Wearedaybreak

🏆 Running and racing around the World!
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Shout out to who has just finished in Brisbane 🇦🇺🙌
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
100k of unrelenting trails. Here’s what he has to say – hot off the press:
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
About the race:
‘The Guzzler 100 (well, sneaky 105km actually, as usual) is running from Brisbane and around its 3 water reservoirs. Relentless up/ down short, steep, hills for 100km, almost no flat, no rest. And with 4600m elevation.’
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The tough part:
‘Cramps for 60km was an interesting one.’
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The one best thing:
‘The sunset around the mountains in the national park, bright orange colours while running solo in the dark. So good and makes you appreciate the long stuff even more ❤️’
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
So so well done, Flav! 👏
Too modest to say, we’ve looked up his result. He came in 6th (2nd in age group) in 12:56:55. We salute you! Love from London 🫶🙌

Tuesday mornings 🫶🙌
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Lucky enough to enjoy some sunshine in the park. One of these typical British summers – rather wet and grey than warm and sunny.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
This weeks session was led by who is working towards his run coaching qualification (LiRF & CiRF) with . Exciting times ahead. The group was doing speed reps @ 5k effort before heading back for coffee .london ☕️👌
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Next week is the end of the month, which can only mean one thing… 🤭👀

Tales from the Trails – Edition 4.
"This January, I convinced Emma to climb Nevado de Toluca (4680m) a couple hours drive from Mexico City. The city already sits at 2240m, time to get used to altitude. We stayed in the Condesa neighbourhood and had some great early morning runs through empty streets parks, mostly surrounded by dog walkers.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🏔️ MOUNTAIN DAY:
We got up early and still managed to miss our 7am bus to the mountains. Fortunately one of the tour guides saw us trying to explain in very broken Spanish to a shop owner, why we were there at 7am on a Sunday with hiking poles, and came to our rescue to drive us.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
That day was also the last day of a national holiday which meant the whole of Mexico City was here too. What should have been a two hour drive, turned into 4 hours spent on winding mountain roads in first gear. After being bundled into the back of a truck and driven the last 500m to the start point, we finally started the hike at 11am.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🗺️ Our tour guides revised the route – originally a 1 mile hike to the summit (~3hrs) – to a much longer route, avoiding the crowds. Taking us through a pine filled forest where we saw Snow Roses and learnt how they can help altitude sickness. As we set off late, we were unable to summit that day. Many of our group struggled with the altitude and needed to stop or slow down. It was a very enjoyable hike regardless.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🏖️ R&R:
We flew to Tulum enjoying margaritas and ceviche on the beach. We also managed to squeeze in trips to some ancient Mayan ruins like Chichén Itzá and Teotihuacan.
Hasta la proxima vez Mexico."
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
~ & / January 2023 / Mexico 🇲🇽

How do you keep warm in winter? 🥶😮‍💨🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
We by firing up the systems (move, run). Good company, warm thoughts and of course good coffee ☕️
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
On Tuesday we’ve returned with a Track Special w/ at Paddington Rec. Icy conditions prove to be challenging. But with a coach at hand, adjustments are sound and tips on how to get a grip 😉 are generously shared and practised. After all, we‘re trail runners and spend 80% of our time on slippery, muddy, snowy, rocky and loose terrain.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Essential Winter things:
• Warm up properly.
• Dress in layers. Buff, hat, gloves a cosy must. You can always de-layer.
• Find grip. Watch out for damp patches, manhole covers, bridges. If conditions are too icy: get on the grass or indeed move your session inside (treadmill, swim, row, cycle, S&C, yoga etc).
• Adjust your session to effort (not pace). Breathing hard in cold air is rough. Go gently. Or inside.
• Relax, try to drop your shoulders 🥶 And always keep that core active!
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Happy Winter running! Back at our usual spot in Angel .london next week 👋

Tales from the Trails – Edition 3.
"I grew up spending about 3 months a year in the Eastern Pyrenees. My family moved away in 2016, but now we are back, 7 years later and it is delightfully unchanged! There is a lot of joy in exploring an old familiar place through the eyes of a 'new' hobby or new person to the area.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
During 2 weeks of remote working, I ran all around the house, exploring the incredible (and totally unrunnable) trails on offer.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I am a complete wuss on my own in the mountains, facings fears of
1. Stray dogs
2. Wild boar or
3. Hunters hunting said wild boar.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
This led to a few turnarounds and bailing on some more ambitious solo plans. However in the end, although I met many dogs, most of them just wanted to say hi and a head stroke! One even decided to accompany for a 3km stretch of downhill road...
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
With turning up, I was incredibly excited to show him these mountains and this region that hold such a large place in my heart. Adventures with your other half are always a fun balancing act..." full adventure story on our blog later today.
~ with , December 2022 / January 2023, Eastern Pyrenees 🇫🇷
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Strava Route: To Spain and back / 23.72km / 1,415m

