Strenua's World

Christmas gifts don’t have to be unimaginative books, CDs or socks. Today Gifts For a First Time Marathon Runner, from training schedules to motivation, food to pampering we have stocking filler ideas for every budget.

Christmas gifts don’t have to be unimaginative, if you’re looking for an original stocking filler for an active person, how about a waterproof action camera. We have two suggestions for different budgets both with great Christmas offers.

Expecting a long wait at the cold start area of the New York City Marathon I was looking to keep warm with a light, compact and cheap sleeping bag. Read my review of the Berghaus Flare 700 Mummy Sleeping Bag.

View photos from New York City Marathon’s 2010 International Friendship Run and watch Paul Tergat receive the Abebe Bikila Award for his outstanding contribution to the sport of distance running.

As a final long training run before the New York marathon I ran the Spires and Steeples Challenge, a 26 mile event run from Lincoln to Sleaford along the Spires & Steeples Arts and Heritage Trail. In spite of a few navigational errors, the views and camaraderie between competitors make it a great way to complete your marathon long training runs or just enjoy walking the Lincolnshire countryside.

The deadline for Good for Age entries for the 2011 Virgin London marathon is approaching. Check the qualifying times to see if you can apply and avoid the ballot.

Summer is finally here, a perfect time to go for a run or jog in the sun. Whether you are new to running to get fit or just enjoying exercising outdoors in this fantastic weather, having a goal to aim for is always great motivation to keep training.

What could be a better goal than to run a 5K for charity?

Which celebrities deserve your respect for their dedication to training for the 2010 Virgin London Marathon and who saw it more as a huge photo opportunity. Find their finishing times here.