Women’s Health UK – September 2019

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WH PROMOTION


I


‘I was determined


to see whether a


weightlifter could


be a runner’


f there’s one
woman who
knows about
goals (and
smashing
them) it’s
Laura Hoggins. PT, author and
podcaster Laura – Instagram’s
@laurabiceps – is the founder
of fitness platform Lifted,
and the weightlifting devotee
counts herself as a runner these
days, too. After completing her
first marathons in 2013 and
2014, Laura ran a third earlier
this year. Her next big challenge
is picking up the pace to tackle
the biggest half-marathon
in the world: the Simplyhealth
Great North Run.
‘Running doesn’t come
naturally to me, but if I can do
it anyone can,’ says Laura. ‘I was
determined to see whether a
weightlifter could be a runner,
because my ethos is about

STICK


TO IT


Laura shares
her top tips for
motivation

LEARN TO LOVE
EVERY RUN
‘I went from
hating each run
to genuinely
missing it when
I was injured


  • this happens
    faster than
    you imagine.’


IT’S NOT JUST
PHYSICAL
‘You learn a
huge amount
about yourself
from challenges
like these. Once
you realise you
can do them,
that confidence
transfers to the
rest of your life.’

Strongwoman Laura Hoggins on how she’s
taking on a new running challenge to add
to her weightlifting regime

PUSHING THE


LIMITS

proving you can do whatever
you set your mind to. It was the
hardest thing I’ve ever done.’
Laura is resolute about not
falling into bad habits to beat her
half-marathon PB. ‘Previously
my running goals were around
weight loss, which I achieved,
but I didn’t look after my body
properly. This time I want to
smash a PB while staying in the
best shape possible.’
After tearing her calf muscle
earlier this year, Laura wants
to ensure it doesn’t happen
again. ‘To help prevent any
further injuries, I’ll be booking
regular physio appointments,
with the support of my
Simplyhealth plan,’ she says.
‘Currently, I do strength work
two or three times a week, but
I’ll be adding three different
runs and adapting my gym
exercises to make them more
running-specific, too.’

For more information about Simplyhealth
plans, visit simplyhealth.co.uk/health-plans.
Call 0330 102 5462 to join and
quote Women’sHealth19*
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