Taking place at our London HQ, doors open at 18:45 for an informative evening talking all things fuelling, specific to women’s running. We’ll chat about;
The talk is chaired by WMN RUN’s Vicki Lepadden (WMN RUN) panellists include experienced WMN RUN marathoners Sarah Funderburk and Emily Shannon, Co Founder of Veloforte Lara Giusti, and GB age group triathlete and coach Courtney Hyde.
Sign up here to secure your spot
When: Thursday 21st March
Time: 6:45 Arrival
Event location: SOAR, 107 Clifton St, London, EC2A 4LG
]]>Join us for eight invigorating Wednesdays featuring specialised sessions designed to boost your race fitness. Join forces with guest hosts, power up with our new nutrition partner OTE Sports, who will also host a race-fuelling workshop, and rack up rewards through our loyalty card scheme for each week you attend.
Soak up the good vibes, camaraderie, shared effort, and a collective goal to achieve race readiness.
Meet us every Wednesday at the SOAR Studio with a secure bag drop at 6:30 pm, and the run kicking off promptly at 6:45 pm.
The Highway to Hackney is tailored for two groups:
Runners aiming for 1h40m or faster.
Runners targeting 1h45m +
Guiding these runs will be esteemed friends of SOAR, including the SOAR Race Team, Peckham Pacers, Hot Boys Athletics, and more – seasoned runners with a wealth of training and racing expertise, alongside Team SOAR members.
Whether you're chasing a personal best or tackling your first half marathon, rest assured that you'll receive the guidance and camaraderie needed to excel.
It's entirely free, and we'll unveil each week's session details every Monday.
The series kicks off on March 27th and runs until May 15th. Join us at the SOAR studio from 6:20 pm for a secure bag drop, with the run starting promptly at 6:45 pm. All participants will need to sign our digital waiver before running with us, once that’s done it’s simply a case of lacing up and joining us on the Highway to Hackney.
Register your interest below:
By signing up I consent to receiving emails and offers from SOAR Running.
]]>To give you more motivation, we’re rewarding all SOAR Women for hard-earned personal bests achieved whilst wearing a SOAR Race/Crop Vest or Singlet (including custom SOAR club vests).
Run a verified PB between 1st March 24 and 31st May 24, and we’ll help you celebrate with a £50 SOAR credit.
Simply submit a link to your race result and a screen grab of your PB to Rebecca Taylor, (Strava, Coros App, Garmin Connect, Power of 10 etc), and we’ll be in touch with your reward by the end of the month.
Terms and Conditions:
Run a verified PB in a race on a certified and official course in SOAR race vest or crop race vest including custom to receive £50 SOAR credit.*
Each runner can claim only one PB Reward during the qualifying period.
PB must be run between 01 March 24 to 31 May 24.
PB must be run in a verified race, on an officially measured and certified course over one of the following distances: 5,000m / 5km, 10,000m / 10km, 10 miles, Half Marathon and Marathon.
Your SOAR Race Vest or Crop must be worn when the PB was set for the claim to be accepted.
Evidence of the PB must be provided by the claimant. Simply submit a link to your race result and a screen grab of your PB by emailing Rebecca Taylor at rebecca.t@soarrunning.com.
*The PB reward is £50 of credit, valid for 6 months, to be used at www.soarrunning.com and has no cash value.
]]>Paul Davis met Tim Soar in a small design studio decades ago. Their friendship continues to blossom all these years later.
]]>From the streets of Tokyo to the high Atlas Mountains, England's Peak District to London's home roads, the Highlands of Scotland to NYC's urban jungle.
Here's to 2024 and the path ahead.
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As 2023 draws to a close we take our now annual moment to look back on the last 12 months of SOAR. The places we've run, the clothes we've worn and the people we've shared miles with.
From the streets of Tokyo to the high Atlas Mountains, England's Peak District to London's home roads, the Highlands of Scotland to NYC's urban jungle.
Here's to 2024 and the roads ahead.
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From concept to product, Tim Soar unveils the design process behind the Trail Rain Jacket, our lightweight, race-compliant rain jacket.
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Light the Night was an idea born over coffee, a conversation between Rebecca Taylor of SOAR Women, and Flo Papougnot, a seasoned marathoner and member of Your Friendly Runners / Hot Boys Athletics. Here, the pair discuss how the idea came about and how this unusual form of late-night spectacle unfolded.
Words: Rebecca Taylor/Flo Papougnot
Photos: Morgane Bigault
The Spark
It was early October. The nights had started drawing in and we were discussing how we lose access to most of our favourite running routes as darkness falls - Rebecca’s favourite being Hampstead Heath. The reality is that the way we, as women, navigate the city rapidly changes in the diminishing light of autumn and winter. Canals, parks, and public spaces suddenly become no go areas through fear of safety.
