BLOG: Fitness coach Jamie Kennedy on starting your Pennine 10k training

Whether you’re new to running or a seasoned pro, the first task in preparing for the Pennine Lancashire 10k is to know the terrain you will be running in order to train and prepare accordingly.
Fitness coach Jamie Kennedy at FX Fitness Experience in Burnley.
Photo Ben ParsonsFitness coach Jamie Kennedy at FX Fitness Experience in Burnley.
Photo Ben Parsons
Fitness coach Jamie Kennedy at FX Fitness Experience in Burnley. Photo Ben Parsons

On reviewing the route map you will have realised that this is not a flat run. It takes us through some fantastic areas of the town with some great countryside you may be unfamiliar with. The challenge is however that many of the most scenic views are only seen from the top of some of the hills along the route.

I have been asked to help anyone taking part in the run to prepare the best way they can and have used my six years experience as a personal trainer to devise a training framework for success.

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Your first consideration and step one of your preparation, if you’re thinking of taking part in this run, is to make sure it is safe for you to do so. You need to take account of any injuries or other limitations.

If you are unsure of this you should always seek medical guidance.

The next step is for you to get out and give the route a go – or at least part of it. This will help you to assess any areas you need to work on and how to pace yourself for the run. This is really important even for the first timer.

To gauge your current level of fitness you could firstly try a test called the Rockport Walk Test. This test is often used for complete beginners and it involves walking one mile and recording your time. A more common test we use is called the Cooper Run Test and requires the participant to get as far as possible by walking or running within 12 minutes. Both of these tests can be found on the internet.

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For those of you who are regular runners and maybe want to improve your time over the 10k distance I would suggest you time running the route as soon as possible then adapt your training according to what part of the race you found most challenging or difficult.

I will be happy to advise anyone on their training programme in preparation for the run so please feel free to email [email protected] or make a appointment to call up and see me at The Fitness Experience personal training centre.

My next blog will cover training for coping with those hills along the route.

You can still sign up to run the Jane Tomlinson Pennine Lancashire 10k which takes place in Burnley on Sunday, June 2nd, by visiting www.forallevents.co.uk.

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