Fitness: Challenges to sign up for and kit to wear
The latest stylish workout attire to motivate you from the gym to the barre, TTP Cambridge Half Marathon news and wellbeing treats galore
With its flat course passing countless historic landmarks – including two iconic university colleges – it’s no surprise that the TTP Cambridge Half Marathon remains incredibly popular with amateur and professional runners alike.
Returning for its 11th outing on Sunday, March 6, the 13.1-mile closed-street race, which has seen thousands of runners gain PBs because of its swift hill-free route, begins and ends at Midsummer Common.
The elite runners will set off at 9.30am, and then waves of runners will embark at staggered times, to make the event as covid safe as possible.
Last year the half marathon took place in October – delayed because of pandemic restrictions – and saw more than 10,000 runners pound the streets as part of the Festival of Running.
The headline charity partner for the 2022 event is Alzheimer’s Research UK, with national partners including Cancer Research UK, Macmillan Cancer Support and Charlie Waller, plus local charity beneficiaries such as Cambridge Rape Crisis Centre and The Sick Children’s Trust.
Good luck to all the runners!
Find out the latest at cambridgehalfmarathon.com
If your fitness regime is failing to gain traction, perhaps it’s time to re-evaluate your goals (ie, be realistic!). Snapping up a few new pieces of versatile gym kit could also help to get you in the right mindset. Velvet loves sustainable athleisure wear brand Feel Fit, both for its eco credentials and its vibrant figure-flattering range.
On a mission to ‘save our planet and oceans one pair of leggings at a time’, Feel Fit is carbon neutral (its studio is powered by eco indoor bikes; very cool), plants a tree for each purchase, and uses Econyl® - a regenerated nylon made from recycled fishing nets – throughout its range.
For SS22, the brand has launched a capsule collection of organic cotton yoga tops, including the Escape to the Barre Slouch Tee (a loose-fitting light and comfy beauty, with off-shoulder neckline,) and the ESCAPE Cropped Hoodie (perfectly suited to the studio and the shops, with drop shoulders, extra-long cuffs and handy thumbholes). Time for a workout wardrobe refresh?
Shop at myfeelfit.com
We know the term ‘self-care’ is bandied around a lot, but if life is beginning to feel a little relentless, it’s important to carve out some ‘me’ time. Take a long walk and fill your lungs with fresh air, curl up beneath a cosy blanket with a page-turner or try a few minutes meditation. While you’re at it, light this heavenly essential oil wellness candle by sustainable brand Cockles and Heart.
A citrusy blend of ylang ylang, petitgrain, lime, coconut and rapeseed oil, decorated with rose petals, the Lights Down Low candle is designed to alleviate stress and boost positivity. Just what the doctor ordered!
Lights Down Low candle, £14.99 for 100ml, at cocklesandheart.co.uk
With working from home the new norm, many of us have swapped crisp shirts and pencil skirts for cosy gym gear and laid-back looks. Fortunately, you can update your WFH wardrobes without breaking the bank thanks to the new spring/summer collections released by Matalan and Sainsbury’s.
Souluxe, Matalan’s activewear range, features an array of running, yoga and training wear, ideal for winter workouts – and smart enough to don for Zoom calls. We adore this season’s
eye-catching detail, including vivid patterns, bold colour blocking and animal print designs.
Tu’s range at Sainsbury’s will also help you feel your personal best, with its on-trend khaki coords, soft hoodies, and Aztec print leggings. Happy shopping!
Buy in store or at matalan.co.uk and tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk
If you’re in need of a quick pick-me-up (which doesn’t involve a stack of chocolate digestives), this uplifting essential oil blend could be the perfect elixir. Di-Gize® - created by essential oil specialists Young Living - combines tarragon, fennel, ginger, peppermint, juniper, lemongrass, anise and patchouli oils for an exotic feel-good concoction. Apply a few drops to the chest or wrists as a warming mood-lifter, or massage directly into the tummy to alleviate digestion issues. You can even add it into body lotion or shampoo. A dinky bottle of goodness, if ever we saw one!
Shop the Young Living range at youngliving.com
Once a subject swept under the carpet, the menopause is finally being discussed openly as an array of celebrities, from Davina McCall to Oprah Winfrey, reveal their own struggles - and share advice on what worked for them. From HRT to alternative therapies, there are an array of treatments which can alleviate symptoms.
BOMIMO® - a new UK-based supplement brand designed for women, by women – has launched The MenoShake, a protein shake, packed with natural ingredients, said to support women through ‘the change’. These include plant-based pea and brown rice proteins, marine collagen, a vitamin and mineral complex and key botanicals, designed to achieve a state of hormonal equilibrium. The chocolate flavoured shake, which can be mixed with milk or water, also helps to maintain healthy blood sugar, blood pressure and lipid levels, promote lean muscle mass, enhance fat burning capacity and boost metabolic functions.
Buy at bomimonutrition.com (£34.99 for 500g)
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Louise Cummings