Stirred to act, we wanted to create an opportunity for women to feel free, and importantly safe, to run in the dark. The result was ‘Light the Night’ - a collective act aimed at challenging these constraints and reclaiming routes, together.
We invited local women, running groups and SOAR Women’s community to come together on December 5th for a festive 7km trail run over Hampstead Heath. The goal was to fill this dark and intimidating space with light and noise. We encouraged a ‘Festive Lights’ dress code and asked runners to submit their favourite songs, which would form the basis of our playlist for the evening. Prizes for the brightest outfits from our friends at Knog added an extra incentive.
The Run
At 6:30pm, we set off from 3 Locks Brewery on the Regent’s Canal in Camden. The spectacle of over 60 women snaking their way to the Heath adorned in lights and music stopped cars and raised cheers. Pausing at Gospel Oak, we gathered for a few inspiring words from Sarah Ackland, Runner, Architect, and PhD researcher. Sarah’s work explores how people pass through public space, particularly through the lens of women and running. Her empowering speech was the rallying cry of women coming together, reminding us that running is a privilege and a political act. As Sarah explained:
'We have all been scared on a run, we have all felt we need to cover up, go a different route, run at a different time. We are reminded of this additional labour women take on, just to move in the same way as men, every day and especially when darkness falls. Women’s bodies have always been kept small, so this event was really about challenging this, lighting up the night and pushing back on these restrictions.'
As we headed deeper into the night along the Hampstead trails, we were met with mud, the puzzled gaze of late-night dog walkers and an obligatory ascent of Parliament Hill. At the top, London’s dramatic skyline sprawled beneath us. Its symphony of shimmering lights serving as the perfect backdrop for a group photo by photographer Morgane Bigault.
At this point, the collective giddiness of the group was palpable; it was party pace all the way home.
Runner Grace Cook captures the spirit of the night:
"It was honestly so moving and so empowering. I’ve never run in the dark before, let alone in a park at night, so thank you so much for making that happen”.
Whilst Light the Night runner Tina Sharkey concurred:
"I love, love, loved SOAR’s Light the Night. It was so liberating to be able to run in a place that most, if not all women feel they have to avoid in the winter months. To have so many women run together was the epitome of sisterhood. I would jump at the chance of doing it again and again".
Back at the brewery, refreshments, mince pies and live music were waiting. Most stayed for a chat before heading home with a pair of SOAR socks to keep them cosy on winter runs.
Whilst the run was free to join, we’d like to thank all those who donated to Refuge. Although fear is traditionally felt in public space, a woman is more likely to be abused or attacked at home. The money raised will help create safe spaces for women under threat of violence.
You can donate here.
We’d also like to thank all the women that took part and helped make it an evening filled with light, music, and laughter - an impactful acknowledgment of women’s experience and a wonderful opportunity for women to Light the Night.
]]>Our expert-designed sessions cover various running goals, helping you step up your game and set the stage for a strong start to the New Year.
Register your interest below.
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Terms & Conditions
The competition closes 12/02/2024
To enter subscribe to our email list (1 entry per person)
The winner of a SOAR Race Vest and Marathon Shorts (rrp £229) will be chosen at random and notified via email week commencing 12/02/2024
Open to participants aged 18+.
The prize is non-transferable and no cash alternatives will be offered.
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From concept to product, Tim Soar unveils the design process behind our revamped All Weather Jacket.
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For our first Race Vest design collaboration we’ve joined forces with Hackney based artist Zach Zono.
We asked Zach - a runner and friend of SOAR – to use our ultra-light Race Vest as a blank canvas for his work.
A self-taught artist born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa, Zach's abstract paintings reflect his fascination with colour, memories, and form, which is evident throughout his current practice.
Zono's work is a meditation on the sensation of memory and existence. His paintings are based on internal experiences manifested in different ways. They can be viewed as a map of the mind, a landscape documenting the passage of time while retaining the fluidity of an idea or feeling. Each painting captures a moment in time rather than chronicling events, transitions that transcend thought and feeling.
The organic forms and vivid hues in Zono's work are somewhat of an ode to his life in Cape Town. By utilising his large-scale works as a medium for experimentation, Zach’s pieces capture an audience’s attention by creating an atmosphere that can only be experienced in person.
“Running and art share the common characteristic of having distinct start and end points. I've learned to use running as an outlet—a refreshing break from my studio routine. Creating a vest with SOAR provided me with the opportunity to bring a new dimension of movement to my paintings.”
– Zach Zono≤
Join SOAR X London Design Festival, in a weeklong series of events, exploring design through the lens of running as part of the capital’s celebration of good design.
