I am studying Sports Performance Analysis, which has given me an appreciation of how data can be used to improve performance, particularly the analysis which TrainingPeaks provides the platform for. My research skills developed at university, together with my experience as a reasonable middle distance runner (4:46 road mile, 16:57 road 5K), gives me an all round understanding from a theoretical and practical standpoint about how to improve performance.

My philosophy - particularly for my middle-long distance plans (5K) - is that to run well in a certain event, a firm foundation (aerobic fitness) is needed from which strength and speed can be built. As such, the beginner plans take an approach backed by literature which aims to build in injury prevention and management from the beginning, for example using a run/walk approach with sufficient recovery in between.

As an athlete who has suffered many injuries (particularly in the knee, calf and shin), I have made the mistakes of building volume too quickly, and equally have reaped the rewards of a patient 'trust the process' approach to training, which is what helped me achieve my 5K personal best following several injury-induced weeks off training. As such, my desire is to convey this approach through my more beginner training plans, so as to minimise injury risk while pursuing goals, and lastly, to take them on a similarly journey to what I experienced in my road to fitness!