At the end of this month, VIP will be donning our running shoes to take part in the Great Pink Run (follow our attempts on our Insta) – and we need all the help we can get.
Luckily, Irish legend Sonia O’Sullivan, who won countless medals – including silver at the Olympics – during her running career, has decided to give us some advice ahead of the big event on August 29.
Sonia will be joining us in Phoenix Park for the big day, which is in aid of Breast Cancer Ireland, and has offered her top training tips for runners of all levels, ages and abilities that will be taking part.
She says: “At this point, you should have decided if you’re going to run the 5Km or 10Km race. There’s still time to train for either distance, but a good plan is important for making the event as enjoyable as possible. And remember, every run you do increases the ease at which you will complete the Great Pink Run!”
Closing date for entries is August 24th, so whether you’re setting your sights at the chipped 10K challenge or looking to have some fun with the chipped 5K family run sign up today and join thousands of fellow runners, all dressed in pink, in support of Breast Cancer Ireland and the race for a cure.
Sonia’s Top Ten Training Tips for the Great Pink Run
- Aim to get in three runs a week, with the weekend run increasing in distance each week.
- Estimate how long it will take you to cross the Great Pink Run finish line. For one of your weekly training sessions spend this amount of time running and/or walking.
- Arrange to meet friends or a running group at a regular time a few times each week. Even if you run at different paces, just agreeing to meet will ensure you never miss a run.
- Plan your training routes each week and try to change the surface you run on and places that you run. It is so much more inspiring to run in a park or forest away from cars and crossing roads.
- A stopwatch is your friend and will provide motivation to increase your training each week and improve your pace.
- If you are new to running you are bound to feel a bit sore in the days after a run. This is normal and eventually you will not feel these aches – you just need to keep on running and let the body adapt to the new regime.
- Stretching is good after running to ease out any aches and pains.
- Now is the time to try new shoes or gear to make sure you are comfortable with the fit and have time to make any necessary changes.
- Drink plenty of water before and after running and fuel up with fresh fruit and vegetables.
- No matter how slow you run, it is faster than walking, so pick those feet up and let the energy flow.
For more information and to sign up for Breast Cancer Ireland’s Great Pink Run with Avonmore Slimline Milk log on to www.greatpinkrun.ie.