The LandAid 10K calls on runners of all abilities to join the race to end youth homelessness! Now with a new 5K course, there’s more than one way you can take part in property’s biggest running event. Ahead of this year’s race, we asked some of last year’s trophy winners for their top tips for race day success:
Michael Wright, Watts Group – Fastest Male Under 45 – on how to beat your personal best:
The key is to build your training up gradually. This will depend on where you are starting from in your fitness. If you have never done running before, don’t just go out and run a 10K as hard as you can. Perhaps go out for a 1K run nice and easy, and then the next week perhaps a 2K run, and so on. The quickest and surest way to injury is doing too much too soon. Once you are comfortable running a 10K distance, perhaps you can start running a 10K run a bit faster, and then faster the next time.
You will find the training a lot easier if you can do it in the company of other people, be they colleagues or friends. When your training becomes a social engagement as well as a training engagement, one does not notice the training so much! In addition, if you have agreed to meet some friends at a certain time for a run, you are less likely to cancel and go to the pub instead!
Pacing is also important. Use an online pace calculator to establish what pace you need to be running at to break your PB. On the basis that you are sufficiently fit to maintain that PB pace, you will likely find the first 5K very easy. It is much easier to run an even paced race, when compared to running the same distance but at an erratic pace, which will be more tiresome for the body. Obviously be realistic with your pacing and run plenty of training runs at your target pace (or faster) to ensure you are comfortable maintaining that pace for 7/8K and more.
Lois Bond, Knight Frank – Fastest Female Under 45 – on competing in the LandAid 10K:
One of the top tips I would give is to make sure you incorporate strength training into your training programme including hill runs and weights as the course is undulating. I would also encourage people to incorporate speed training which comes in useful over the later stages of the course!
During the race, trying to stick with the people in front of you and working off of them is useful and keeps you motivated throughout the run. A good night’s sleep and proper nutrition on the run up to the race is also important.
Jorge Mendonca, Grosvenor Britain & Ireland – Highest Individual Fundraiser – on boosting your fundraising:
My top tip would be to send an eye-catching, short fundraising email to your friends in the property sector. Explain what you are doing and why you are you doing it – and most importantly, make your email personal. For example, this year I’m carrying leg and shoulder injuries, making it difficult to run – so I want friends to support my effort in racing. You might want to share the highs (and lows) of your training as well, so your supporters really feel like they’re making the journey with you!
Once you’ve signed up, make sure you rally or nominate’ your colleagues to take on the journey with you. The more colleagues who join you, the higher your fundraising and the bigger difference you can make. Remember to check if your company will match your fundraising as well.