Momentum Sports Running Blog

The Momentum Sports Running Blog

Running Blogger — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 17:00:00 +0000

Welcome to the New Running Blog from Momentum Sports.

We'll be post our thoughts about everything running here, with news, tips, and general musings over the coming months and years.

Whether you are a sprinter, a marathon runner, or somewhere in between - or even just a fan of the sport, we aim to keep you entertained and informed. Part of that is for you to let us know what you are thinking about the posting we make - if it is great, we'd like to know, equally if there is something you don't like, we are quite thick skinned and can take constructive criticism.

Enjoy the blog and, of course, your running.

2009 - How cold has it been!!

Running Blogger — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 10:43:00 +0000

The first two weeks of this year have been as cold as any in recent times and just getting out to do your running has been an achievement in itself.

Even after it warmed up on Sunday, being out coaching for 3 hours (in the sun - in the afternoon) it took several cups of cocoa and a nice warm pair of slippers to warm this old coach up.

So, well done to all those who have stuck to New Years' Resolutions to get fit. If you have stuck with it this far, then things are looking good for you having made a real lifestyle change and having put yourself on the road to a fitter, healthier you.

If not, then why no pretend the New Year starts now - it is much warmer and there is much less ice on the pavements to slip on.

If you are looking for a little extra help, either in motivating yourself, or to knock time off your Pbs, then we can help - why not have a look at our <a href="http://www.momentumsports.co.uk/TrIntroduction.asp">Online Coaching Information</a> to see if this is something that might be beneficial to you.

Many of the athletes we coach are now turning their attention to upcoming races, whether they be indoors, over the country or preparing for something like the London Marathon. It is an exciting time of year as you feel these things are now only just around the corner.

Happy Running to Everyone.

Help Choosing the Kit that is Best for YOU

Running Blogger — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 16:12:00 +0000

We can now announce that all of the reviews to help you choose the right kit for you for your running have now been completed on the main website.

There is a wide range of reviews on all types of clothing, shoes, spikes and all the equipment and gadgets that you could need.

We hope that you'll find these really useful and that they give a runners insight into the important things to look out for, as well as the features which are not really necessary. If there is anything in these articles that you would like adding to or change, please don't hesitate to let us know. We are always looking to make all the information on the Momentum Sports website as thorough and useful as possible. Here are some of the pages you might be interested in.

Weight Training Equipment

Stopwatches

Cross Trainers

Have fun!!!!

Moving Athlete Performances Forwards

Running Blogger — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 11:07:00 +0000

Here are Momentum Sports we spend a lot of time trying to make sure that we offer the best possible advice and help to all of our runners, whether they be training at Kingston in Surrey or through the website.

It is important to us that we stay abreast of the latest in training methods and anything else (from across a range of sports) that might help our athletes to run faster.

Obviously, there is a limit to what can be done for an individual, as much of the determination and ambition comes from within, but that needs to be steered in the right direction and supported as much as possible.

We are looking to enhance our team of experts over the coming months to include specialists in different fields to help our athletes, so we'd like to offer help with nutrition, physiology, medical back-up etc. The first step to doing this is going to be to bring in a sports masseur to the Kingston athletes to help maintain and improve them physically, trying to reduce the risk of injury and improve the functionality of muscles. If you might be interested in being that masseur, please get in touch with us at coaches@momentumsports.co.uk and we can discuss what we are looking for and money that is available to get you involved.

Treadmills - how to pick one

Running Blogger — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 14:39:00 +0000

We have been working hard recently on helping people to pick various pieces of kit for their running.

One of the first to go up is the page on treadmill running which give a guide as to what to look for when you are choosing a treadmill to go in your home gym.

There are quite a few criteria to think about, when making sure that you get the best value treadmill for what you are looking for.

There are other pages about other pieces of kits as well which we'll return to in the future.

Life feels like a bit of a treadmill at the moment with lots happening for Momentum Sports. We have a record number of athletes on our books and have been working hard at establishing our ever increasing presence on the internet. The last two months have seen the best two months of visitors we have ever had - in fact we are now getting about 5 times as many visitors as just over a year ago.

Please do keep on coming to see us!

Momentum Sports Live!

Running Blogger — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 16:43:00 +0000

We have asked around to see what people wanted from a running website. Generally, we seem to be doing okay here at Momentum Sports in providing the sorts of information that people we telling us they wanted.

