouth, Newcastle, Beachy Head, The London Olympic stadium, Paris, Barcelona and even around a cyclopark in Kent 17 laps to make up a marathon. 

2.  I run because I love the runner's high, a bit of an addictive nature and I'm competitive (mostly with myself.)  I wear a pair of Asics.

3.  The last run I did was yesterday and I ran an easy 5 miles, one of my local runs, a little road, a little track, some woods and a few ups and downs. It was really enjoyable and relaxed because it was my last run this week before my Thames Meander Marathon (on Saturday 24th August) 

4.  My current fave bit of kit is my Sweaty Betty purple running vest, a birthday present from my running friends

5.  I'm training for Brathay 10in10 in May 2014. It's 10 marathons in 10 days, well actually the Brathay Windermere Marathon every day for 10 days. It's the biggest endurance challenge I've ever undertaken, I've completed 18 marathons to date (soon to be 19, this weekend hopefully) I'm raising vital money for Brathay Trust to help improve the lives of disadvantaged children. (If everyone reading this blog can donate just £1, I'll reach my target and we'll all help hundreds of children!)

6.  Running made me feel alive when I completed my first marathon at Brighton, I felt it again the week after when I completed my second marathon at London. It was then that I uttered some rather strange words to my husband, "I think I've found my distance!"

7.  I'm currently listening to a combination of Daft Punk, Eddie Izzard on tour and some random 80s tracks when I run.  It makes me smile on the inside, laugh on the outside and think that I'm young again (and not 41!)

8.  I participate in my local running club, Larkfield AC, in Kent. A fun and friendly club, mix of abilities and huge supporters of my Brathay 10in10 challenge. I can't mention Larkfield AC without adding that the Larkfield Ladies are the current Kent Grand Prix Road Race winners of 2012/13! 

9.  I started using gels once I started marathon training and the distances increased, thankfully my stomach is fairly cast iron! I use Clif shots, GU energy or SIS energy gels, depending on how my taste buds feel. Beachy Head marathon is the only exception, where I have enjoyed a range of goodies from hot cross buns, cups of tea with lemon drizzle cake and pieces of Mars bars! I would highly recommend it, but not if you're after a decent time. All the eating slows you down.  

10.  I'm currently obsessed with my Brathay 10in10 challenge, it's all I think about (and talk about my husband says!)

11.  I'm bringing ice baths and foam rollers to this blog, and throwing it down on the table.  I discovered both were a huge help when upping my mileage and they both really do work for me. My tip for the ice cold baths is to make a lovely cup of tea, take it with you when you get into the bath, hold it with both hands, it almost confuses your mind, the freezing cold of your legs in the water and the boiling hot cup in your hands!  

12.  I'm currently having difficulty with choosing a European city marathon for next Spring, I've done Paris and Barcelona to date - can anyone offer any tips? 

13.  Finally, here's my inspirational quote.  It gets me going.  Now go, run!

(Apparently the race director held a competition during the marathon to perform on the X on each of the 17 laps around the course. Ellan won a prize for the most awesomest star jump.)

Follow Ellan on twitter to stay up to date with her mad 2014 challenge! 

Mrs B: Estonian Runner, cyclist and Mum.

I originally met Mrs B on twitter because she was also running the Paris marathon - same one as me.  Then I met her in real life last weekend at Write This Run, whilst standing in line for some hamburgers.  She's exceedingly dedicated and can lift some serious weights. Over to you, Liina! 

Online I’m called MrsB and I blog at Mind over Matter. I am originally from Estonia but I studied in the US and then lived in Australia for 6 years before moving to London 7 years ago with my Aussie husband. I have two sons (8&4) and a job in web publishing. I used to be a cyclist in Australia but the streets of London scare me so I ended up becoming a runner instead.

1.  I started running about 3 years ago and it’s helped me through PND and given me a strong new identity.

2.  I run because it’s my quiet me-time away from the kids and because it makes me feel like a badass.

3.  The last run I did was two days ago and I ran 10km. It was my second run after my first marathon and it actually felt surprisingly nice (and short!).

4.  My current favorite piece of kit is my bright green Paris marathon finisher’s t-shirt. I suspect next week my favorite piece of kit will be my very first Garmin sports watch that I’m getting for my birthday.

5.  I’m currently recovering from the marathon and not training for anything that’s in the near future. I am doing a little 10k birthday race this weekend, but my main focus in the next months will be on Run to the Beat and Royal Parks half marathons in September and October.

6.  I used to listen to music a lot when I ran – Robyn, LaRoux, Brittney Spears, Carly Rae Jepsen – anything with a good beat, embarrassing otherwise or not. These days I just listen to the birds singing or the cars driving by because on my last run with music I got so carried away that I didn’t pay attention to tree roots and face planted to the ground.

7.  In addition to running I go to Crossfit twice a week, it makes my legs and my core strong, it makes me a faster runner and it’s a lot of fun.

8.  Running has hugely changed the way I eat. I used to get hypoglycemic attacks when running so I gave up sugar. I used to get GI issues on long runs so I gave up gluten. Now that I’ve figured out what fuel my body runs best on, running is nothing but pure joy.  When I carbo load, it’s rice and sweet potatoes all the way. I highly recommend it, carbo loading does not have to mean bread and pasta.

9.  I’m currently obsessed with my running technique and maybe giving a go at running in ‘barefoot’ running shoes. First step is to get some professional guidance on it.
10.  Finally, here’s my inspiration quote. When I’m having a tough run OR when I’m having a good run, it reminds me that I’m doing what I’m meant to be doing :)