You’d be forgiven for thinking that Becs Gentry was not of this world. With her long strong legs, blonde waves and healthy beauty, it would seem more likely that the Nike N+TC elevated trainer is, in fact, a Marvel superhero rather than a mortal.
Standing on a bench addressing a group of runners at a Nike Run Club Speed Session, she exudes an unbelievable amount of energy – no one else could make a grueling interval session actually sound fun!
Her energy is even more impressive when you consider that in the last six weeks she has run an Ultra trail run in Italy (that’s 47kms up and down mountains), turned 30, got married and ran the Rome Marathon, and that in the next two weeks she’ll have run the London Marathon and completed yet another mountain ultra in the Canary Islands.
You’re currently in the middle of #8weeksofcrazy, including an Ultra, Rome Marathon, your own wedding and the London marathon this week – what’s been the highlight so far?
Yes, it has been a crazy few weeks so far - but all truly awesome events! My highlight on a personal level was of course our wedding - it was the most perfect and fabulous day of my life, I’ve never had such cheek ache from smiling so much! On a professional level, the Sciacche Trail race was insane - the vistas along the 50km of steep trails provided me with much needed distraction from the climbs and descents, not to mention being able to run it step by step with my best friend.
The London Marathon is a pretty exciting event to be a part of - what’s your plan for the run and what are you most looking forward to on the day?
For me, right now, the London Marathon is going to be a steady race. I am taking the day as it comes. I achieved a PB in Rome Marathon on 10th April of 3hrs 27mins and I am thrilled with that time so I won’t be pushing myself too hard this weekend!
I am thoroughly looking forward to the cheering from home crowds and running through the Nike+ Run Club zone at mile 21. Seeing friends and fellow NRC runners smiling back at me will really encourage me on through the final tough 5 miles!
Those running the marathon on Sunday will know that long-distance running is as mentally tough as it is physically tough. When you’ve been running marathons and ultras, have you ever hit the dreaded ‘wall’ and how do you keep yourself going through those hours of running?
Funnily enough it is the road races where I feel like I am about to hit that wall. In ultras the scenery around you takes your mind off the pain and the distance! When I was running the Rome Marathon, it was unusually warm which meant I was dehydrating quicker than I would normally and started to feel heavy legged by about 35kms. I knew I had my husband and both our sets of parents at 37-38kms so seeing their faces pushed me through, after that (quickly) passed the thought of the disappointment kept me going.
At NRC we never refer to a pace as slow, we call it sexy, and that’s a great way of keeping a smile on someone’s face when it hurts. As I had not set a specific time goal for this race I knew I could take it to sexy pace when I needed to. That got me through!
Lots of people make excuses such as, ‚I’m too busy to exercise’ or ‚I don’t have time to run’. What advice would you give to help them fit exercise into their day?
We all know the lines - if Beyoncé has time, you can make time. But in all seriousness, it’s about finding a form of exercise which you can fit into your day because you enjoy it. There is nothing worse than feeling forced to train, as it then becomes low on the importance scale very quickly and you’ll slack off to do other things. Training with friends can make it easier to keep it up as you treat it like a meeting or a date – it’s important but it also fun.
Stick to a routine that works for you - if you establish training at a certain time of day, at whatever location - at home or in a gym class or outside, then maintain that. It will quickly become part of your life and stop being an additional event that you can contemplate not doing.
There are always going to be certain times when we have to adapt to what else is going on which may mean you skip a training session, but it is important to understand that this is ok. It doesn't mean you write off your whole day and consume as many calories and sugar as possible, instead accept it, eat well, rest well and then get back to your routine as quickly as you can.
You could even just start walking or cycling to where you have to be instead of using other forms of transport to get your exercise in - it doesn't always have to mean sacrificing large amounts of time sweating out in a gym!
Have running and fitness always been a big part of your life?
