THOOSA INSPIRED

Thoosa inspired hopes to celebrate runners from all walks of life, hopefully from different parts of the country, even the world. We thought we’d start with a few runners who we know and who have truly helped and inspired, not just in the running stakes but in life in general. Starting us off is Serena Martin. Only just in her mid-twenties, she’s run heaps of half-marathons and last year completed the London Marathon. She’s raised masses of money for charity in the process. In addition, rather annoyingly, she turns out to be one of the best and funniest people we have had the pleasure to meet.

1. When did you start running and why?
I started when I was 16, I remember one Christmas deciding to run every other day, not because I enjoyed it at the time but I wanted to set myself a challenge to get fit and I think I might have fancied some pre-pubescent boy or something so thought this was my way of becoming some honed toned goddess in time for a party where said boy would be (!) (needless to say this objective bombed miserably but I think I then realised I enjoyed running so it was then something I continued doing).

2. Why is running more appealing to you than other forms of exercise?
It’s a lot more accessible than other forms of exercise in that you can just put on your trainers and go and so if you’re busy it’s a great way to stay fit and slot it into a busy day. On top of that if you are busy and have a hectic week it’s a great time to just unwind a bit and think about totally different things. I always run with an iPod mainly because I'm a real daydreamer and like to listen to (mainly crap!) music and just ponder away in my own little world for a bit!

3. What has been your biggest challenge as a runner?
I know it sounds cliché and deeply unoriginal but it was training for the London marathon. I mainly run as a stress relief; to think about things and clear my head and don’t usually push myself too much (as in when I get tired I 'look for a different song on my iPod' mainly, I admit, to rest a bit!) So suddenly being forced to run long distances consistently, every weekend, throughout the winter was a real challenge because it was no longer a voluntary escape but a necessity, and a big fun hoover in the weekend! Not only was the run up to the marathon tricky but also motivating myself after the run was really hard, my running mojo was seriously dented and it took about a year until I wanted to run again!

4. Whilst running what has been your most memorable moment?
That’s hard because there have been many good ones, I used to run from Kew Gardens to Richmond in the morning and it’s beautiful if it’s a misty morning and you’re running along the river before people are up. I also like to go on runs when I am travelling because it’s a great way to see a new place quickly. I have a spatial awareness problem (medical I reckon but as yet undiagnosed) and so I often go for runs and get hopelessly lost. These are memorable but for the wrong reasons...

5. Where is your favourite place to run?
Don’t have one, I love running new places but am SO bad at finding my way (see above) that it’s a mixed blessing because I never know if and when I might get back. Countryside though, definitely, and preferably next to water.

6. Do you find that running helps you in other areas of your life, for instance work?
I am a grumpy git if I haven’t been for a run for a while so yes it probably does help me socially!

7. What makes you pull yourself out of bed in the dark winter mornings and get outside?
Not wanting to be a grumpy git (see 6)

8. What’s your favourite way to unwind after a run?
Never really thought about it...I suppose toast and tea is nice. Or going to the pub (waaaey lad!) it’s actually a great way of being a cheap date, I’m sure each drink has double the effect after a run....

9. No counting calories, what’s your favourite guilty treat?
Am clinically addicted to sweet things this is too hard. Chocolate banoffee pie takes a hell of a lot of beating.

10. Running is often thought of as quite an isolated sport, but you can meet heaps of people as a regular runner. Who’s the most interesting person you’ve met whilst running and why?
Graham Norton - because i physically ran into him. as in crashed into him mid run. He looked highly un-amused and like he had been slapped in the face with a wet fish (to be fair I probably didn’t smell much better) but it was a genuine mistake, he shot out from behind a van as I was running past and scrutinising iPod at the same time so wasn’t looking where I was going. I don’t think we are lifelong buddies following the experience so I am not sure this really counts....

11. Finally, what your favourite piece of thoosa kit and why?
I shall definitely be investing in a Chill Hoody for winter. The hood seems so snug and I love the mitten cuffs to keep my hands cosy. It will definitely make a cold winter morning run a lot more appealing and stylish!

GORILLAS IN THE ... CITY

If you went down to the City of London yesterday ... you were in for a big surprise. Gorillas had taken over town. Over 1000 runners, dressed as gorillas, were taking part in the annual 7km Great Gorilla Run. All participants run in aid of The Gorilla Organisation, who work to save the world’s last remaining gorillas from extinction.

