Alternative to Running in the Snow

There has been a lot of snow about the last few weeks and this can play havoc with all the training plans. The treadmill is a great alternative that allows you to keep on training whatever the weather. 
It is a real asset if you have one in your own home, but if you have not then there are plenty of sports centres and gyms about that will allow you to use their equipment for a nominal fee. This is really the only alternative when the snow is really heavy and blocking up all the roads that you would normally run on. Running on a treadmill is quite a bit different from running on the road. One thing that you have to get used to is the sense of movement as you run. You can easily become unbalanced at first and it is quite a strange feeling. The other observation would be that it gets quite warm and it can feel quite stuffy in comparison to running outdoors. Having said that, running on the treadmill does allow you to continue training and this is obviously the way to go for any who are on a programme or heading towards their first race.

Does it matter when I start Running

 

Running is very popular and it can benefit youngsters greatly to have an early start in the sport.

Anyone who has shown exceptional potential in their running should have been noticed and taken under the wing of some experienced coach. This is invaluable for the ongoing development of any person who aspires to run competitively. From their teenage years through to the end of their twenties would be regarded as the most likely period when races and medals would be won. At this period the body is going towards its peak of fitness and although many may still be top class runners well into their thirties, this is the period where many shine and begin to see some reward for all the hard work done in earlier years. 

 When progressing through the thirties and into the forties the body starts to change in certain ways and depending on the type of running being undertaken it can manifest itself in a slowing of times or a lack of achieving what was expected. This would certainly be more true of the shorter distance races and many top class athletes often move up from the shorter distances to the longer ones like the marathon because of this.

Into the fifties and sixties and things in the body definitely start to affect the ability to perform. One of the biggest at this time is the slowing of pace. Many find that their bodies cannot maintain the level that they once could. This need not be a negative, but has to be recognised for what it is and adjustments made.

When choosing which distance to start running, the 5k is a very good one inasmuch as it is not too long and can be run in around thirty minutes for anyone with a reasonable level of fitness. Another attraction is that it does not take very long from being a complete novice to being able to run the 5k distance.