Beat the Viper369

The Viper 369 is just 6 months away! The most prominent bit of feedback we received after our 2015 V369 event was how many people under estimated the brutality of this event.

We want more people get to get to the end of their chosen category and we are here to help!

Training is so important for this event. It isn’t a standard 10km or half marathon that you can just rock up to the start line and crack out. It takes disciplined and specific training.

It is not only a relay. It is a relay against the clock. It is a relay that pushes you to run faster and harder the more tired you get. It is a relay that takes team work, determination and focus.

There are 4 main categories of training you will need to include in your weeks leading up to April that will help you beat the Viper.

Trails

Hills

Speed

Strength

TRAILS

I am not trying to teach anyone to suck eggs, but I was surprised at how many people who entered the V369 this year that had never ran a trail! Now… There is nothing wrong with that if you are coming to enjoy the day and complete a few laps! But if you are taking the V369 seriously, then getting out on the trails to put the miles in is super important! Roads & treadmills just won’t cut it when it comes to the terrain of our routes in 2016.

HILLS

Wonderful, wonderful hills! If you can get them in with your trails then that’s awesome but set aside a specific session that solely focusses on hills… and lots of them. Steep ones and long enduring ones. Because we have both at the V369 2016.

SPEED

If you understand how the V369 works, you will know that as the event goes on, extra laps are added to be completed but the 3hour time limit stays the same; which forces runners to speed up, so speed training is an absolute must. Especially getting your body used to speed on tired legs. Speed and interval training should definitely be a part of your plan. Why not do a HILL SPEED session! Ouch!

STRENGTH

Don’t be shy of the gym as an outdoor trail runner. It can only make you a better runner. Barbell Squats, Plyo Box Jumps & Deadlifts will all benefit and strengthen your bones, ligaments, tendons & muscles for the strain the V369 will put on it! While I am on the subject of the gym. A lot of running junkies never train the core! The core is such an important muscle group that stabilizes the hips and spine when running. Strong core = Strong runner! Don’t skip core day!

If you include these 4 areas of training in your V369 plan you will give yourself a fantastic head start.

The Viper369 is not easy. It isn’t supposed to be easy. It has been designed to give runners a challenge to be earned. A challenge that needs to be trained for. A challenge that demands respect. A challenge to be proud that you finished.

Have a great 6 months training and we will see you all on the start line in April.

Stuart

Team Viper

Personal Trainer

Trail Running Junkie!

#running #Viper369 #trailrunning #delamereforest