To find out about this organisation, and to learn about the other events that you could get involved in on their behalf, take a look at their website (http://www.greatgorillas.org). Huge hairy ape congratulations to everyone who ran.

THOOSA'S FAVOURITE FIVE ... NUTRITIONAL TIPS

This week, we have collated a list of our five favourite nutritional tips from a selection of some of our favourite health and fitness and running magazines.

1) According to Dr Carrie Ruxton, drinking four cups of milky tea a day is as hydrating as water. Good news for all tea lovers. If only cake was as healthy as carrots!

2) Cashew Nuts may be the perfect weapon to ward off afternoon fatigue. Apparently a 50g serving provides one fifth of a woman’s daily iron requirements. Kelly Holmes is a massive fan, claiming that this healthy snacked helped her stave off tiredness in the Athens Olympic in 2004. The perfect afternoon snack.

3) Cherries are the new superfood that, experts suggest, may fight off winter colds. Packed full of powerful antioxidants, research has shown that they boost immunity. Get stocked up before the cold sets in.

4) The mid-morning coffee break just got all the more important. Researchers from Coventry University have shown that several cups of strong coffee improve endurance ability and strength during low to moderate intensity activity.

5) If calorie counting, and burning, is your thing then move away from pounding the pavements and start running challenge trails. Rough terrain can burn up to 26% more calories than road running.

THE BEGINNER'S BLOG - GETTING STARTED

So, getting started. I have armed myself with some beautiful new kit, thoosa of course. It still being fairly mild outside, I chose a City tank and City capri both in rose (pictured right). The tank’s neckline is really flattering as it isn’t tight on the waistline. Also I thought the pretty ruche detail would help me still feel vaguely feminine, whilst probably looking like a sweaty mess. And, to prevent me from becoming, ‘all the gear with no idea’ girl, I have armed myself with stacks of running and health magazines, and a beginner’s guide.

Immersing myself in magazines completely helped in motivating me. If you’re thinking of taking up running I cannot recommend it enough. It made me feel enthusiastic and fall in love with the idea of running before I even set out the door.
Having done some research I have decided to follow the running4women beginner’s guide (http://www.running4women.com/category/starting-out/training-programmes/). I found them to be really clear, and they seemed to have realistic, achievable goals that didn’t overwhelm.

With my music blasting I was away. I decided to not stray too far from home. The park opposite my flat is familiar enough not make me feel daunted or to get lost in. I started off walking, just like the guide suggested. I’m not sure if I lasted the whole five minutes as I found my feet were actually itching to go a little faster. The good thing was that once I set a steady pace and had kept it up for a few minutes I didn’t feel guilty about walking again, as I knew this was all part of my plan. Twenty minutes later I felt pleasantly exhausted, a sweaty mess, as predicted. Walking back to my flat I found myself smiling. Perfect, ‘I’m back’ I thought to myself. I’m actually looking forward to my next run!

Pippa

THE THOOSA REVIEW

Thoosa reviews the October issue of Body Fit

A health magazine rather than specifically aimed at running, this was actually great to read after a run. Once the exhaustion has evaporated and the mental high kicks in, read this. You will think that you can tackle just about any sport or challenge. And you will be inspired to try many activities that you have perhaps only heard of.

There are fantastic articles ranging from the wonders of aqua aerobics to “Team Trails”, where Laura Jones this month tested out the new craze of a Jukari Fit to Flex class. The Jukari work-out focuses on graceful movements that aim to improve flexibility, coordination and muscle tone. The Jukari band, similar to a resistance band, was designed to enhance efforts in class by providing added tension, and it seemed to work. Laura rated the one hour class 5/5. From a running perspective this sounds like a fun work-out that would complement your cardio exercise and assist you in building up resistance and stretching. As Laura herself points out, these areas can often be neglected from a training perspective.

Amazingly the technique was inspired by Cirque du Soleil and it’s encouraged that whilst exercising you focus on the concept that the work-out is a performance as well as a fitness activity. This apparently keeps you focused on your posture and moving correctly. It definitely sounds intriguing, and certainly makes a change from the yoga-fanatics. If you decide to give this a go apparently you will be in good company, Kelly Brook and Helena Christensen are both said to be fans.

