Last month we ran a competition with our friends at Polar to give ten of you expert marathon coaching. Meet our squad and see how they're getting on...
Last month, Women’s Running teamed up with wearable sports and heart rate technology brand, Polar, to offer ten readers the chance to win an exclusive marathon training package, including everything they need to become event-ready and able to reach their training goals.
The prize included the latest Polar GPS watch the Vantage M2, Saucony trainers, a personalised training plan and 1-2-1 coaching with Polar’s Head of Endurance, Nick Anderson.
Nick is a highly respected England Athletics endurance coach and with 25 years of training under his belt, there isn’t much that he can’t help our winners achieve – whether striving for a PB or understanding how to train for their first ever event.
Over the next few months, we will be following our competition winners as they progress through their training plans right up to race day. Let’s meet the winners and find out more about what they’re hoping to achieve…
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Alice
Age: 42
Running for: 11 years
PBs: Half marathon 1hr 49 minutes, full marathon 4hrs 32 minutes
October marathon: The virtual London Marathon
What are you hoping to achieve from the training programme with Polar? “I‘d love to improve my performance by getting faster and stronger. I’d like support with managing time, nutrition tips and better knowledge about how to fuel my body.”
Amy
Age: 29
Running for: 6 years
PBs: Half marathon 1hr 47 minutes, full marathon 3hrs 52 minutes
October marathon: Manchester Marathon
What are you hoping to achieve from the training programme with Polar? “My short-term goal is a sub 3hr45 marathon. Longer-term I would love to run 100 miles in 24hrs at Endure. I am hoping the programme will help me to maintain focus during the training period, encourage me to push myself beyond my comfort zone and provide an accountability element to the training.”
Felicity
Age: 30
Running for: 5 years
PBs: Half marathon 1hr 56 minutes, trail marathon 6hrs 30 minutes
October marathon: Endurance Life Sussex trail marathon
What are you hoping to achieve from the training programme with Polar? “My short-term goal would be to improve my running technique with a long-term view to improve my overall pace and stamina. I’m hoping the training will help me to focus on the right things to get a better technique and increase speed. Guidance on cross-training, strength training would be great, and I’d like advice on how to improve body conditioning.”
Finola
Age: 50
Running for: 3 years
PBs: Half marathon 2hrs 21 minutes
October marathon: Various trail races
What are you hoping to achieve from the training programme with Polar? “I want to be able to run a marathon with ease. I’d like the training programme to give me more focus and help me to work on how to be a more ‘complete’ runner.”
Laura
Age: 39
Running for: 6 years
PBs: 10k 56 minutes 20 seconds
October marathon: Stirling Marathon
What are you hoping to achieve from the training programme with Polar? “I’d like to run the marathon in sub 4 hours 55 minutes. The Polar programme will provide structure to my runs and will help to make my runs much more effective.”
Poppy
Age: 42
Running for: 3 months
October marathon: Chichester Half Marathon
What are you hoping to achieve from the training programme with Polar? “I started running to help improve my fitness, stamina, and health. I’ve only been running for a short time; however, I’ll be seeking motivation from the coaching and training programme.”
Sabrina
Age: 33
Running for: 6 months
October marathon: London Marathon
What are you hoping to achieve from the training programme with Polar? “I have five races booked over the next few months. I’m hoping to build a structure to my running, consistency, and accountability.”
Sophie
Age: 30
Running for: 5 years
PBs: 10k 56 minutes and half-marathon 2hrs 13 minutes
October marathon: Virtual London Marathon
What are you hoping to achieve from the training programme with Polar? “To make it through the marathon, I don’t mind what time I get! I’m hoping the programme will provide me with accountability to make sure I do the training, support when things go wrong and advice on running techniques.”
Sarah
Age: 37
Running for: 6/7 years
PBs: Half-marathon 1hr 40 minutes, full marathon 3hrs 45 minutes
October marathon: London Marathon
What are you hoping to achieve from the training programme with Polar? “In the short term to complete the London Marathon in October. Long term, to get back to the speed and consistency I had when I set my PBS in 2016. I need more consistency, more challenge, and more structure with my training. I lack speed and threshold training at present, and I know that’s vital in building my long run speed back.”
Trina
Age: 42
Years running: 4 years
PBs: Marathon 4hrs 57 minutes
October marathon: London Marathon
What are you hoping to achieve from the training programme with Polar? “My focus is to train smart and run injury-free. Which includes not just running but on the strengthening work and recovery days. I’m looking forward to having a structured plan, support and knowing the programme will provide me with accountability.”
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Nick Anderson, Head of Endurance at Polar, comments, “We have ten great winners on the programme, all at different stages in their running journey and all running for different reasons and events. The first four weeks of training will be focused on getting into their individual training plans and getting the balance between training, nutrition, and recovery right. We have tailored the plans to each runner where they will be carrying out several easy and threshold runs, we will also be building their long runs carefully and monitoring sleep and energy levels throughout the journey, helping them to have recovery and injury-free running as well as a successful marathon in October. I for one, can’t wait to get started!”
Follow Polar on Instagram to stay up-to-date with the team’s progress.
