One of the most successful athletes in Great Britain, the Distance Broker, Paula Radcliffe, could have retired 10 years ago, but this year he completed two marathons for the first time since he hung his professional shoes.
“It was definitely in order to participate,” says the 51 -year -old woman, with a laugh, and has to handle a niggle articular to the feet making careers of 26.2 miles these days.
“And the Camareadería de Corredores together on Marathon Day: it is very special. You have 50,000 or 60,000 people, largely going through the same movements, the same day and sharing that together.”
Radcliffe, who celebrated the worldwide record of the 2003 to 2019 female marathon after establishing a time from 2:15:25 in London, completed the marathons of Tokyo and Boston in spring and plans to direct the Kielder marathon, Northumberland, in October.
But his relationship with the race has evolved in the last decade. Previously, “push myself and see how good this great motivating factor could be, now it's like, it's fine, I feel a little better after having run.”
In addition, the three times winner of the London Marathon says that running gives him time to think. “That is one of the reasons why I try to encourage children to find the sport that is good for them. It may not be running, but I was running, and when I was going through the stress of the exams or trying to work in task problems, I would discover that if it went to run, in the middle of that race, sometimes, sometimes, sometimes, sometimes, sometimes, sometimes, sometimes, sometimes, sometimes, sometimes, sometimes, sometimes, sometimes, sometimes, sometimes, sometimes, sometimes, sometimes, sometimes, sometimes, sometimes, sometimes [I’d realise] 'Oh, that's how you do it.'
“Even now, if I have a complete work day, it is like that. My mind is a bit more clear. If I am trying to write something, I will run first and then I will return and start writing. [It could be] The increase of oxygen to the brain, I don't know.
“And also, when I have gone through difficult times, when I lost my dad [in April 2020]It's like processing, it's perspective. “
The retired athlete now makes regular appearances in the BBC Sport transmission team for athletics and long-distance events, as well as co-elutrion of Paula's Run Club podcast with the Chris Thompson distance corridor.
Learning to deal with the psychological trip of a marathon has been a great lesson to overcome challenging times too, he points out.
“I think that the marathon's mentality is a great precursor to go through life. There are ups and downs in the marathon, and basically you overcome them using your coping techniques, trying to stay at the time, focusing on what is good and what you can do instead of what you cannot do.
“It is essentially the same metaphor of life; what can you do? If there are things out of your control, focus a little less, because there is not much you can do [about them] and recognize what improves.
“And when you go through the low times, you return to the good times or eagerly waiting for those who are coming.
“If you are having a bad patch, even visualizing a time when you remember the time you felt really well and really in control, think about that,” he suggests. “I will only tell, again and again, up to 100, that was my coping technique to base me here and there, one foot in front of the other.”
He now has its headquarters in Monte Carlo, Monaco, with her husband Gary Lough and the Isla and Raphael sons, leaving the United Kingdom after the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, in which she retired from the race around the 23 mile brand. The location lends itself to an outdoor lifestyle and these days, prefers to cross forests that pounds of pounds.
“I really appreciate when you are in a beautiful path of paths, [I feel] Extremely fortunate of being able to be in the beautiful field, breathing clean air that, unfortunately, not everyone has access. “
Health Equals says that more than 12 million children in the United Kingdom are at risk of life health problems due to toxic air, with more than 25,000 schools in areas that violate the air quality guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO). The campaign coalition says that the most affected are Greater London, Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire and Birmingham from the city center.
The impact on health can include asthma and other pulmonary conditions, as well as a greater risk of heart disease and stroke, say the group, with black, Asian and minority ethnic groups, as well as those of low income, more likely to be affected.
For Radcliffe, statistics hit hard. “I spend a lot of time trying to encourage people to go out and children walk to school and be more physically active, due to all the benefits that physical activity can bring. But breathing, clean air is a basic right and if they will be active in an area that is not sure for them, it is really scary.”
Running in very polluted areas could even do more damage than well. “It should be good for you ≠ and it is, if you are exercising in clean air, but [if not] It actually works elsewhere. It is better to sit in a chair without doing anything. “
As asthmatic, he is aware of the air quality that is also breathing. “My asthma is largely induced by pollen, cigarette smoke is another [trigger] And the pollution is great. So I realized that through my career, traveling to more contaminated cities and noticing [the impact] I had in my asthma. “
In his 50 years, he likes to use running to explore new areas. “It is an excellent way to explore new cities, new places when we are on vacation.”
But also, “as a teenagers, there are times when you just want to escape from everyone and close the door to all!”
And what about that elusive 'Runner's High'? “It is very exclusive to everyone,” he says, “it's not like suddenly feeling euphoric. For me, it's more content, a little more relaxed, everyday things that bother you, bothers me a little less.”
Paula Radcliffe tips for runners for beginners over 50 years
1. Prioritize good nutrition and sleep: “Try to eat immediately after running because it helps the body to recover better.”
2. Complement the race with strength exercises: “Everyone just wants to run outdoors, but build some central exercises, basic planks, feet force exercises, calf elevations.”
3. Remember to stretch before and after.
4. Establish objectives: “I really recommend joining a club or career group and once you have motivation, work to complete your local park race or make a half marathon.”
To be part of the solution, visit Healthequals.org.uk and use the hashtag #makehealthequal.