‘Design for Endurance’, showcases SOAR Proto Lab. Proto Lab is our “what if?” and “can we?”. It’s where we push the boundaries in design for running. How do you apply a printed graphene circuit to a race vest, how do you make a one-piece aero suit for real-world marathon running, what happens when you apply SOAR ergonomic pattern cutting techniques to a pair of jeans? We’ll also be previewing the new Autumn/Winter collections with extended opening hours and evening reception on Tuesday 19th September.
Chaired by The Big Run and SOAR Long Form host Danny Easton, our panel talk ‘Running, A Creative Approach’ on the evening of Thursday 21st, will be followed by drinks and music.
A diverse panel of runners including Andy Baddeley (Olympian, The Running Channel), Tim Soar (SOAR founder), Kimiko Ninomiya (founder of Hot Boys Athletics, head of marketing Soho House) and Sarah Ackland (architect and writer), discuss how creativity and design manifest in, and shape, all areas of running, from kit to training, community and beyond.
Drinks sponsored by New Theory
On Saturday 16th and 23rd at 11am, visitors are invited to embark on a unique running design tour. We’ll take to the streets of the Shoreditch Design Triangle and hear from designers and curators at selected exhibitions, as we use running to navigate the local design community.
SOAR Running, 107 Clifton Street (Scrutton St entrance), London, EC2A 4LG
Sign up to the events below.
Running, A Creative Approach: Thursday 21st September
Shoreditch Design Triangle Run Tour: Saturday 16th September
Shoreditch Design Triangle Run Tour: Saturday 23rd September
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Photographer and runner Jamie Shipston-Mourn accompanied father and daughter - Zohrab and Rehana - as they spent a mid-summer weekend running, exploring and camping in England’s Peak District. This film series explores both the bond between people, and that between people and place, with running as a constant throughout.
Read the full story here.
]]>Workout Wednesdays are our new free-to-attend sessions that will help you get faster, a weekly dose of group training to work on your speed and ability to operate at target race pace.
Starting from July 5th we run from the SOAR Studio every Wednesday, with secure bag drop from 6:30pm and the group warm-up jog starting at 6:45pm. Each week we’ll run a different interval or long repetition-based session of anywhere from 5-8km in fast running volume.
You can view directions to the SOAR Studio here.
Joining us is free, and open to runners of all abilities. If this is your first run with us, please fill out our waiver before joining.
Join us on Strava to stay up to date with all things Workout Wednesdays.
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Meet Steve Watmough, the V60 Masters runner defying the notion that age hinders performance. Despite beginning to run seriously as a V40, he now represents Team GB internationally, boasting impressive PBs of 34:06 for 10K at 57 and 74:57 in the HM at 58. Discover his training insights as he races at the sharp end of his age category. Masters running is captivating enthusiasts worldwide and as Steve speeds into the golden years, he inspires with his relentless pursuit of self-improvement.
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Tell us about the training changes you've embraced as a Masters runner. Could you share some insights?
I only started running as a Masters runner after being average in school and giving it up. In my 20s and 30s, I ran random half-marathons. When I reached my 40s, I wanted to stay fit, so I started with marathons. In 2005, I ran the London Marathon in 3.51.57, finishing just behind Adrian Chiles dressed as Huggy Bear. The following year, aiming for a qualifying time of 3:15, I improved to 3:12. However, in 2007, I regressed with a time of 3:18. That's when I learned that progress in running isn't always linear. I joined Warrington AC and got a coach, which made a significant difference. As a Masters runner, focusing on marathons opened up a world of competitive opportunities.
I used to think there was a mystique around marathons, but I've discovered that there's just as much excitement in the 1500m, 3k, or 5k races. It's interesting how in running, you start with short distances as a junior, then move to longer distances including marathons, and eventually, the older guys go back to shorter distances. I witnessed this first-hand when I saw two 92-year-olds competing in the 200m and 400m races in Torun. The 400m race went viral, with Hiroo Tanaka going off at WR pace but then fading badly. He also smashed the V90 record for 200m with 38.79, I don’t think people appreciate how impressive that is.
How has your approach to training changed over time?
As I got more serious about running, my training approach became like that of younger athletes. I began to understand the importance of rest, nutrition, and tailoring my training to suit my needs. My training is conventional, grounded in prioritising consistency, including two sessions and a long run. It’s developed to become more about targeting specific races and working backwards from those events. Competing at local races and winning my age group was enjoyable, but as I progressed to UK age group races, I aimed to win outright. Then came European-level races where it dawns on you just how seriously all your competitors take their running.
How has starting running at a later age impacted your career?
There is an advantage to starting later in that you have fewer miles on your body. If you have natural ability and apply yourself, you can see improvement quickly. I've noticed two types of latecomers in running. Some individuals were talented in their youth, took a long break, and then came back to running with their inherent ability and a good period of rest. Then you have those who have been running consistently throughout their lives. It takes great talent and strength to run for decades, and I have immense respect for them. In the marathon, I've noticed that the 60s age group is particularly competitive. The depth of talent has increased compared to the past, especially in the 55-65 age group.