However, we did here quite a bit that people also wanted to be entertained a bit more and have a site that complements the wealth of information and knowledge that we supply and the informed coaching, with a bit more fun.

So we thought.....

and we thought a bit more....

and finally we came up with Momentum Sports Live!

It is a whole website devoted to you and your running friends in a social site that gives many of the advantages of others such site, like Facebook - but with the massive advantage that you know everyone on there shares your passion for running.

Make friends, meet up with friends online, post videos and pictures, write a blog, create groups, play games, add widgets, run events - the world if your oyster.

So why not visit Momentum Sports Live and see what all the fuss is about. Get your friends involved too.

So much to do - so little time

Running Blogger — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 12:19:00 +0100

Back in the good old days, before cars, television, hobbies, sport etc. life was really simple. You woke up, you worked, you ate, you went to bed.

Now, everything is so much more complicated and even in the field of sport there is so much choice out there that it is very hard to know what is right for you.

So - how to choose?

Do you want to be part of a team, or in an individual sport (which can also be part of a team - just to complicate things further!). Do you want to get fitter as a result of what you do? Does the sport need to be cheap or can you buy lots of equipment? Do you like power or endurance sports? How much time do you have (want to make available) for you activity?

No - don't call me biased, but I think all of these questions lead to just one possible answer. You should be running!!!! What? Me - biased - I can't believe you would say that.

Seriously, running is a great sport which can take in sprinters all the way up to ultra-distance runners. You do an individual sport, but often as part of a team. You meet great people and get fit. You can indulge your competitive spirit against others or even just yourself.

What could be better!

So, grab your trainers and get running - the more you do the more you'll love it.

Running is Recession Proof

Running Blogger — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 14:52:00 +0100

In these days of massive turmoil in the banks and money markets and with the UK (and probably the rest of the world) heading into what looks like a pretty hefty recession, non-essential spending is often (quite rightly) the first part of the budget to be trimmed when households are looking at ways to make savings.

Many sports are hugely expensive and need to be as the facilities required are extensive and often supervision is needed to help you get the best from the sport. A round of golf is often £30, a climbing lesson a similar prices, a days go-karting can be upwards of £100. Even a sports, which is closely associated with running, such as triathlon - has potentially large costs associated with it - for example race fees are often £50-£80 and a decent bike is upwards of £1500.

So, it is good to know that running and athletics remain a fantastic value option for all the family to get out and keep fit and hopefully enjoy a bit of healthy competition too. All you need are a pair a trainers, and some clothing and you can run for free after that. A total outlay of maybe £60-80.

For those who are a little more serious, a track pass to your local track, the above kit, maybe a pair of spikes and membership to an athletics club, which can provide you all the competition needs you might have in the course of a year will come in at about £6-8 / week.

So, what is stopping you, get yourself out in your local park, to the local track, onto the internet for more information (I've heard Momentum Sports is a good place to start!) and get running it is good for your health, a great way to enjoy a challenge, to meet people no matter what age you are.

Running 20 times as far as normal!

Running Blogger — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 16:57:00 +0100

Last weekend I entered a 5 mile cross-country race with several other Momentum Sports athletes. Unfortunately, this is 20 times as far as I normal race - so 5% into it I was starting to hope for the finish line!

Only by setting off VERY steadily, did I manage to make it round what was a pretty hilly course in a vaguely respectable 36.45mins. It was a little disconcerting that I was beaten by 3 minutes by a guy in his mid-60s, but he is a quality runner. I was an even more distant 8 minutes behind the winner of the race!

Despite feeling like it would never end and hoping a big hole would swallow me up for much of the race (or at least someone would chuck a nice big bucket of water over me as it was a very warm day), in retrospect it was pretty good fun. I had a good tussle with 4 others - beating two in the end and losing out to the other two.

As this is a once yearly thing for me - I am now fully fuelled up with banter for a while and will definitely be back in 12 months time (in which time I'll have run lots of my preferred 400m distance!).

Remember, for all your running banter try our new social website Momentum Sports Live.

Keep on running...

The brave new world of Social Networks

Running Blogger — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 10:30:00 +0100

Momentum Sports is pleased to announce that we have created the social network to end all social networks - all for runners.

That may not strictly be true - but it is a great new tool for keeping in touch with all your running friends, having a bit of banter about achievements, discuss training or the latest kit or even just to show pictures of your running (or anything else.

Have a play with it and see what you think - we are still developing it, so are open to suggestions as to improvements that we can make.

The site is at Momentum Sports Live

Enjoy!!