Samantha Pidoux

“Back in September I ran my first 10K – it was for Race for Life and I spent seven weeks training for it after my friend persuaded me to sign up last minute and run with her. Having run a few 5ks I felt that this was the next running challenge that I could take on. I successfully ran it having trained three times a week and it took 1 hr and 15 minutes, but my pace was off and I struggled at times with my breathing. It was laboured and I could not always regulate it. Aside from that I was not fully happy with the run itself and knew that I could better with some extra support. 

I joined the university’s running club in early October and also did some of the couch to 10K sessions on a Monday – but followed several of the training sessions that were shared by Will and Alfie by email. Those sessions mixed in with strength training session really changed how I ran and enabled me to run my second 10K in April – this was a virtual 10K during lockdown and the end result was something to be proud of. I managed to finish that 10K in 1hr and 10 minutes – I will never be the fastest runner, but I was really happy that it was quicker, my pace was more consistent, my running position was upright which enabled my breathing to be was controlled. 

I would have not learnt any of these techniques if it was for not joining the running club and the support of Will and Alfie. Both of them encouraged me and supported my small achievements. The first thing they got me to do was sit more upright when running, this was the first improvement, after that it was helping me work on pace. All of this knowledge and support was invaluable.  

If you are an amateur runner and you are looking to improve your running technique I would fully recommend joining the running club on a Thursday and or any of the couch to programmes. You will be working with knowledgeable and supportive trainers who will support you every step of your running journey.”