How do you manage the balancing act of intensity and recovery?
Sensible running has been key for me, especially with the guidance of a coach. Recovery becomes even more crucial after a race. I take few weeks off after a marathon. Instead of jumping straight into intense sessions, because they're on the calendar, I allow myself three days of rest after a key marathon session. Finding out whether I respond better to mileage or intensity has been a challenging process. I don't consider myself as blessed with raw speed and often wondered whether focusing on shorter distances I might have found more speed.
What's your approach to strategy in racing?
In races, I try not to worry about what others are doing. In bigger races like the World Championships and British Championships, I'm still learning. When I went to Finland, I had expectations of medalling, but I realised that all my competitors were experienced and tended to perform well due to their age. I study my opposition and assume they're racing reasonably well. I set realistic targets for myself and aim to be in the mix during the shorter races towards the end. In longer races like half-marathons and marathons, I've learned that it's essential to run my own race. In the past, I tried to match the pace of rivals, but if you're not in the same shape, you can undermine yourself. Factoring in conditions, being realistic about my capabilities, and striving to be in the mix at the end of shorter races is my strategy.
What's your approach to cross-training for longevity?
I haven't emphasised cross-training as much, but I do use the gym at home. I enjoy biking, I'm not a great swimmer so I try to incorporate elliptical and biking workouts. I'd rather be outdoors on the bike than in the gym. As I age, cross-training becomes more important, and now it has become a habit for me to stay fit. Cross-training doesn't guarantee you'll stay injury free of course. I’m currently in the gym 2-3 times a week for core and strengthening exercises. In time, I may have to concede to supplementing my running with more cross-training to maintain peak fitness. I've been hearing positive things about elliptical bikes.
How do you challenge the misconceptions about Masters running?
Many people used to believe that Masters running wasn't serious and just something that old people did. They often dismiss the V35 category and even V40. However, in distance running, some of the best marathoners are in the V35 category, like Kipchoge. Athletes like Chris Thompson and Jo Pavey are also breaking masters records. When you enter the V50-55 and V60 age groups, the competition becomes incredibly fierce. The World and European Championships are brilliant competitions. But it's not all about the elites. What's great about Masters running is that it's treated more seriously in mass competitions. Great runners of their time continue to gain momentum and are taken very seriously. Age groups are getting extended, with competitions for individuals aged 75-80 and 85+. Interest in these age groups is increasing. I had a friend, Nick Jones, who unfortunately passed away shortly after entering the V45 category. He was a quality runner who ran for GB in his prime and became even more engaged as a masters runner, always inspiring me. The British and Irish Masters International Cross Country is one such competition where you have to be selected, and it's highly competitive. Overall, I think Masters events are gaining more respect.
Could you share your most memorable achievement as a Masters runner?
Winning my age group at the London Marathon 2019 with a time of 2:40:39 stands out as a significant achievement. In 2021, I won the open race in the Lancaster 10-miler. Regardless of the level of competition, it's always nice to win, even if the field wasn’t the strongest. However, my most memorable achievement is winning the International Cross Country as a V60 runner. It was a race that we had all targeted, and many respected runners turned up. To win that race, surpassing my competitors is something I rank as my greatest accomplishment. Unfortunately, I suffered a hamstring injury four days later, which meant I had to drop out of the Valencia marathon. This experience taught me to appreciate the joy and victories in running because you never know what challenges lie ahead.
What are your future goals and plans?
My main target is to go back to Valencia in December this year. I've been eyeing the V60 record for the marathon, which was previously 2:45 until September last year when it was reduced to 2:39. It's a tough target, but I'll keep it in sight for as long as I can. I also hope to participate in the International Cross Country again and focus on shorter-distance races in the summer to regain my speed, depending on how my injury settles. I'm considering competing in the European Masters in Italy at the end of September.
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Photographer Matt Moran was recently on assignment for SOAR in Tokyo. Whilst there he met up with the 080 Running Crew. Kitted out in SOAR they took him on a tour of their neon metropolis.
"I really wanted to capture the energy of the city, focusing on the details and textures I encountered along the way" – Matt Moran
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We’re celebrating the launch of Run: Races and Trails Around the World, with a great giveaway.
One winner will receive £150 SOAR credit to spend on the latest addition to your running wardrobe and a copy of Run: Races and Trails Around the World.
From the stunning loop around Lake Bled to China's iconic Great Wall section and the historic Boston Marathon, Run: Races and Trails Around the World celebrates 100 of the world's most amazing races and routes.