The “Fuel up” pages are excellent. As opposed to regular magazines (that often focuses on the latest diet) it’s refreshing to read health magazines. They seem to identify food as a fuel and identify the nutritional elements of the food, the benefits that you will feel and the obvious knock-on effects that eating it may have on your training.

My favourite fact in this issue is that a recent study suggests that chocolate milk may make a better post-workout drink than sports drink. Thank goodness for William Lunn from the University of Connecticut, the exercise scientist has found that the protein/carbohydrates combination found in low fat chocolate milk drinks are great for refuelling tired muscles, sounds good to me.

THE BEGINNER'S BLOG - THE CONFESSION

As the new member of the Thoosa team I have to start with a huge confession. I haven’t actually run for over a year!

And when I try to explain why I stopped I go into a bit of a spin. About a year and a half ago I found myself feeling unhappy with my life, decisions I had made about pretty much everything from my career to my love life. As I embarked on my ritual Saturday morning run, all I could think of was how miserable I felt, and this seemed to manifest in me deciding that I was unhappy running. I wasn’t enjoying this activity that I used to find so exhilarating, suddenly I felt numb. I couldn’t hear the music pumping loudly in my ear, my thoughts overwhelmed everything. And so I stopped, full stop.

Having taken time out, filling too many Saturday mornings with hangovers and farmers markets, more favourably balanced towards hangovers, I have recently been yearning for something more. My feet have been twitching and I feel ready to get back on the horse, or pound the pavements in my case. Perhaps I have been seduced by that beautiful September new school feeling that never fails to inspire me this time of year, but the urge to get off the sofa and get outside was back. And this time I was going to try and do it properly.

Watch this space.

Pippa

THE THOOSA REVIEW

This week thoosa reviews issue 9 of Women’s Running

This does exactly what it says on the tin. Devoted entirely to women’s running it covers topics from, whether mental strength will improve your running, to women who run in their fifties and sixties.

For true inspiration read the tear jerking article about a group of friends in training for the Brighton Marathon in memory of their quite incredible friend Nicole Dryburgh. Nicole passed away this year, having fought a ten-year battle, from the age of eleven, with cancer. During her ordeal Nicole managed to raise more than £100,000 for Teenage Cancer Trust. Her friends will be running to raise money for this charity.

When asked how she feels “before and after a run” Charlotte Moat, a friend of Nicole’s, answers “Physically, I can feel pretty exhausted after a run, but emotionally I’m on a high”. Surely every runner can relate to this feeling, but in Charlotte’s case perhaps she feels it more? As she says, “If I feel like giving up, I think about Nicole’s determination and push myself harder”. If you’ve ever thought about running for a charity then this article won’t fail to motivate you.

“Seven reasons why running is good for you” was another great article that endeavoured to address recent controversial claims that running is bad for you, made by Greg Brookes, a London-based fitness trainer. Women’s Running analysed Brookes’ claims and attempted to find out the truth from scientific experts. The article managed to debunk Greg Brookes’ claims and come up with some pretty interesting facts along the way.

If you’re looking to feel inspired or just for some great tips about something that you love, then this magazine is for you. There’s not one article or snippet of information that I didn’t find interesting. In fact, as opposed to the thousands of fashion magazines that I’ve read this was a refreshing change. It is definitely more than just a ten minute flick through and look at the pictures magazine. The regular “health issues” pages are packed full of useful contacts and snippets of knowledge. You will even find some yummy recipes that look delicious, are easy to follow, and (!) specifically state the running benefits in eating them.

TIPS FOR A HEALTHY AUTUMN

TIP 1 - MAKE NEW FRIENDS

With the nights starting to draw-in it's easy to fall into the trap of letting your exercise routine take a back seat until Spring. If you're going to stay fit duing the winter, now is the time to form some good habits. Our tips are reasons to stay active during the cooler months so that you can stay healthy and then reap the rewards come the new year.

Human contact and companionship are important to all of us and it's never too late to make new friends. Joining a local running group is a great way to stay fit and be sociable at the same time. It's also a safe way to running during the short winter days.

There are women's running groups springing up all over the country. A good place to start is the Women's Running Network . There are also local groups under the umbrella of the Running Sisters . Running4women is also a good place to find a running companion in your area.