Runner\'s World UK - 09.2019

WORDS: SOPHIE GODDARD. PHOTOGR

APHS: IAN HARRISON. ART DIR

ECTION: BEN BRILEY. *LINES

OPEN MON-FRI, 9AM-8P

M; SAT, 9AM-3PM

NAME Courtney Fearon

AGE 35

HOMETOWN London

OCCUPATION Fitness coach

INSTA @thehiitman

RW//PROMOTION

MY SIZE

DOESN’T

MATTER

Former professional sprinter

Courtney Fearon is switching to

longer distance running – and out

to prove that his build is no obstacle

Health and fitness coach Courtney

Fearon is no stranger to hard work

in the gym. But the next challenge

for the Nike trainer and former

sprinter is running the Simplyhealth

Great North 5K on 7 September.

‘A 5K might not sound too hard to

most people, but I’m used to running

much shorter distances. So my goal

is to push my limits and beat my PB

of 21 minutes – I’m aiming to get

sub-20,’ says Fearon. ‘I also weigh

around 100kg, which is why this

challenge is all about pushing

my body in a different way and

dispelling the myth that a heavier

person can’t run long distances.’

Fearon’s varied schedule as a PT

means he squeezes in his training

sessions whenever possible. ‘I’m

active five out of seven days and

I grab time to train in between

coaching. For example, on a

Monday I’ll do a 45-minute

weights session, then I’ll teach a

Versaclimber class. In the evening

I’ll do a track session – I’ve started

doing three weekly 200m and

400m sessions with the ultimate

goal of competing in the Canadian

Masters Athletics Championships.’

In the immediate run-up to the

5K, Fearon plans to make some

small but effective changes to his

training routine. ‘My current

sessions will have a beneficial

impact on my race time, but around

four weeks before the run I’ll

start bringing in some more

long-distance training on top.’

He’s also mindful of injuries.

‘When I was at university, I

damaged my knee playing football

and didn’t have rehab – ignoring it

meant it didn’t heal properly. I’ve

had niggles ever since – I pulled

my right hamstring and currently

have a swollen ankle, so I’ve been

using the Versaclimber instead of

running, and an aqua belt to “run”

in the pool with less impact.

‘I’ll also be using my plan from

Simplyhealth to support my

fitness goals and help pay towards

the cost of regular physio

appointments. It’s a great way to

help fix issues, avoid injury and

maintain peak performance.’

For more about Simplyhealth plans, visit simplyhealth.co.uk/health-plans.

Call 0330 102 5462* to join and quote Runner’sWorld19