Curated by experts, this book features diverse running adventures: training camps, organised events and exploring destinations on foot. It spans various distances, from 5Ks to ultras, with mapped routes displaying distance, terrain, and elevation profiles.
Each chapter focuses on a continent, arranging runs geographically. Top tips prepare you for running holidays, including scenic viewpoints, adapting distances, and off-season racecourses. Run: Races and Trails Around the World – the ultimate guide for runners.
Simply sign up below to receive SOAR email offers and news and one lucky winner will be chosen at random.
Terms & Conditions
The competition closes 23/06/2023
To enter subscribe to our email list (1 entry per person)
The winner of a copy of RUN: Races and Trails around the world & a £150 SOAR Running voucher will be chosen at random and notified via email week commencing 26/05/2023
Open to participants aged 18+.
The prize is non-transferable and no cash alternatives will be offered.
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Tim and Alex talk us through the new Marathon Speedsuit. The first of its kind, it's an aero speedsuit designed specifically for marathon runners.
]]>The Extra Mile is your chance to celebrate and reward a female runner who’s completed an outstanding run whilst wearing a SOAR Women’s Race Vest. Each month SOAR Running will award one female runner and the person that nominates them, a £150 SOAR Gift Voucher, for a performance that knocks our socks off.
Congratulations to Sarah Funderburk, the winner of SOAR Women’s ‘The Extra Mile’ for June. Sarah was nominated by fellow runner Janine Makaronidis after she put her SOAR vest through its paces in a tenacious run at the Backyard Ultra (a form of ultramarathon race where competitors must consecutively run a loop once of 4.167 mile in less than one hour ending when only one runner remains to complete a lap). Sarah and Janine both win a £150 SOAR gift voucher.
“I am nominating the amazing Sarah Funderburk who didn’t just run one, but 116.7 extra miles. Six weeks after winning the 12 hours Crawley track race running 3 consecutive marathons overnight while most of us where in bed, she didn’t stop there.
The long-term ultra-marathon enthusiast and USA 2021 top 10 runner over 12h hasn’t always had race luck on her side. Despite injuries and COVID getting in the way of her 2022 race ambitions she never gave up and kept fighting.
On June 2nd at the Suffolk Backyard Ultra, her first attempt at running over 12h, Sarah broke the 24h and 100 mile barriers, on a troublemaker of a foot and a recently uncooperative knee and ran 116.7 miles over 28 hours. Her SOAR vest may never be clean again, but she keeps inspiring multiple women (and men) do the same: be strong, fierce and never give up!”
– Janine Makaronidis
Congratulations to Fade Solanke-Mitterer, our inaugural winner of SOAR Womens ‘The Extra Mile’ for May. Fade was nominated by James de Vivenot for her commitment and perseverance to training despite less than perfect conditions in the build up to her first marathon. Fade and James both win a £150 SOAR gift voucher.
"I would like to nominate Fade Solanke-Mitterer for the Soar Extra Mile. Fade has been an enthusiastic member of Soar training programmes over the years, feeling welcome and supported despite being amongst the slowest runners in the group, showing that Soar is a diverse community for runners of all abilities.
This year Fade completed the Manchester marathon overcoming many challenges, including suffering from Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), being a mum to 2 young children and working in a demanding job in a city law firm. Fade’s performance against all the odds was described by her coach Matt Yates as one of the best achievements of his coaching career."
– James de Vivenot
To nominate your SOAR Woman, please email theextramile@soarrunning.com with a photograph of the runner wearing their SOAR vest during their run, and a description of no more than 150 words outlining why you think they should receive The Extra Mile award.
Winners will be contacted at the beginning of each month and featured on our website and social channels.
Terms & Conditions:
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Tim guides us through the Shell Sorts: liner free, knee length shorts for maximum everyday utility.
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Italy-based British ultra runner Robbie Britton recently took down the long-held 24-hour British record. Clocking 277.439 km / 172.392 miles – running at a mind-blowing average of 5:11per km / 8:21per mile for an entire day.
How did you approach training for the record attempt?
Training for longer ultras like a 24hr race becomes more about the journey over years, rather than one individual training block or year. But the build-up for the 24hr record in Torino this spring is probably best seen in two chunks.
Originally the plan had been the run the Växjö 24hr in Sweden, but eight days beforehand I caught COVID.
The build-up to Växjö had been near perfect, for me. Nine weeks of training, averaging 108 miles per week, with the biggest being around 125 miles. The longest training run was 3 hours, with a trail race right at the start of that block being longer (55k in just under 6 hours), I ran that race more for enjoyment, as we got closer to race-day the training became more specific.
Working with my coach Tom Craggs, sessions focused on marathon effort, a bit faster sometimes, a bit slower at others. The volume of the sessions was more important than the actual speed as race pace is 7:30 min/mile at the start. So, running 10-20 seconds faster on my efforts won’t make or break a 24hr race, but increasing the efforts in size might. The whole block was focused on consistency, with training often fuelled to mimic race-day, as fine-tuning the nutrition plan, and training the gut is key for longer stuff.
