You wake up and look outside. It’s a grey, drizzly, miserable morning. Typical British weather. You have a session or a run to do. Now, quite a lot of people would say oh I’ll give this one a miss. I’ll stay in bed. Staying in bed seems a much better, more enjoyable option, but when it comes to training for me, and many other athletes, NO is NOT an option. Whatever the weather, it has to be done. If the body feels fine, the weather isn’t a barrier.

I don’t deny that at times it is hard to motivate yourself, and you may not be particularly looking forward to the session or run ahead of you, but not doing it is never an option that runs through my head. I may find some days harder than others, but I still love what I’m doing, and the overall enjoyment outweighs the struggles. I would never not do my training. It is not an option in my eyes. It’s just a case of preparing yourself mentally for it.

Maintaining weight whilst training regularly can be a constant battle. What goes in usually ends up being expended. Therefore, it is difficult to ensure that enough fuel is put in the tank to avoid weight falling off. It is a struggle, but I am learning, and thankfully I am now at a stage where weight loss is not a problem, as long as I keep on top of it. My focus is on maintenance and if I put on a few pounds, it only acts as a security blanket to injury. Ensuring you are eating enough doesn’t have to be a chore, it can be enjoyable. It is what you make of it. I always believe it is better to eat more than you need than not enough.

So what do I do to ensure I keep the weight on?

Healthy fats. Nut butter, in particular Almond butter is something I now swear by. Not only is it high in calories, it is also super tasty!
I apply lashings of it to toast in the morning, and a large tablespoon to porridge oats, dip apple in it, mix it into yogurt. The possibilities are endless. Nut butters are such a good way to increase your calorie intake without even noticing. Avocado is another life saving ingredient. Served with eggs, on its own on toast, in sandwiches. I often use it as an alternative to butter in sandwiches as I don't like butter.

Lots of calcium. I am very conscious of taking in enough calcium rich foods. I had convinced myself I didn’t like anything with calcium in it, and stripped my diet of it. This was not a good move! We need calcium to maintain a good level of bone health. Calcium rich foods have now become my friend. I eat yogurt in tablespoons multiple times a day and I even eat it with curry. I add feta to pasta, I drink milk after every session and if I haven’t fallen asleep, I have another glass just before I go to sleep! One of my favouriteeee things is the homemade rice pudding my mum makes. So, when I’m lucky enough to be home for the weekend, I ensure I get a big batch made. It’s creamy heaven!
Carbohydrates. This has always been a food group I have never scrimped on. I LOVE carbs, and so should everybody else. Carbs are not something to be feared of. To us long-distance runners, they are golden. I eat carbs at all 3 meals of the day, and I wouldn’t ever not do that! If a salad is what you fancy, it isn’t complete until you have a nice, crispy, fresh loaf to go with it in my eyes. Otherwise, how is that supposed to fill me up?! I eat a lot of grainy bread, pasta, rice, you name the carb and I probably eat it! One, because I enjoy them, and two, because I need them. Carbs are not a ‘bad’ food. No food is bad, you just need everything in moderation and more of the foods that are going to repair and protect your bones and body. Carbohydrates help provide us with slow releasing energy, vital for long-distance runners.

This is just a little insight into what I do. What works for one person, may not work for another, but these are a few things I have found have helped me. There are lots of other ways I make sure I get enough nutrients throughout the day, but these are the key things I do.

How do you keep the weight on whilst training? Would love to hear from everyone!

This Saturday will be the first time in exactly two years I have pulled on my university vest. To be quite honest my memories in the vest aren’t the best, but I hope to set them straight this weekend at BUCS XC.

My first two BUCS XC experiences have not gone well to say the least, but let’s hope it’s third time lucky. To simply finish the race in one piece, with a smile on my face is all I am aiming for.

My first ever university cross country in first year was disastrous. It wasn’t until over a month later I found out I had been suffering from severe anaemia! No wonder it felt so difficult. I remember setting off on the start straight, only to be elbowed in the head on he first corner. Now, this would not phase me, but when you are tired, under fueled, and weak, a hit in the head is the last thing you want. The course that year was a relatively good one, speaking from present day me, but the Hannah two years ago, struggled to run 100m at any sort of pace, let alone in thick mud. I remember vividly making it to about 2k and seeing my mum and brother on the side and bursting into tears. I didn’t have the strength to compete in that sort of field. My mind felt it was capable of so much more than my body allowed. I went to the edge of the course, collapsed in my mum’s arms, only to be told, I had to get on with it. This was the sort of thing I needed! Tough love goes a long way!

She said to me… 'no one cares where you come, but for yourself, finish this race.’

And I was so pleased I did. Whilst my positioning is irrelevant, and I now know exactly why I ran so badly, I am forever grateful I finished that race. Sometimes we do races to prove to ourselves we are mentally strong enough. Whilst we may have the physical strength, it is the mental strength that matters the most. Although at that time, I did not possess the physical strength I needed, my mind did not let me give up, and I am so pleased I didn’t! ​