Good morning 👋🌳
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
It’s race week and we’re ready to go 🚀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The crew is heading to NDW 50 and Half this weekend. First ultra, time on feet, PB hunt, thrill seekers, comeback or cheering on the move. We’re here for the outdoors and putting our best foot forward.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
If you happen to be out this weekend, let us know! Power on up incoming 👋📣

Tales from the Trails – Edition 2.
"Lisbon turned out to be the best plan B I could ever wish for. The weather was better than expected: blue sky and sunshine most days; daytime temperatures of 17-20C. It was great to meet up with long-time runner and friend who lives in Lisbon. Planning running adventures with a ‘local’ is definitely the way forward!
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🗒️ 🌊 We headed to Cascais, a fishing village 40mins from Lisbon, for a spectacular coastal run along the Atlantic, with views of the mountains, cliffs and the ocean – passing white sandy beaches, surfing spots, old forts via a few climbs.
🗒️ ⛰️Then I did a solo trail run in the Serra de Sintra Mountains 30km from Lisbon. This hike took me from the town of Sintra to incredible castles and palaces straight out of a fairy tale, following track paths in the forest, dirt roads, rocky cliffs and natural water sources. The day was misty so not much of a view on top of the hills, but it did give a unique eerie atmosphere to the area.
🗒️ 🏖️ Back to a beach run planned by Jérôme. It was certainly a workout! After a short boat ride across the Tagus River to Cacilhas, and a 40min bus journey, we started our run in Costa da Caparica on a 15km long beach. Apart from a few surfers, a couple of dogs, and a local runner who started following us but then gave up, we were the only ones there, with only the sounds of the waves."
~ and , December 2021, Lisboa 🇵🇹

Somewhere in the World it’s ice cream o’clock! ☀️🙌 🍦
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Feeling inspired by ’s adventures in down under 🇦🇺 where he has re-located to last year. Despite not physically running together anymore, it‘s so nice to stay connected and be part of his discoveries on foot 🌴🌿🐨🦘
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
… Gearing up for another minus temp run here in the UK, we can’t wait for the short shorts and vest season. For real! Not with freezing hands and pins 🥶😂

Tales from the Trails – Edition 1
🌴
"Running in January in Brazil reminds me of the privileges of being a runner in London! First, there aren't big parks here with easy access in every neighbourhood. Most running routes are paths alongside busy avenues! Plus, you don't have much choice when to run: dark is dangerous, especially if you're a woman. Sure, this year it has been milder, but still very warm and humid, so ego stay at home and speed is more difficult. Limitations often takes you to treadmills (aka torture chambers).
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
But this doesn't stop me! Being out is great. Trees are different here. There's a sense of connection when you cross paths with another runner in a big and harsh city like São Paulo. After a few days, you're reminded how amazing your body adapts. When the warm rain hits you, it refreshes you. And when you have some free time in the weekends, you value the trip to the parks before your run. Not to mention the fresh coconuts to hydrate after a session! And finally... definitely not flat.”
~ Gabriela Stripoli, January 2022, São Paulo 🇧🇷

How did you spend the end of 2021 / the beginning of 2022?
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
We’ve gone outside ☺️ of course!
Wast Water 🇬🇧
São Paulo 🇧🇷
Rheingrafenstein 🇩🇪
samyjames Garlaban 🇫🇷
Lake District 🇬🇧
bumping into Cascais 🇵🇹
Ontario 🇨🇦
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Tales from each trail in detail coming up next ✍️👉

From 🥶 to 🥵 via 🪂
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Delighted to bring out the parachutes again for this week’s speed and technique session. Over winter we shift our focus towards technique and efficiency: two new skills per month, intro and progression (reinforce) on a bi-weekly rota. So far we’ve worked on:
✅ stride / cadence & stride length
✅ arm / efficiency, position & drive
✅ posture / high hips & forward lean
All built into warm up drills or main set of intervals, fartlek and other fast fun things.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
And then every few weeks the team gets to test their learnings on hills or on a time trial ⏱ Progress is a wonderful thing 😍💪🏼 We’re working on it!
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Did you go to today?
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
These guys and headed to Hackney Marshes PR by the Olympic Park and for breakfast at after. A perfect start to the weekend! Take it easy, run with friends. Ease your mind after months of dedicated marathon training. Even during marathon taper a short and swift 5k is great to keep the legs sharp. Of course we’re not going for 5k PBs in this time. Yet you may find a little surprise looking at the clock 💪🏼
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Which is your local or favourite parkrun?