Mad March Marathon Training Weekend 2008 with John Bryant

What a cosmopolitan group our guests turned out to be this time! On our annual Mad March Marathon Training Weekend at Balmoral we had guests from Ireland, USA, Poland (ok .... now living in Ealing!) and all over the UK. It was also great to see so many familiar faces from previous training weekends and RTH tailored holidays.

John Bryant, Trustee of the London Marathon, author, journalist and former elite athlete was our special guest speaker for the weekend. He gave us an incredible insight to his new book "The Marathon Makers" as well as many anecdotes about running the London Marathon and coaching others to do the same. His advice, inspiration and motivation will not only benefit those running the marathion in London but anyone running any event, anywhere.

We were also delighted to welcome Don Macgregor, former GB Olympic marathon runner and World Veteran Marathon Champion. Don was John's other half in a double act where they told the story about one of the first marathons ever to be run. Don also helped Mel Edwards, our Endurance Coach, in providing each of our guests with some personal coaching advice.

Usually the weather on our training weekends is magically perfect and so it was a surprise to be faced with a howling gale and horizontal sleet/snow for our long run on the Saturday. Being runners, everyone got stuck in and weathered the storm to come back feeling really pumped up (if exhausted) and ready to face any marathon ahead!

It is also worth noting that Ruth and Emma, members of the RTH team, provided guests with sessions on "Stretching & Core Stability For Runners" using Gerard Hartmann's tried and tested exercises. (Gerard being our special guest speaker in November 2007 & Physical Therapist to Paula Radcliffe, Sonia O'Sullivan, Kelly Holmes, Haile Gebreselassie and many others).

The rest of the RTH team for the weekend were Neil, Davie, Chris, Catriona, Lynn and Gail. Glyn, Head Ranger at Balmoral, gave his talk on the management and wildlife of the Estate.

The food and sports massage was especially well received and Balmoral, as ever, provided a super base for a training weekend.

"Brilliant weekend ..........This was a marathon training weekend and I achieved my goal and more with good company of participants and those involved. Keep up the good work - very good product!" Rosey from Aberdeen