With just over two weeks to go before the Winchester Half Marathon on 23 September, we're catching up with some of the ten University of Winchester runners who won complimentary passes for this year's race to find out how their training is going.
Training miles run
Probably not enough.
Running highlight
Taking part in a biathlon in Psathopyrgos in Greece this month: the run went well, the open water swim didn't.
Running low point
Late morning run during the peak of the heatwave: PB for a slowest 12k run!
Aches and pains?
Dodgy knee and some blisters.
Running playlist
Mainly birdsong. I don't listen to music while running anymore.
Your secret to keeping motivated
I hate letting myself down.
Three words that describe your training
Motivated. Gradual. Improving.
Training miles run
Since the start of August, I have run
Running highlights
Conquering Winchester hills on the first attempt when running with another friend in training and running three times in a week and still having fuel in the tank to carry on!
Running low point
Exhausted in the heat when running outside of the gym, around West Wood, in the summer!
Nearly falling over on the treadmill when running too fast!
Aches and pains
Yes, there have been aches and pains in the old kickers but a few days rest and good as gold!
Running playlist
Breakin' A Sweat, Holdin' On & Bangarang by Shrillex
Amsterdam by Nothing but Thieves
Giving It Up by Mallory Knox
Your secret to keeping motivated
Running via Otterbourne to meet someone. But, most importantly, doing the University proud!
Three words that describe your training
Gotta Go Fast!
Training miles run
I'm running roughly 18 miles a week.
Running highlight
Completing my first full one- hour run with no stopping.
Running low point
Trying to run on a very humid evening and having to call it a day early.
Aches and pains?
I stretch out before and after every run, and so far - fingers crossed - have not suffered any aches or pains!
Running playlist
Any upbeat 'running playlist' on Spotify keeps me going.
Your secret to keeping motivated
I have downloaded the half marathon beginners' training plan from the Race for Life website - each time I complete a training run, I tick it off. Hard to avoid when I've stuck it on the fridge!
Three words that describe your training
Challenging. Hilly. Stress-relieving!
Training miles run
151 miles.
Running highlight
Completing 10 miles in my fastest time.
Running low point
Once, before a long run. I just had no motivation and found it hard to get out and do it.
Aches and pains?
Nothing major, just my knee aching a couple of times.
Running playlist
I don't listen to music when I run.
Your secret to keeping motivated
Knowing that when I complete it I will feel amazing and I can have a massive takeaway guilt free!
Three words that describe your training
Long. Tough. Rewarding.
Training miles run
Hopefully enough to finish the half-marathon in two weeks.
Running highlight
Seeing an owl fly right in front of me in Farley Mount during one of my long runs.
Running low point
Trying to drag myself out for a morning run and failing.
Aches and pains?
I try to keep my old iliotibial band injury in check, so far so good! Running mindfully and slowly helps.
Running playlist
I don't listen to music when I run, so I take in whatever is happening around me. Sometimes it's cars, sometimes birds and donkeys.
Your secret to keep motivated
Public accountability helps a lot!
That, and the fact that I am raising money for a charity which helped me when I was recovering from meningitis. You can support me here.
Three words that describe your training
Time. To. Myself.
Unfortunately Ellie Oldcorn and Joe Lloyd have paused training because of injury.
Wishing all the runners in the Winchester Half Marathon good luck for race day! We'll be back with news of how the University competitors got on in the race at the end of September.
Find out more about the runners in the first Winchester Half Marathon 2018 blog post here.