Fast forward to December and, after a break to recover from COVID, it was a slow build-back up to the bigger training weeks. The idea of another continuous block was daunting. It takes a lot both physically and psychologically, running road loops in the Alps in January. I was grateful to have two of my athletes, Rob Payne and Damo Carr, to share miles with.
The second block in Jan & Feb still worked out as 8 weeks averaging 103 miles a week, with a peak of 125 again and a drop-down week in the middle (nicely coinciding with regional XC champs in Piedmont so I could run for the club). The longest run was 2:45, with some mixed-pace intervals in the second half of that one too.
Looking back, I’m happy with how training went, and I reached the start line fit, fresh and with legs conditioned to the challenge ahead, as much as legs can be ready for 24 hours of non-stop running.
Can you tell us about your fuelling for the race?
The overview was that I managed 94.9g of carbs per hour over the race, the lowest hour being 75g, the highest 120g, but with most sitting in the 90-95g per hour range. It was PH gels, chews, and drink mix, with some rice and jam mixed together in bags and a couple of handfuls of sweets. Oh, and one cup of pasta. It was all weighed out beforehand and/or measured by my excellent crew of my wife Nats, and friends Jamie and Sarah-Jayne Pugh. Jamie is a senior lecturer at Liverpool John Moores Uni and an expert in runner’s guts. Sarah-Jayne takes no nonsense, which is something you need in the wee small hours of any race. Together they were an excellent team and made sure my fuelling was on point.
We had caffeine timed into the plan and the drinks had to be adapted as it was 85% humidity so I was sweating a lot less than one might expect so it ended up being around 350ml an hour and even then, it was possibly too much!
How does one develop the mental fortitude to run for nonstop 24 hours?
To start you break it down into smaller chunks, as even for me, the idea of running for 24 hours is intimidating. One hour of running in a loop? Manageable. So, I deal with each hour one at a time and even lapped my watch each hour to help with that.
The 24hr format is a strange one. It’s just “how far can you run in a day” and it’s all about finding balance between going too hard and dawdling the whole time. You can’t really relax too much, as the mind and body want you to slow down a bit, but you can’t overstep the mark either as you come undone. Simmer, don’t boil, is how I often explain it to our GB&NI 24hr runners. You have to simmer the whole time to get your best result.
I have a lot of love for 24hr running, and for once it’s reciprocated (unlike XC where it is a truly unrequited love). The “why” becomes important in the middle and latter stages of the race. It’s hard to motivate yourself to do something that can seem pointless, especially if your personal goals are slipping away. From 12-18 hours the record started to slip from our grasp and the team had to get me moving faster. Each hour from 18 to 24 got faster than the last and that was tough but totally worth it. I love to finish strong, so I kept telling myself I just had to get to four, two hours to go and give myself a chance at the record. It possibly worried my crew and coach a little more than it did me!
Which aspect did you find most challenging, the mental or physical fatigue?
It’s easier to say this in hindsight when the pain in my legs has been mostly forgotten and the overlying fatigue is starting to lift, but the psychological part of it feels the hardest. The strength to train for the event again, let alone race one, takes longer to return. The desire is there, from one day later, but I’m someone who always wants to give their best and I know I can’t do that just yet. Mainly because I know how much it takes to get there.
Physically it was tough, but that pain in the second half eases if you ease back. You have to battle with your own mind’s survival instinct. You’re doing damage to yourself, and you have to fight against your central governor which wants you to stop. The training and fuelling feel like it makes the physical side possible, but the mind games never stop. Even in the last couple of hours, you’re not sure you’ll make it. It wasn’t until the last hour that I let myself really believe and even then, I didn’t relax until the actual footstep past the record. Then I was able to open the legs a bit more for the last couple of laps, but before it wasn’t worth the risk of a strained muscle or fuelling bonk.
Talk to us about the gear you chose, and why?
As a runner, I heat up like a furnace when I get going, so keeping cool in any event is key. Even though all the Italians were in leggings, long sleeve tops and some even jackets, I knew staying cool would be key to my success.
Having tried a few different materials and heard a lot of good things about the SOAR Race Vest I opted to wear one for the event. The vests were a no-brainer, and I did intend to swap them out regularly, so adding a Race Vest or two into my rotation was an easy decision.
As any ultra-runner knows, shorts and socks are a more serious matter. Chaffing can be uncomfortable in a marathon, but it will destroy a 24hr race. I was able to test the Marathon and Race Shorts out during my lower runs in training, sometimes wearing them for a few days at a time to see how they fared when loaded up with sweat. The socks are the same. I wasn’t running big, long runs in training, but testing over days helped me decide to wear the SOAR Race Shorts and socks on race day.
