Gillian Power, Runner. The last name says it all!

I'm happy to introduce you to the second half of Double Trouble Running, Gilly!  She's an Irish chick living and running in Perth, Australia.  She works for a large social media software company and I'm instantly a fan because a) She says she's addicted to running and b) She says we should all do more Bikram yoga.  (She did say that, I swear!)  Here's a pic of Gilly and her coach finishing her last marathon.  What an amazing photo! Those legs!! 

Over to you Gilly:

1.      I started running four years ago and it's become my passion!
2.      I run because I think I am addicted (but the positive kind) and I wear a pair of Nikes.
3.      The last run I did was a progression run yesterday morning and I ran 6 sets of 2km, dropping 10 second per km each set. It was really hard and wet because we dropped to a fast pace but a great feeling at the end!
4.      My current fave bit of kit is my club fleece – we train at 6am and the winters are cold in Australia. Who knew!
5.      I'm training for/eyeing up the Melbourne Marathon in October. My third one.
6.      Running made me feel alive when I was trying to find a new hobby and passion.
7.      I'm currently listening to Freakonomics podcasts when I run.  It makes me stay at a slower pace for recovery runs and I learn something.
8.      I participate in BT Run Club and it has helped me drop my marathon time from 4.02 to 3.36. They introduced me the wonderful world of intervals! 
9.      I started drinking protein shakes after my hardcore running sessions but I can’t tell if it’s working!
10.   I'm currently obsessed with strava and it's keeping my running addiction fresh and making me want to tell others about it. 
11.   I'm bringing bikram yoga to this blog, and throwing it down on the table.  I've just discovered it and hopefully will aid with recovery.   
12.   I'm currently having issues with legs and am visiting my physio. It’s down to weak muscles so need more strength training - can anyone offer any tips? 
13.   Finally, here's my inspirational quote..it’s not really a quote, it’s what I say when it’s getting hard! 

You can find both Gilly and Ellie over on Double Trouble Running blog.  Gilly's twitter is GillyPerth.  Thanks ladies!

Nicola Rowlands: Runner and Drawer

Hello! I'm Nicola.  I'm a designer and illustrator and I live in Manchester, England.  I live with my boyfriend and hope to sometime soon incorporate a cat or dog into our living situation.  You can visit my website, facebook and twitter and I also have an online shop where I sell vaguely mental cards and gifts.  Above is a photo of a run I did a week ago - around Dunham Massey and finishing at my boyfriend's golf course.  Super nice evening - ran past herds of deer! 

1. I started running 10 years ago and it's pretty much the only sport I'm any good at, mainly because I'm somewhat unsociable and hugely uncoordinated.  
2. I run because I'm addicted and it gives me a sense of purpose and acheivement.  
3. I have two pairs of trainers: Nike Lunarlon and Mizuno Wave Runners. I alternate - one pair is muddier than the other so it depends where I'm running which pair I wear! 
4. The last run I did was this morning and I ran 6k. It was muddy and a little tricky because I went down by the canal and the ground is really uneven so it's difficult to concentrate on not falling on your face.  
5. My current fave bit of kit is my nike+ app.  It's seriously made a massive improvement on my distances.  Plus you can score jazzy trophies and if that's not motivation then what is.  
6. I'm training for a half marathon in Peterborough next weekend and I'm eyeing up my first marathon in the spring.  
7. Running made me feel alive when I paired it with open water swimming this year.  Cross training was a wonderful thing and opened up a whole new world of opportinities as well! In September I went on a trip with an old friend swimming and running around the Dordogne, France.  Amazing!
8. I'm currently listening to Uhh Yeah Dude podcasts when I run.  They make me laugh, which is awkward and sometimes confusing in terms of breathing. 
9. I participate in parkrun once a month and have also recently joined a Nike running club.  Parkruns are an awesome way to start the weekend and massive motivation to get a PB.  My running club has really added some variation to my training - my distances and speed have improved as well as the plus side of meeting new people and chatting about running (gah!)
10. I started drinking more water after I started doing Bikram yoga this year.  It sure does get sweaty up in there.  
11. I'm currently obsessed with researching bikes and the idea of doing a triathlon next year.  Just got a shiny awesome helmet from my ma & pa to start my bike kit collection.  
12. I'm bringing coconut water to this blog, and throwing it down on the table.  I know it's super good for hydration and I'll drink it after a long bikram session but I wish there was an alternative natural electrolyte drink that didn't taste of feet.  
13. I'm currently having issues with my hips and I think it's because I need new shoes.  In fact, I'm pretty sure I need new shoes.  I think I'm gonna get the same ones again to avoid getting sucked into the dreaded shoe research.  
14. Finally, here's my inspirational quote.  A little bit of Bruce always helps.   Now go, run!