I first did the GNR in 2006 when I studying for my first fitness qualification. At that stage, I was just venturing back into fitness, so my training for the run that year comprised of…….running! As entrant number 50489, I finished in a time of 2 hours and 37 minutes, 37 seconds with a finishing position of 29563. I was not able to run all of the race; I ran the first 8 miles, walked to mile 9, then power walk/jogged between miles 9 – 12 and ran the last mile to the finishing line. What a difference 3 years make…

Let’s fast forward to 2009 and by now I am a qualified personal trainer. My main goal for this year’s GNR was to run all of it and hopefully, shorten my time in the process. As my race result shows, I achieved my goal. The key difference between this attempt and the one in 2006 was how I prepared for the race and it is these differences that I want to share with you.

For me, I can summon up the difference in one word – circuits. Circuit training is the key to training effectively, as well as running. Any running book will tell you that alongside your running training (hill, interval, fartlek, speed drills), you need to incorporate resistance training and plyometrics. As a first time half marathon runner, this can seem impossibly overwhelming, especially if you’re also holding down a full time job. How do you possibly fit it all in?

A good circuit’s class will give you speed, resistance and plyometric training all in one session. Since 2007 I have taught circuits, however since 2008, I have actually attended circuit training classes as part of my own fitness training*. I believe the big difference between my half marathon attempts in 2006 and 2009 was the increase in my base fitness level, which I attribute almost entirely to circuits. How do I know this? The longest training run I did for the 2009 event was 7 miles and that was in June. For various reasons my distance runs didn’t progress beyond 7 miles (note: this was far from ideal and not what I would normally recommend for someone training for a half marathon – Bupa recommends that you should be able to run a minimum of 8 miles prior to the event). However I have consistently attended circuits on a weekly basis since the beginning of 2008 and I was confident that my overall fitness level would see me round on the day, which it did. This year’s Bupa GNR was far more satisfying than in 2006, and I’m already looking forward to having another go in 2010, hopefully this time finishing sub 2 hours. 

* My weekly fitness training, because of work with clients, also included cycling and running.

** Linda teaches circuits at Bourne Leisure Centre, every Tuesday evening between 7.00 pm and 8.00 pm.