Home » Events » 'Be a better Runner' Weekend Seminar

'Be a better Runner' Weekend Seminar

Date: 1 day on the 5th February 2011
Who: Brendon Todd, Ali Dennis, Emma Ellis, Lotty Turnidge and Greig Rightford
Cost: $199.00 per person
Seminar Length: 1 full day, 9:00am-5:00pm
Venue: Wellington Girls' College Field, Pipitea Street, Thorndon
Wet Weather Venue: Wellington Girls' College Old Gym, Pipitea Street, Thorndon
Register: Online registration form

Running seminar weekend:

This Seminar is presented by trainer/marathon runners Emma Ellis and Greig Rightford, running technique expert Ali Dennis, Exercise Rehabilitation and Tri-athlete expert Brendon Todd (Pro-Active Physiotherapy) and elite female marathon runner Lotty Turnidge.

What will be involved?

This seminar takes an in-depth look at how to train for an endurance running event involving: injury prevention, the psychology behind distance running, running technique, the vital principles of a training programme and how to design your own training programme. Five highly regarded specialists will be your training mentors and help you to reach new heights in your running.

The experts presenting have been involved in the health and fitness industry for several years and their accumulated experience and expertise is invaluable. If you want to have a substantial effect on running performance, if you want to learn how to train 'smart' or just want to run your first race, this weekend is for you!

Expect a day packed with information (both theory and practical) that requires concentration and occasionally physically strenuous bouts of exercise.You are required to bring your own refreshments, however basic snacks will be provided for the day.

What is the background of the trainers?

Ali Dennis

Ali Dennis is a professional running and swimming coach for Fitness Goals Limited - www.fitnessgoals.co.nz. Ali has owned and operated his own business for 18 years and has 22 years coaching experience. He is a recognised coaching professional in New Zealand and has earned a reputation for providing unique and excellent programmes for athletes and fitness goers, particularly his running technique workshop "Striding on!" which is sold internationally as a dvd (www.stridingon.com). Ali has both swim and run level coaching papers from Athletics and Swim New Zealand as well as a Diploma in Exercise Science. He also has a strong background in physiological fitness testing having previously worked at Wellington Hospital Respiratory Lab. Ali is also an experienced athlete having been involved in many events from 1500 meters to marathon, up to 7 hour open water swimming expeditions as well as multidiscipline racing, including the Ironman and Crazyman.

In recent years Ali has been focusing on overcoming some long term injuries. He is now a strong believer in reducing shoe support and re-educating the body to support itself during running. Ali will be assisting you with your running technique and teaching you about how to use intervals effectively

Greig Rightford

Greig is HFD's Director and has been a fitness trainer for a number of years in Wellington with running as his main focus. Greig believes in practising what he preaches to his clients - he has completed a number of marathons, half-marathons, and 12/24-hour mountain bike events throughout New Zealand. Over the years Greig has used himself as a 'guinea pig' and experimented with his training enough to know what does (and doesn't) work in regards to marathon running.

Emma Ellis

Emma is a fitness trainer who loves running; she has loads of experience with training running groups for events in and around Wellington and New Zealand. She has completed a number of half-marathons and marathons herself following a similar philosophy to Greig. She has worked as a trainer, with a particular focus on training runners to become stronger, fitter, and faster in and outside the gym. Emma's background in counselling at Victoria University has allowed her to explore the psychology behind training in competitive running. She brings a valuable perspective to this seminar.

Lotty Turnidge

"I wasn't born a runner and don't consider myself particularly gifted athletically. I didn't show any particular natural talent at school for sports however I've always been determined, competitive and to a certain extent pig headed (just ask my husband). I started running in my late 20's (10 years ago) with the aim of being able to run for a mile without stopping. (My first run I didn't make it to the end of the street). Within a year I was full fledged fun runner and set myself the goal of running the london marathon - my target being to do it in 4 hours without stopping. I managed 3.57, an achievement I was pleased with but it got me thinking - 'what could I achieve and how well could I do if I set my mind to it and trained properly'.
When I moved to New Zealand in 2005 I started to run more regularly and train smart under the guidance of a local running coach(Matt Dravitzki a 2.13 marathoner). All of a sudden my running went to another level and with that myself belief. It's amazing what you can achieve when you start to believe in yourself. Since moving to NZ I've completed numerous events including 8 marathons and I've turned into an athlete that I simply would not have thought possible10 years ago. The birth of my little boy in 2007didn't hold me back as I continued to improve and collect PB's over every distance I raced including 5k, 10k, half marathon and the marathon with my ultimate goal of running a sub 3hour marathon being achieved at Christchurch marathon last year. The fact that I'm not a natural born runner hasn't affected my running achievements nor has motherhood or getting older - as I've now realised the main thing that holds us back is often in the mind and if you remove that limitation then who knows when you'll stop getting fitter and faster..."

"...I'll be aiming for lots more PB's in the future including a sub 2.50 marathon and hope to motivate others towards achieving their running goals too by sharing some of the valuable training tips and advice I have learnt along the way!"

Lotty's biggest running achievements to date:

Gold - NZ National Marathon champs Vet 35 (Rotorua 2008)
1st Lady course record - Wellington Marathon (June 2008 & 2009)
1st Lady course record again - Wellington Marathon (June 2009)
1st Lady - Wellington Round the Bays (Feb 2009)
Bronze - NZ Road Champs (Dunedin Sept 2009)

What can I expect to learn and gain from attending this seminar?

Increase in stride length and frequency
Improve Running technique involving posture, arm drive, stride length, frequency and more
Prevent future injury and learn how to tackle current 'niggles'
Learn how to design your own structured training program
Be able to periodically contact your mentor for advice and monitoring of your progress
Learn from experienced runners mistakes and successes and benefit from their perspective
Engage in the psychology of running and learn what's involved in tackling with the mental aspect of training and performance