Training

Pyllon Coaching continues to grow with International athletes joining the Coaching team

Pyllon Coaching continues to grow with International athletes joining the Coaching team

There have been a number of positive changes at Pyllon recently as the team continues to help more runners take on bigger and bolder challenges.

International athletes Rob Turner, Grant MacDonald and Debbie Martin-Consani have all joined the Pyllon Coaching team.

We have launched new products to help more people get more from their training and racing: Pyllon LITE, which is a more cost effective option for athletes who do not need weekly contacts with a coach, and TRAX for athletes racing shorter distances, from 5K to marathon on trail, road and XC.

Rob Turner joins Pyllon Coaching team to support Road, Trail & XC runners

Rob Turner joins Pyllon Coaching team to support Road, Trail & XC runners

We have created a new Coaching arm for Pyllon, that will allow us to support athletes focused on shorter events, from 5K to marathon distance - on Trail, Road or XC. It’s called Pyllon TRAX and we are delighted to announce that Rob Turner will be joining the Pyllon Coaching team to lead our approach to supporting these athletes. We spoke to Rob to find out more about Pyllon TRAX and his own running background:

Thinking About Why: Jo's Munro Record Round

Thinking About Why: Jo's Munro Record Round

With all the uncertainty brought on by continued lockdowns and the call of adventure becoming louder by the day, we were super-excited to hear about Jo’s bold, personal challenge which she has been working on for some time. Jo is no stranger to the mountains and is no slouch off-trail, especially when it comes to letting loose on descents! So here’s what’s involved in this record attempt this weekend.

Tom's 24 hour Challenge

Tom's 24 hour Challenge

“PXP3 taught me a lot of things – Adventure and Being Bold really resonated though and, with this in mind, a couple of months into becoming a Pyllon athlete (treating ourselves as “athletes” being another big learning) and after some encouragement by Kaz to think about some adventures/challenges I settled on a 24 hour challenge.”

A Royal Mile Marathon: Running Through Lockdown - Chiara Franzosi

A Royal Mile Marathon: Running Through Lockdown - Chiara Franzosi

In the past few weeks we have been treasuring words like adaptability, opportunity, kindness, and optimism. We have been reconsidering all our daily routine, relationships, diet, training and thoughts about why we run and what are priorities in life. We have been amazed at the acts of kindness we have seen in the world and the powerful impact they had on others.

Pyllon Racing: Grant MacDonald - Be careful what you wish for

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GRANT MACDONALD. As part of the Pyllon Racing team, I was asked to “write a wee article about being selected to run for your country” a few weeks ago. Well since the country is currently getting itself in a big muddle over Brexit I am going to start this article with a Brexit analogy. I appreciate this is a very questionable way of grabbing your attention but bear with me, the two are linked.

Back in December after 3 years of trying I finally got a 24hour race right, running a bit over 250km at the Barcelona 24 hour race. The following month my selection for the GB team for the World Championships in Albi was confirmed. Weirdly the moment the email came in reminded me a lot of the 2016 EU referendum result. No really, stick with me. 

Watch the footage of the referendum result being announced and you can catch a brief moment of panic in the eyes of leaders of the Leave campaign when they actually win. Almost like they hadn't thought through the consequences of what a win would actually mean. That was what being selected for GB felt like to me.

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I think if there had been a camera when the email confirming my place in the GB team came in, my face would have had the same flash of panic.  After 3 years of trying I was 99% delighted, but a small part of me was in full Farage mode thinking "Sh*t, I know I said I wanted this but I didn't think you would actually pick me!" Imposter syndrome definitely kicked in for the next few days. 

Eventually I got my head around selection and got stuck into training for Albi. I decided a big part of the training would be about the mental side of things. Sure I can run 250km in a low pressure race where nobody really cares about the result but doing it in a GB vest is going to be a whole different kind of pressure.

The last 8 months have been spent trying to get me to the start line in great shape and most importantly making sure my head is right for the biggest race of my life. If Paul and I have done our jobs properly I will be able to stand on the start line at the World Championships feeling like I belong there, not like an imposter. Have we achieved this?  We'll find out on 26th October.

PG (Grant’s coach): “Grant has trained incredibly well for the race and is in fantastic shape so all we can do now is wish him the very best of luck, and hope that he (and the rest of the team) get a chance to relax over the next few days. James Stewart will also be racing so it’s going to be a very exciting day for the whole Pyllon family.”

PYLLON RACING - JAMES STEWART ON REBUILDING AGAIN

PYLLON RACING - JAMES STEWART ON REBUILDING AGAIN

Now, everyone’s training is different. Because of that, I am not going to sit here and write “I ran this far, at this pace, with these efforts.” I find that dangerous and not very helpful. Plus, whilst I love numbers I am more of a feel guy.