Split shorts are a distance runner’s staple. You feel the part on the start line, they’re made to run fast, and I planned to run faster than any other Brit had in a day. Plus, the idea was that the shorter the shorts, the more cooling they’d be on race day. The legs create all the heat, so covering them makes little sense. Plus the style makes it easier to have a wee on the fly.
I changed into a super thin long sleeve (one I’ve had for 10 years and normally just sits as mandatory kit in my pack) and my Centurion Running team tee for the night, that was what I finished the race in. I had intended to change again as the sun came up, but the weather on Sunday was windy and grim, plus we had a record to chase, so it stayed on to the end.
As for the shoes, Alphaflys were my weapon of choice, in no small way influenced by Aleksandr Sorokin running the 24hr World record in a pair.
What’s the next challenge for you? Are any other records in your crosshairs?
For now, I’m happy with just the one, but I would love to try the British 100-mile record. It was the world record for quite some time, with 11 and a half hours run by the late, great Don Ritchie. Even my mate Dan Lawson’s LEJOG record would be fun to try (although I’ve no idea if I could do what Dan did there, it was truly astonishing to see what he did for just under 10 days).
After a long time trying to get back strong enough to race / train for ultras, I’m excited to get back to training and competing at a variety of distances. Trail races would be good fun too, as we live in a town in Northern Italy called Coggiola that is on the edge of the Oasi Zegna natural park and has tons of beautiful trails to explore with my wife Nats (who wouldn’t dream of racing ultras on the road).
I want to spend the next 10-20 years running ultras, on the roads and mountains, hopefully getting to represent my country a few times and achieving as many goals as I can. The British 24hr record is one of my lifetime ambitions (as was publishing a book) so honestly, if I had to settle for just that, I’d die happy. But as it is, there’s plenty more to come yet.
Tell us about a bucket-list race/event/challenge you’d like to do and why?
How long have you got? There are a lot of adventures out there and a new race every week!
The 24hr World and European Championships is high on my agenda and races like the UTMB and Spartathlon are a couple of races I’d like to return to (although generally, I prefer new events to see a bit more of the world).
I have a list of overseas adventures, like the Jordan Trail we did a few years back, that will be snuck back into the calendar and then there’s the Tor des Geants in Italy which will always sit atop my bucket list until I’ve done it. We go every year and Nats has finished it twice, it’s just something else.
You can keep up to date with Robbie's training and racing on Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/11957779?hl=en-GB
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London Marathon Open Studio + Last Chance Clinic
To mark marathon weekend, we’re opening the doors of the SOAR Studio for 3-days of expert advice, the latest SOAR design innovation, music, shakeout runs, coffee and carbs.
Join us from Thursday to Saturday to run, shop, share pre-race tales, get a last-minute physical MOT and delve into the world of SOAR.
Thursday 20th: 9am–9pm
All day: SOAR Proto Lab + Retail
9am – 2pm: Free Coffee by Bubbly Batch
5pm – 9pm: SOAR X LDN Opening Party: beers (inc AF), high-carb bites and tunes brought to you by Team SOAR
9am – 5pm: London Last Chance Clinic – click here for more info
Friday 21st: 9am–6pm
All day: SOAR Proto Lab + Retail
9am – 2pm: Free Coffee by Bubbly Batch
9am – 5pm: London Last Chance Clinic – click here for more info
Saturday 22nd: 9am–2pm
9;30am: Pre-race shakeout 5km led by a Runners Life Podcast/Marcus Brown + Team SOAR , followed by coffee and pastries
9am – 2pm: SOAR Proto Lab + Retail
9am – 2pm: Coffee by Bubbly Batch
9am – 2pm: London Last Chance Clinic - click here for more info
You can find us at:
SOAR Studio
107 Clifton St
London
EC2A 4LG
SOAR X Performance Team x Victoria Park Sports Medicine
We’ve teamed up with specialist running sports practitioners Andy Smith, Matt Bergin and Joe Dale to bring you the London Marathon Last Chance Clinic.
As well as being leading running specialist physios Andy and Matt are SOAR Race Team members, whilst osteopath Joe is a familiar face to many in the London running scene – keeping local runners injury free and on track from his clinic in Victoria Park.
Andy, Joe and Matt will be running the London Marathon Last Chance Clinic from our Marathon Open Studio on Thursday 20th – Saturday 22nd April. The clinic will take the form of 20 minute 1-2-1 slots with the practitioners, free of charge to all runners.
Whether you’re looking for a pre-race MOT, last minute osteo treatment, a sports massage, some strapping or taping, book a slot at the Last Chance Clinic to get as race ready as you can be.
