Coaching advice

Saucony are delighted to announce that new for 2011, "runningwithus" are our official coaching partner.  runningwithus is a team of coaches headed up by Nick Anderson and Phoebe Thomas, who have many miles of coaching and running between them!

Nick and Phoebe will be sharing their wisdom with us over the entire running year, and you'll have chance to pitch questions at them too!

runningwithus “make every run count with us”

Saucony top 12 marathon countdown tips

As the spring marathon season is nearly upon us, many runners are building up (or tapering down) to the big day.  Nick and Phoebe have come up with their top advice as 26.2 approaches....

  1. Why Worry - Reduce stress in the final weeks by making sure your race day logistics and weekend accommodation are organised early.........no last minute panics or worries to distract you.
  2. Review - It’s definitely time to review the last 10-12 weeks of training and remind yourself just how fit you now are. Tell yourself you are running well…..
  3. Relax - You will hear other runners worrying, telling you about their problems or even telling you to do this, do that etc. Stick to your plan and don’t change things now. The miles are banked and it is time to relax.
  4. Sleep - Try to focus on getting extra sleep in these final 2 weeks. No late nights and maybe an extra 30 minutes sleep per night if possible. Your body will thank you with extra energy. This gives the training from the previous months the best opportunity to hit home.
  5. Fuel that performance - Eat normally and don’t make the classic mistake of eating less as you taper. Your body now needs those extra calories to fully recover and prepare for race day. Snack well between meals and remember this thought – “never hungry, never over full”
  6. Stress the positive - Surround yourself with positive people. Not easy but its time to align yourself with life’s believers and movers, not the ones who always have an excuse. We only want positive energy!
  7. Know your race day pace -  You have practiced it in training and now want a reminder for the big day. Get a wrist band at the expo with the paces per mile listed for YOUR goal.
  8. That sluggish feeling - Don’t worry if you feel tired on the final training runs. When the gun goes on race day you will feel great. We all feel like this.
  9. The first miles - Control your race pace and ease your way into the first few miles. Enjoy being a runner.......but keep the control
  10. Keep that focus - run to the target, no quicker. Remember, the marathon starts at 20 miles............and the every step before this point is just transport. Keep to the drink and gel strategy you practiced in training.
  11. Remember your best – focus on your 3 best long runs, 3 best training sessions and why you are running. Make the last 6 miles your best…and make the result inevitable.
  12. Its time to smile - and punch the air as you cross the finish line. Its your day and you have made this journey happen. Wear that medal with pride!

For mor coaching advice and tips and lots of other running content click through to the runningwithus website.