Suzy Street-Hall

Midland XC League (Fixture 2) 100% better performance!

Felt fitter, faster and stronger right from the off. Set to cruise control as soon as the gun went off. Sat in on the back of a pack, and overtook about ten runners in the first mile. I continued to work my way through the field, picking athletes off one by one throughout the race.Continue reading “Midland XC League (Fixture 2) 100% better performance!”

Running in Bratislava

This was my first trip abroad in years due to travel anxiety. It’s taken me five years to get to this point where I feel confident enough to travel, as air travel terrifies me. However, I was determined to conquer my fears through exposure therapy. So with the help of CBT (cognitive behaviour therapy) andContinue reading “Running in Bratislava”

Strength & Conditioning

So I’ve just started a new training block where I plan to incorporate some strength conditioning work as part of my schedule. I feel this will benefit my running, as I need to work on leg strength in order to develop the quads whilst getting those glutes firing. I’ve been struggling with tight hamstrings, whichContinue reading “Strength & Conditioning”

Throwback Thursday! – An Elite Start.

One of my fondest running memories is making the elite start line at the Great South 10mile Run in October 2012. Despite it being a bitterly cold day, I was determined to put my head on the chopping block, and attempt to race my way to a decent time. Position was irrelevant, as I didn’tContinue reading “Throwback Thursday! – An Elite Start.”

Midland XC League (fixture1) Mudfest!

9th November 2019 Midland Cross Country League (fixture one – Coundon Park, Coventry) was my first race back in over two years. Ironically, at the exact same venue as the last one on 11th November 2017. Nerves have been festering for days, but managed to keep a lid on it by distracting myself through variousContinue reading “Midland XC League (fixture1) Mudfest!”

Pre-race nerves and how to deal with them

And so it begins. As it gets’s closer to race day, I feel the jitters coming on… less than 48 hours to go until the first XC race of the season, coincidentally at the exact same venue as the last one I did two years ago (when I was considerably fitter). As I attempt to staveContinue reading “Pre-race nerves and how to deal with them”

Who is your toughest opponent?

Saturday’s park run got me thinking… why don’t I enjoy them? why do they fill me with anxiety? why do I avoid them? I deduced only true answer. Because I am up against me toughest opponent – myself. Parkrun to me is all about me, and beating my own time. From this, comes pressure. Pressure takes away theContinue reading “Who is your toughest opponent?”

Time Out

A year ago I wasn’t enjoying running, and felt I was going through the motions with both my training and racing. It became a clear to me that running had become a chore and had ceased to be enjoyment for me anymore. I no longer felt that fresh, focused, accomplished feeling I’d always felt afterContinue reading “Time Out”

Set backs – and how to deal with them.

Sometimes, set backs are the most difficult thing to deal with. It can be both frustrating and depressing. It can leave us wondering if we can ever get back on track. But if we use these times wisely and challenge our mindset, it can actually help to shape us as runners and with the rightContinue reading “Set backs – and how to deal with them.”

Don’t be a fool – follow the 10% rule.

So I’ve been training consistently now for ten weeks and achieved gradual progression. Attempted to keep to the 10% rule, by increasing my weekly mileage no more than 10% each week. This has allowed my body to slowly adapt to the demands of training and avoid risk of injuries or illness. I have been motivated by myContinue reading “Don’t be a fool – follow the 10% rule.”