Great Scot
Hood caught up with Glasgow-born TV presenter Jenni Falconer as she gets in training for her ninth marathon.
Jenni Falconer, 45, has been a familiar face and voice on TV and radio for over 20 years, appearing on the ITV daytime show This Morning and presenting the National Lottery Draws on BBC1, as well as hosting the Smooth Radio Breakfast Show. The keen runner also hosts the hugely successful RunPod which is the run club of the podcast world. Here are her top tips if you’re looking to take up the sport, but just don’t know how to start…
Good trainers, along with sports bras, are the most important pieces of kit you can own. It’s important you have as comfortable a run as possible, so do your research and if you can, try before you buy.
Before heading out, make sure you’ve fuelled your body, whether that’s with a slice of toast, a banana or a dry bagel. I also take a sachet of my collagen supplement, KOLLO, which helps support stronger bone, joint and cartilage function.
Getting motivated can be a real barrier, so try running with a friend. This is a great way to make sure you pull on your trainers in the first place and, once you’re out, having a chat with a pal can help take your mind off the fact that you are actually running.
Use an app to plan your route. It’s a useful tool to help gradually increase your distances and improve performance.
If I’m not out running with a buddy I love an uptempo playlist to help me on my way. Or a long run is a good opportunity to listen to a podcast.
When I begin to tire or get bored I start to count. Counting each step up to 500 helps keep me going.
Finally, it’s all about the sense of achievement after your run. Whether it’s a couch to 5k or a marathon, once those endorphins kick in you’ll feel amazing.