The Last Chance Clinic is our mission to help runners take to the start line at the London Marathon with all bases covered – but you don’t have to be a London Marathoner to use it. The clinic is open to all runners seeking expert advice, guidance and treatment and will take place at the SOAR Studio:
SOAR Studio
107 Clifton St
London
EC2A 4LG
Andy will be taking appointments on Thursday and Friday
Joe will be taking appointments on Friday and Saturday
Matt will be taking appointments on Thursday and Saturday
We will endeavour to make sure you meet your chosen practitioner, however, if they are unavaialble we will make sure an alternative practitioner will see you.
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Anyone who claims to have all the answers when it comes to sustainability in sportswear is wrong. We certainly don’t have all the answers, but we are trying to be as sustainable and environmentally responsible a business as we can be.
SOAR Running Founder and CEO Tim Soar talks through what sustainability means to us and what we’re actively doing to address it.
]]>Join SOAR for 8 workout Wednesdays in the build-up to the Hackney Half Marathon. With training advice, company and shared goals along the way.
Each workout will be focused on developing your ability to function at, or near target pace – and do so for the distance – think tempo running and longer steadier efforts where company goes a long way.
We’ll run from the SOAR Studio every Wednesday, with secure bag drop from 6:30pm and the run starting at 6:45pm each week.
Each Highway to Hackney workout will be split into three target groups:
Runners aiming to run 1h25mins or faster for the half
Runners aiming to run between 1h25mins and 1h45mins for the half
Runners aiming to run between 1h45mins and 2h15 mins for the half
The runs will be led by team SOAR and runners well versed in training and racing. Whether you’re looking to complete your first half, or nail a PB, you’ll have the advice – and company – needed.
Joining us is free, and open to all, and we’ll share the upcoming Wednesday run plans on the Monday beforehand each week.
Highway to Hackney kicks off on Wednesday 29th March and runs every Wednesday evening until May 17th.
*we do however ask that you can run 5 miles/8km at approx. 6 minutes per km before joining Highway to Hackney.
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Tim delves into the Eco Tech-T. Explaining why the SOAR design philosophy is as applicable to the humble short sleeved running t-shirt, as it is to the most technical, winter performance garments.
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Earlier this February SOAR hosted an enlightening event to celebrate female-centred training. The majority of training advice has historically centred on men, but finally, there’s a groundswell of research taking place, to enable women to harness their unique physiology and gain the tools to maximise their training.
Together with The Stylist Magazine’s Strong Women editor, Miranda Larbi and Fitr Woman, a menstrual tracking and fitness app spearheaded by GB athlete and scientist Georgie Bruinvels and athlete Niamh Brown, 50 women of all shapes, sizes, ages and abilities ran together through the City followed by a lively panel discussion and Q&A around women-specific training and recovery.
The discussion was insightful, so much so that Miranda has captured the key messages and advice for women with a great article for Strong Women which you can read here and share with others.
One of the biggest takeaways from the night was an empowering message of understanding the body and menstrual cycle and embracing and working with it. In Georgie’s words;
“The key thing here is tracking your cycle to learn more about yourself, learn about what’s normal for you, and then try to manage it. So, let’s be proactive around nutrition, sleep, recovery, etc. But then also, like capitalise on what we know – there are times where your body can totally take more training and there’ll be others when you need to be a little bit more sensible and cautious.”
Georgie Bruinvels, Fitr Woman
To be among the first to hear about SOAR Running talks and events, please sign up to our mailing list.
]]>Welcome all runners (of all abilities)! We’re excited to announce that we’ve teamed up with SOAR and FitrWoman for the second Strong Women Run Club on Wednesday 8 February. We’d love you to join us as we celebrate and discuss all that running has to offer for women of all ages, speeds and backgrounds.
The majority of the running research that currently exists has been based on men – meaning that much of the science-backed training advice available fails to account for women’s unique biology. Our hormones are dramatically different for one thing; in fact, knowing how to harness the power of your menstrual cycle can have huge effects on how effectively you’re able to train.
With that in mind, we’re ringing in 2023 with an open and honest conversation on how we as women can embrace our bodies to run stronger than ever.
Departing from SOAR’s HQs in Old Street, we’ll set off for a sociable 5km run. Then it’s back to the showroom for refreshments, followed by a panel talk about female-specific training with world-class scientists and athletes Dr Georgie Bruinvels and Niamh Brown of FITR Woman and Stylist Strong Women Fitness Editor, Miranda Larbi.
This event is now fully subscribed but if you would like to join our waiting list please email Rebecca Taylor at rebecca.t@soarrunning.com
Details of the event:
When: Wednesday 8 February
Time: 6:30 Arrival
Event location: SOAR, 107 Clifton St, London, EC2A 4LG
A manned bag drop will be available at the showroom
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