Warm weather training helps Laura prepare for Rio Games

Local Olympian and Benfield Nissan ambassador Laura Weightman is well into her training programme on her Road to Rio.
Martin Watson, general manager at Benfield Nissan, and Laura Weightman.Martin Watson, general manager at Benfield Nissan, and Laura Weightman.
Martin Watson, general manager at Benfield Nissan, and Laura Weightman.

The Alnwick middle-distance runner says: “100 days to go …. Where have the past four years gone?, never mind the first four months of 2016!

“It’s been a busy start to the year, lots of miles ran and travelled. I kicked off the year as I have done for the past four years with a month spent in Iten, Kenya, high up in mountains of the rift valley.

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“Iten is the perfect place for me to start the year and get a big block of training done. It’s such an inspiring environment.

“Miles of winding dirt trails, the famous Kenyan dirt track that most say ranges from 402-408miles long and hundreds of athletes running every day.

“After four weeks of goat stew, ugali and hand washing your clothes it’s certainly nice to head home. Everywhere you run in Kenya children run across fields and appear next to you shouting ‘how are you?’ running alongside you totally breathless, which is embarrassing when I am struggling to say hello back.

“There is a lovely little family of children who often watch at the track, they had great fun taking selfies with athlete Bobby Clay, coach Rob Denmark and myself.

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“I had a great trip this year, ticked off some good week’s mileage, big sessions and left feeling fit ready for what’s to come.

“After Kenya I had a little racing block, running a few road relays races for my club Morpeth Harriers who I’ve ran for since I started running aged 12.

“It’s always great getting the opportunity to pull on the blue and white vest to support the club.

“As a team we won the North East road relays, finished second at the Good Friday relays and third at the Northern road relays.

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“I rounded up my road racing block with a good 5km PB at the York Park run in 16.12. This was a good little block of racing, breaks up the week in week out training and gave a good indication of my fitness.

“After a good couple months back in wet, cold and windy Leeds it was time for me to get some more sunshine!

“Just after Easter weekend I headed out to get a good week of training done in sunny Monte Gordo, Portugal.

“I love Leeds but at times it can be a challenge to get good track sessions done battling through the wind and cold so it’s nice having a week away.

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“I had lovely week spent training, relaxing in the sunshine and maybe treating myself to one too many ice cream crepes. Who can turn down them down though after a hard days training?

“As I am writing this I am now away on my final altitude training block before I kick start the season.

“I am spending three weeks in Font Romeu, France. This is my first visit and it’s such a beautiful place. Stunning mountain views all around still dusted with snow.

“I am looking forward to ticking off the final sessions, getting my spikes on and back on the start line ready to get 2016 underway.”

Benfield Nissan are proud to support Laura Weightman on her road to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

To find out more about Nissan’s partnership with Team GB, visit nissan.co.uk/uniteandexcite