Get ready to race with Aqua Pura

Olympic triathlete Jess Learmonth teaches us how to set goals, stay focused and get race-ready 

Whether you want to set a PB or just get over the line, your training plan is critical. But where do you start? Gold medal-winning Olympic triathlete and Aqua Pura brand ambassador Jess Learmonth MBE put her coaching hat on to get five lucky competition winners ready for the Great North Run. 

Get real
When setting a time goal, be realistic. Jess studied the five runners’ sleeping patterns, diet, life stresses and hydration levels. “Anyone training for a race without the support of a PT or running club should get to grips with these details too,” she says. “Create a diary and keep a note of all these factors. Plan to train when it is genuinely possible, otherwise you’ll be disappointed when you don’t stick to it.” 

Check in
Jess hosted regular check-ins to ensure the runners were on track and hitting their distance and pace goals. Life happens, so don’t be afraid to adapt your plan or adjust your goals when necessary: it’s rare to complete every run on a training plan. Jess provided April Bura, 36, with practical tips on balancing training with motherhood, helping her to finish in the super-speedy time of 1:47:21. 

Check your head
“For me, the most important thing is that they enjoy it, they’re motivated, mentally focused and want to keep reaching for their trainers,” says Jess. Whether you’re a brand new runner like Grace Kirkham, 22, who crossed the line in 3:29:02, or an avid racer looking to go sub-2:00, like Patrick Stiefel, 44, who made it home in 1:59:30 with Jess’s help, perspective is key. “The fact is you got off your backside, have thrown yourself into training and have given it your all,” adds Jess. 

Jess’s race-day checklist
“It’s important to hydrate the day before your race, not just on the day. I’d recommend adding an electrolyte tablet to your water too, especially if your event is longer than 1.5 hours.”

<2> Gear up
“I prefer and feel the heat less in lighter colours, so I like racing in white,” says Jess. 

<3> Find perspective
“Being able to see the bigger picture is really important. Focus, breathe and be present in the experience. Find the joy in it.”
 
Bottled in the Eden Valley, Aqua Pura is one of the fastest growing British natural mineral water brands in the UK. Use Aqua Pura’s hydration calculator to check your hydration status, and connect on Facebook and Instagram