In a way, yes it has. At school I wasn't a big fan of running, but I had long legs and seemed to be able to just get on with cross country and longer track distances. I have always loved walking, I prefer to walk than take public transport, so I think naturally one day it clicked that maybe I would like running. My passion really ignited when I lived in Brighton and commuted to London as a PR - running along the coastline was my meditation and escape.
Is it important to supplement running with other forms of training and exercise?
I believe that in order to be a strong runner you must train in other disciplines. I strive to keep my entire body strengthened through HIIT training - using body weight and light weights in high intensity circuits. I can recommend using the Nike+ Training Club app for these workouts as they push you hard and having the queue in your ear with your music on is priceless.
Personally right now, amidst all these races, I am actually decreasing my HIIT training as it is high cardio and fatigues me quickly. Instead I am focusing on strength training with heavier weights to increase my power.
As a general rule, I run - all distances and speed training; strength train; go to a Barry’s Bootcamp class and do some yoga or rehabilitation work at home with my husband, who specialises in corrective training.
What do you love most about running?
The freedom of mind it gives me. Without a doubt this is what drew me into running and has never left me. I enjoy every step, and with every mile my mind becomes clearer and my smile bigger. It reinvigorates me even when I am exhausted.
You seem to be on the go constantly, what do you do to relax and unwind?
I stay at home! I travel quite a lot and when I am in London I always seem to be dotting around between my Personal Training clients, teaching treadmill classes at Equinox and NRC sessions. So being at home with my husband and doing nothing is heaven. I love to take a Westlab Epsom Salt bath, and put my feet up in my Nike compression socks with a glass of good red wine, while Chris [my husband] cooks an awesome healthy meal.
Do you have a favourite mantra that you live by?
Smile every morning when you open your eyes and thrive throughout your day as the best version of yourself you can be without taking life too seriously!
Can you recommend any post-workout snacks and what is your favourite meal to cook for yourself after training?
Spirulina and Ginseng Bounce Balls are my go-to snack pre- and post-workout. I always have them in my gym bag! If I can go home and eat after training, I love to make Grilled Halloumi, Mango and Avocado salad - packed with loads of leaves, tomatoes, seeds, cashew nuts and top quality olive oil.
Your role as a coach and elevated trainer with Nike means you work a lot helping and training other people. What’s the best part of your job?
Seeing other runners achieve a personal best. It is the most awesome feeling whether it is their first run where their PB is the fact they ran full stop, or whether they've been working hard over sessions and break a 10K PB!
What would your advice be to someone that was feeling unmotivated to get out and run or is even just too scared to start?
Come and run with us! Running as part of a group is the best way to not feel intimidated by running. At pretty much every session there are new runners, and I always encourage them to come and find me, or the coach taking the session, so we can chat through how they feel before we start. At NRC sessions we have every different level of runner, and a pacer to suit each one. Meeting as a massive group makes it feel like a social occasion and it creates friendships; these are the relationships that keep you running as you want to come along each week to see these people and in turn you get better at running.
Also - never forget buying some new training kit is a sure fire way of feeling motivated too! The better you feel about the session the more confident you’ll be about going, so treat yourself to those new trainers or tights and feel awesome!
And, finally could you recommend 10 songs on your running playlist that keep you motivated?
Running - Autograf
Where Are U Know by Jack U - Justin Bieber: Skrillex and Diplo Remix
Earthquake ft. Tinie Tempah - Labrinth
Take Me To Church - Hozier
Let It Happen - Tame Impala
No Diggity - Chet Faker
N.Y. State of Mind - Nas
Famous - Kanye West
Stressed Out - Twenty One Pilots
Feeling OK - Best Coast
Becs Gentry is a Nike + NRC Run Club Coach; Nike N+TC elevated trainer; Personal Trainer and Fitness Model. Cheer her on at the London Marathon on Sunday or if you want to start running, or join in on an NRC run, head to _www.nike.com/run-club_and find out what’s going on in your city.