Blog

Give yourself a chance to recover

Well, it's been ages since I posted, but now that marathon madness is done and dusted for a while, there's no excuse. I didn't run a spring marathon this year because I know I take a long time to recover from them and that would have got in the way of my ironman...

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My first over-distance swim

The other day I ended up swimming further than the ironman swim distance (3.8k or 2.4 miles).  I merrily swam 4k in 1 hour 24. Very happy with that.  I did the 3.8k distance in 1.19 which bodes well for the ironman. I understand that swimming in a pool is easier than...

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Cycling vs running from a body's viewpoint

Preparing for the ironman, my training week now involves not only a long run, but a long bike and a long swim instead.  Anyone who's a distance runner either looks forward to or dreads the long run... but whichever way it's an important session that has to be fitted...

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Sport Relief – if they can do it, we all can!

Have been loving the Sport Relief coverage.  If all those relatively unfit celebs can achieve what they've achieved with hardly any training, think what we can achieve if we do train! The cycling from John O'Groats to Lands End was of particular interest because...

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Are foam rollers any good?

I'm doing so much training at the moment that, if were rich, I would have a massage every other day if I could. My shoulders and neck are suffering from getting used to my new bike position.  My arms and back are doing a lot of swimming - not really a problem but...

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It's tough, cross country…

Did the  English National Cross Country Championships on Saturday and I have renewed respect for people who race cross country regularly. You don't need to qualify for these championships - just to be a member of a club.  I was making the trek to Leeds so that my son...

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Training to heart rate

Training for my ironman event this July I'm doing things slightly differently.  Rather than concentrating on distance and pace, as I would for marathon training, I'm training to time and heart rate. This means that, in the current endurance base-building phase, rather...

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It's that marathon time of year again…

I'm starting to see a build up of new clients who are training for spring marathons.  Typically, a marathon training programme for a spring marathon will start around Christmas so, now that it's mid-Feb, people have got a good six to eight weeks of training behind...

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Cramp – youch

I'm still smarting from another failed attempt at going sub 4 at the Amsterdam marathon last month. Conditions were perfect.  I was uninjured, had dropped about half a stone, had been strength training at the gym once a week, doing weekly pilates for that essential...

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Seasonal injuries

A few weeks ago I saw a spate of runners with adductor problems. (Adductors are the inner thigh muscles that you use to squeeze your legs together). If I'm honest I can't explain that particular situation, but some other spates of particular problems are easier to...

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Clinic hours

Daytime: Monday to Friday, from 7am

Last appointment: 5pm

Price

From 1st Feb 2025

£55 per one hour session
(£50 for members of WADAC and Winchester Running Club)

Email

lou@louwalker.com

Enquiries and appointments

Testimonials

What People Are Saying

You worked wonders in my legs.  Needed at sub 1:37 for New York. Ran 1:36.46 at Gosport today.  Thank you so much.

Susan B

Lou provided excellent massage and advice as part of preparations for my first 100 mile ultramarathon. With her help I was able to train harder and more consistently than ever before and I firmly believe that our regular massage sessions prepared me so that I was able to recover so well after the event. Because Lou is an accomplished endurance athlete herself this really helps her understand her clients’ needs.
Grant V

Lou’s pleasant personality exudes friendliness and warmth making you feel welcome yet with adequate professional respectfulness. As a patient one feels reassured of her care and empathy. Her conduct as a valuable and efficient therapist cannot be doubted.
Gunnel B

I’ve been having massages with Lou for 8 years and always felt better as a result, both before and after racing. She’s a very friendly expert and you can always guarantee restored legs and spirits after a session.

James M