Most runners want to just go out and run, enter the local 10k race, and the odd marathon, and will never run at an ‘easy pace’. Or the thought is that its ‘just’ a run.

Typically as the nights draw in, and it starts to get cold and wet we use these as a reason not to go out and run, but there are quite a few good reasons to get out there and keep the milage going, and you don’t need to stop just because its dark and wet outside.

Its very easy to commit to training, getting into a good routine, good consistency, and the great feeling that comes with training, getting fitter and running faster.

To maintain your progressing fitness there are a few things to just be aware of, to avoid slipping up and allow you to continue on that nice steady progression.

Hi everyone, this will be a two part blog about periodisation because it is an in-depth subject to talk about. I form this blog on my knowledge of the subject, personal experience, coaching experience, and experience of other coaches and athletes. I have had input from Stephen Pearson, who is a lead tutor for UKA and coached athletes at international level, he is head coach of Horwich RMI Harriers, a mountain leader and has completed LMM and Bob Graham.

I have recently had an injury which has stopped me running all together, which for all of us runners, is the most frustration thing that can happen, because it’s our release, our space, our bit of freedom from the hustle and bustle of life. This got me focusing on strength and conditioning, stretching, and having treatment and massage, which, even for a coach, gives you an opportunity to refocus and think about the bigger picture.

You find yourself looking at some events and races, maybe your first 10k or half marathon, or maybe a bucket list ultra or trail/fell running event, you find an ideal one in 6 months’ time thinking about how much training you will need to do, then you find one of the popular running magazines or websites and find a training plan. You then look at the plan and think, ‘how can I fit this all in’, ‘what about fitting it in round my job’, ‘do I have to miss my fitness classes I love to do’.

Everyone loves a good HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) session, which pushes you and gets you to the end feeling like you’ve had a great workout. Gyms and PT’s everywhere have morning and evening sessions/classes, body weight, weighted, motivated by great fitness instructors and music. But what is HIIT? Where did it come from? And how has it evolved? And finally what should HIIT be used for?

The trail zone was a huge success with loads of people interested, talking to us coaches and leaders, asking advice, and finding out more about what we do.

Fell running is a sport found in the hills and fells of England, away from the urban environment, read how Trail running coach brings the experience of the fells to the doorstep of the urban environment of Birmingham.

For a very short race, the Middletown Hill Fell race can only be described in one word - brutal. I don’t think you will find a race that covers just 1.7mile, covering 1250ft climb, and takes longer than a park run to finish.

I was only 18 miles in but my muscles were showing signs of cramp and I was hungry.