06/02/16

Welcome to our latest newsletter, and what a jam packed month we have had here at Blizard Towers!

January saw our latest On Running Try On event, with a 5k time trial and the now traditional Banting breakfast, a very busy edition of our free physiotherapy advice service, and our first ever Dry Swim Workshop with 10 lucky triathletes and swimmers delving the depths of top coach Jono Frary’s race planning expertise,

We also featured some top performing Team Blizard athletes in profile articles, including Kelly Raven, Max Polson, Karen Lynch and Jo Goodier, focussing on how they have either already maximised their potential with heart rate training and physiotherapy from our experts, or are making big plans for the forthcoming season with the help of Blizard’s growing coaching team.

You can also find out what is in store this month, with the Valentines 5km time trial, another physiotherapy advice clinic and Dry Swim Workshop, and excitingly, our first ever Pop Up Shop event at Normanby Hall, complete with training runs, expert workshops and the chance to snap up some top quality Team Blizard kit and On Running shoes!

Physiotherapy News

Jenny Blizard once again had one of her regular physiotherapy articles published in the top sports publication, Athletics Weekly. In the feature, Jenny advised how essential it is to maintain thoracic spine mobility, and highlighted how foam rolling can do this job easily in just a few minutes a day.

The thoracic spine houses the central nervous system - where all of our nerves stem from - and thus it is important to keep it mobile to keep you injury free, flexible, breathing easily and as flexible as possible.
Learn how you can do this with an ultra simple foam roller exercise in the article featured on our website (in the Physiotherapy section of the Articles menu), which also features top GB sprinter and Blizard physiotherapy client, Kristie Edwards.












Women’s Health advice available to all as part of our free confidential service



We are proud to have two dedicated physiotherapists qualified to advise and treat any Women’s Health issues as part of our fully confidential advice service. Jenny Blizard and Kate Stowers are also available to take free group talks. For more info email: jenny@blizardphysiotherapy.co.uk

This month we featured a fascinating case study focussing on a female marathon runner, struggling with bladder and pelvic issues. Her problems were resolved by regular physiotherapy at the clinic, ensuring she can continue training for her big challenge in the spring, and run with confidence.

To read the full case study visit the Physiotherapy section of the website.

Our Team Blizard clothing range was launched, giving anyone the chance to join our gang!

We have been really excited to launch our fantastic Newline Team Blizard kit range, which includes everything you could possibly need for training and racing, from hats, gloves and t-shirts to race vests, compression tights and jackets, and so much more.

Every top, jacket and gilet will have the Team Blizard print emblazoned on it once you have ordered online, with a fantastic 10% off all of this exciting new range.



The Team Blizard kit range joins the rest of our fast expanding sports clothing selection in the Blizard shop at the clinic, alongside the popular Pro-tec and 66Fit physiotherapy equipment, Finis swim kit and Lornah Sports and Newline clothing.

We are proud to offer the option to browse on our website shop at your leisure, enabling you to take your time to choose your products in your own time, ordering online, before collecting your items at the clinic.
You then have the chance to chat to our experts about your order in store if you have any questions about how to use the equipment or how to look after the clothing, ensuring you leave us happy and confident you have made a valued purchase.

Our in store Blizard shop is open every Wednesday and Thursday 2-8pm and Saturdays from 10.30am. To check it out now, visit the Shop section of the website.













Racing Action - our Team Blizard athletes excel

Our athletes never fail to prove their mettle in all competitions, and January was no different, with runners in action on all terrains in the first month of 2016.
Team Blizard took on hugely challenging conditions in muddy regional cross country championships in the North, South and the Midlands, while success was also reaped on the roads in the Brass Monkey 10k and half marathon, and the Ferriby 10m race in Hull.

Our elite Team Blizard sprinter, Kristie Edwards - supported with physiotherapy for eight years at the clinic - scored a fantastic bronze medal when she represented England in the Vienna indoor international over 200m!
The impressive talent was thrilled to represent her country for the first time as a senior, and did us all proud as she ran a SB over the full lap distance indoors to come third after an astonishing 12 heats.

She told us how she felt about the whole experience, as well as giving us an insight into her future competition goals.

Kristie said: “Vienna was brilliant, I loved every single second of it. I was a little gutted as I ran 24:24 and next in my heat was 25.7, so I had no one to run with, but I'm over the moon that my times are finally coming back down after last season and me moving coaches!
“Regarding this year’s competitions, I'm ‘milking’ it while I can, as you never know what's round the corner, so I'm enjoying every second, and making sure I am training really hard!”

Sheffield’s Rob Jones was also in action on the boards in his home city, running his first ever 1500m indoors, while top off-road Blizard member Matt Lalor won the Hoofstones fell race, despite it being a very traditionally non-marked course - incredible!

To read the full race reports, visit the Team Blizard section under the Article menu on the website.












Injury Prevention

Don’t wait until you’re injured to see one of our five-strong physiotherapy team, get those niggles treated early, book yourself in for regular maintenance sessions, and ensure you remain fit, strong and injury free all year round!















Tickhill runner Max Polson has made huge leaps forwards in fitness and performance following physiotherapy treatment for a horrific leg break towards the end of 2013, and we featured his story in January to highlight how you too can beat an injury, no matter how severe, with Blizard.
He explained how he has managed to keep on top of his injury and prevent it interfering with his training: “I try and have a physiotherapy 'service' at least once a quarter - this stops the issues and helps me get fitter and faster!
“I’ve got to keep on top of my rehabilitation due to the nature of my leg break, but luckily I have warning signs, and, if I see these, I book into see Jenny."















PLANNING AHEAD - OUR MONTHLY FREE PHYSIOTHERAPY ADVICE CLINIC & JONO’S ‘DRY’ SWIM WORKSHOP ARE BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND

This month’s biggest event is our inaugural Pop Up shop event at Normanby Hall on February 20th, where we will be offering free workshops on injury prevention featuring interactive exercises to help ensure you have an injury-free season.
There will also be the chance to try on any pair of shoes from our massive On Running range, with a short run around the park, along with the chance to gain some top training tips.
The Team Blizard kit will be available to try on, buy or collect if you pre-ordered through our website, as well as the On shoes, Lornah Sports kit and physiotherapy equipment from our fast growing shop.

Our next FREE physiotherapy advice clinic takes place on January 27th. Book in at reception in person or email info@blizardphysiotherapy.co.uk to see one one of our expert team for no fee, get your issue assessed and receive advice on whether you will need treatment or not.

To find out more about this service, visit the Free Physiotherapy Advice section of the Services page on our website to read our handy story board.

Finally, our elite Team Blizard triathlete and coach, Jono Frary, is bringing his free ‘Dry’ Swim workshop back on February 13th after the huge success of the January edition.
The workshop aims to help swimmers and triathletes improve on their technique and training strategies, and advise on race planning and competition success.



Email info@blizardphysiotherapy.co.uk to book onto the workshop, or to enquire about any of our services!