Interviewing Our 2024 Lakeland Training Group
Q1: What is the thing you've benefited from and/or enjoyed the most inside the Lakeland Training Group?
Rachel: Meeting others doing the same race, and hearing about their previous experiences. Little hints and tips along the way.
Alex: The social aspect and on the day, being surrounded by inspiring women and having the chance to talk it over in detail with like-minded people.
Krysia: The camaraderie and tips
Lynne: Getting to know people and then being able to share parts of the race with them at different bits of the course.
Fien: The connection with others in the group with the option of asking questions. And it’s helpful to hear about when others are struggling as well as doing well at different points in time.
RELATED: 3 Podcasts to Learn More About the Lakeland 50 & 100
Q2: What intimidated you most about the Lakeland 50 & 100 before crossing the finish line?
Rachel: It was my longest single-stage distance, so there was the element of the unknown in terms of distance.
Alex: The distance and the potential for bad weather and how that would affect my mind.
Krysia: Navigation.
Lynne: Hills.
Fien: Probably the navigational aspect of it, and the impact that would have on my time? It was the first race I’d done where the course wasn’t handily marked with flags I could just follow.
*Ballot opens 1st September 2025 & we get started October 2025*
Q3: What way(s) was Lakeland 50/100 easier than you expected?
Rachel: I think it was easier than expected. I felt well prepared and the course type was suited to my running - aka walking fast up hills. I managed a much faster time than anticipated.
Alex: Hills - all the practice on climbing steep hills really paid off. Unfortunately not getting as much strength training in probably didn't help but I definitely noticed hills were easier.
Krysia: I was surprised at how much low-level running there was. There was always someone to follow so navigation was ok (finished in 12hrs - may be different if finishing a lot slower).
Lynne: Nav. Visibility at night was easier without rain (for the 50!)
Fien: So many more people, so I didn’t have to navigate as much as I feared I would.
RELATED: Answering Your Questions About the Lakeland 50 and 100
Q4: What way(s) was Lakeland 50/100 harder than you expected?
Rachel: Luckily I did not have to run for too long in the dark but that was difficult for me, and something I know I am not experienced in. So I am pleased that it was only a short distance but that was tricky.
Alex: So many people which prevented too much running and meant a change in mindset. Being on my own at night when people start to string out a bit more. I think if the weather had been worse that would have made it harder
Krysia: The last climb from the last checkpoint was the most technical and hard on tired legs.
Lynne: Busy checkpoints - I didn’t consider how this would impact what I needed to do. Course conditions - boggy boggy boggy!
Fien: All.the.mud. My legs were so tired and done by the end.
*Ballot opens 1st September 2025 & we get started October 2025*
Q5: If you were going to give someone else one tip about how to better prepare for Lakeland 50 & 100 what would that be?
Rachel: Study the route - to know what to expect in terms of elevation, terrain etc.
Alex: Hills, running in the dark and strength training (sorry - they're all equally important!)
Krysia: Don’t worry - practice with your kit and organise your bag so you know where everything is so easy to get out at checkpoints.
Fien: Join one of the recces so you have an idea of what the course would be like. That helped me to feel more confident.
Doors to join the 2025 cohort of the Lakeland Training Group are closed right now.
The 2026 programme starts in October 2025 and runs for 10 months until July 2025.
OPEN TO ALL FEMALE ATHLETES WHO HAVE A PLACE IN EITHER THE LAKELAND 50 OR 100 FOR 2026.
*BALLOT FOR 2026 EVENT OPENS ON SEPTEMBER 1ST 2025*
REGISTER YOUR INTEREST ABOVE AND I’LL REMIND YOU WHEN THE BALLOT OPENS!