We usually associate base training in winter but for most people especially around Europe it has stretched out now till out spring from the lack of races.

As for me I’ve done a big block of base training in this lockdown while still attending school getting ready for my leaving cert.

The key I found to keep consistent for the past 2 months is try new things out , experiment, try new runs and try new routes for my long Sunday runs. Experimenting mileage what I am comfortable at. 

Not a race in months

Even though since September I haven’t raced or even done a time trial, throughout the winter it was hard to train and motivate myself. This could be because I couldn’t see when the next race was going ahead from everything getting cancelled. It’s something I imagine a few people can relate to.

But since the New Year I’ve really pulled my socks up and gotten to work, since we can see the end of the tunnel now from COVID and races getting scheduled it really is easy to train again. Motivation really is something that dips and grows and it’s important to be aware of that.

Another hurdle I am going to face later in the year in training is Ramadan.

Photo: Keith McClure

What Ramadan means for an athlete

As an Irish Muslim athlete I’ll be seeing tougher times in training with not being able to drink or eat apart from when it’s dark, especially in the long days in spring and summer.

But For me I see it as another training method to make me more mentally and physically strong by the end of the 28 days. A lot of elites and greats practise Ramadan towards big competition so I’m positive I can get through four weeks training while doing it. Hopefully my next blog can be about how we plan to work through and even utilise those 28 days to my advantage as an athlete. 

My Coaches, Gerry Naughton and Lee van Haeften, are getting all the lads through this hard times with training, helping out all the lads with motivation and training plans.

The goals I’m working towards for this summer is definitely national juniors and qualifying for European juniors. I’d love to try get on the team for eurocross in Dublin at the end of the year too as who doesn’t want to be running in there home soil.

But from the meanwhile it’s another big training block for towards the end of May and the start June to get back ready to race. 

The post Winter training in Spring appeared first on Fast Running.

The winner of the intermediate boys race at the All-Ireland Schools Cross Country championship back in March 2020 recently spoke to Fast Running about his excitement of adventures ahead. The Young Irish star has signed a full scholarship for Division One Providence College in the US.

So it seemed only natural to ask the distance athlete to share his experience with our readers through 2021 and hopefully get a direct insight into the experience of US collegiate running.

Fast10 Profile

Name: Abdel Laadjel
Age: 17
Hometown: Dublin, Ireland
Club: Donore Harriers
Main discipline: Long distance 3k/5k
Other disciplines: cross country and 1500
Full-time athlete/work/studying: Athlete / Secondary School Student

Photo: Gerry Naughton of Donore Harriers

Goals or targets for 2021

Win National Juniors and Make European u20, Euro cross

Past Running highlights

Winning my first national title in Schools at the mile. Also first international in Celtics and representing Ireland. Also training camps in Portugal with Donore is always a big Highlight

Interesting or fun fact

Family originates from Algeria and we try to get there every summer. Also I’ve never watched an Olympics in my life yet. [Hopefully you get the opportunity to watch one this year! – Ed.]

I run because…

I love the training and grind for getting better and also having a goal in mind to work for. It also takes some out the stress of school and gives me a lot of wonderful opportunities.

Favourite training session

Fartlek moneghetti
2 x 90 seconds effort / 90 seconds recovery
4 x 60 seconds effort / 60 seconds recovery
4 x 30 seconds effort / 30 seconds recovery
4 x 15 seconds effort / 15 seconds recovery

Least favourite training session

I dislike hard hills. Hill training is the worst but what has to be done has to be done.

Favourite pre-race food

Sweet milk with coffee
Toast
Banana

Favourite post-race food

Straight to Nandos after a race

Favourite running shoes

Pegasus 35s for miles

Brands or organisations that support me

Donore Harriers
Athletics Ireland
Providence College will start supporting me this summer.

This next fortnight we will continue to introduce the Fast10 ‘Class of 2021″ and then the blogs will start after that. Hopefully you are excited as we are to start following this year’s athletes. 

The post Fast10: Abdel Laadjel appeared first on Fast Running.