Women's Running March 2021

March 8th is International Women’s Day. A day for us to celebrate achievement, strength and courage, both within our running community and across humanity as a whole. We’re in the glorious position of celebrating women on every page of this magazine, but we wanted to go one better and highlight some of the women who inspired us to run in the first place, who continue to inspire us to strive for longer distances, and to appreciate the power in our legs and the joy in our hearts. Turn to page 30 to revel in their magnificence. But International Women’s Day is also a time for reflection. We know that the pandemic has been challenging for most of us, but also that there are women and children out there who have, as…

Keri Wallace Keri is co-director and running guide at Girls on Hills. She is a qualified Mountain Leader specialising in fell and skyrunning. Through Girls on Hills, Keri seeks to empower women with the skills and confidence necessary to explore their limits in disciplines such as mountain running and ultra-running, as well as challenge the gender gap in participation present in these sports. This issue, Keri explores how ultras are within reach of us all on page 42. Louise Pyne Louise is a qualified nutritionist and experienced freelance health writer. She’s interested in all aspects of women’s health and fitness and takes a holistic approach to wellness, creating bespoke diet plans for people looking to improve their lifestyle. This issue, she looked at the thorny issue of sleep, something many of us have…

GENDER EQUALITY FOR ALL RACES A new survey by UK Athletics looks to settle the issue of equal distances in cross-country running In January, UK Athletics (UKA) surveyed the cross-country community – athletes and competition providers – on how to provide equal opportunities for all participants at all levels. Th is subject has generated a lot of argument, both in support of, and against, equal distances for men and women in cross country. The premise of this survey is that in cross-country, equality between the sexes does not exist. Athletics is built on the tradition of men competing in longer distances than women, and in cross-country races, women are not allowed to run as far as men. RunEqual, the organisation campaigning for equal distances for all, says: “It’s now four years since Scotland equalised…

ISHGA ORGANIC SEAWEED BODY& HAND WASH £17, ISHGA.COM Created in the Hebridean islands, this gorgeous wash is bursting with potent seaweed extract to boost your skin antioxidants. NUASAN ACTIVE BODY WASH £19.99, NUASAN.COM Enriched with arnica and magnesium to relieve sore muscles, plus L+pH control to balance your skin’s pH level. Q&A PEPPERMINT DAILY CLEANSER £7.50, HOLLANDANDBARRETT.COM Treat yourself to this zingy, fresh and light cleanser that will keep your skin happy, balanced and hydrated through training.…

Wind and rain be gone A really versatile top from the On range: the innovative Trail Breaker will protect you on every run with its breathable, protective and water-repellent zones to stop wind and rain getting to you. It has a ventilating mesh back panel to pull moisture away from your body too. For us, this top is a winner due to its impeccable design and details, namely a watch window in the sleeves, plus thumbholes and mitts, as well as a high chin zip and soft collar. Suited to the track, showery intervals or longer runs out on the trails. £160, on-running.com Warm your tootsies in these Skechers Max Cushioning Elite Wind Chill shoe offers premium features at a very affordable price. This maximum-cushioned shoe has a leather upper with mesh fabric panels…

When’s the last time you had a really good sleep? When you woke up from slumber so deep it showed on your face? The drool and the creases, the stray hairs and the smushed face. Perhaps you can recall sleeping soundlessly every night as a kid. “Brain health, fat loss, muscle mass, immunity, running endurance: all these benefit from reliably good sleep,” says Joe Welstead, co-founder of Motion Nutrition (motionnutrition.com). “It may seem counterintuitive, but the first thing to consider in order to improve your sleep is not how you end your day, but how you start it,” he continues. “The task here is simple: take your life back from coffee. “The reason coffee (or black tea) gives you a buzz is that it makes you produce adrenaline. If you’re tired, you might…