Clubs practice at high intensity before VM Quy Nhon

The sunny weather in Quy Nhon and the steep race track forced the teams to train hard, focusing on heat training to adapt to the competition conditions.

A month before VnExpress Marathon Sparkling Quy Nhon 2023, the main roads in the center of Binh Dinh were bustling with many runners training. Every morning and evening, hundreds of members of Quy Nhon Morning Run (QMR) in navy blue running shirts strode along the coastal roads of Xuan Dieu, Nguyen Tat Thanh, Thi Nai bridge,...

As the host, QMR will welcome thousands of runners from all over the country to participate in VnExpress Marathon Quy Nhon. The training atmosphere before the tournament is relaxed, exciting but full of seriousness. This year, this CBL participates with an unprecedented number of more than 1,000 members. Most of them have experience in previous seasons, so they set higher goals. Therefore, the group's training program is also heavier and more challenging.

"There are almost no free schedules during the week," said Mr. Nguyen Quoc Khanh - Head of QMR. The teams from expertise, technique to logistics work hard for about a month before the race to help members practice according to the training plan, ranging from speed and tempo exercises to long runs with pacers and water. On days when the whole team cannot gather, members are encouraged to run according to the available training plan. Once a week, members run along the official route to get acquainted with the reality and have the best feeling of competition. The team also organizes internal tournaments and sand running challenges to boost the runner's spirit.

QMR members practice running uphill. Photo: QMR — QMR members run uphill. Photo: *QMR*

According to Mr. Khanh, the characteristic of Quy Nhon running course is the open space, lots of sunshine and wind. 21 and 42km runners will feel this clearly. From the time they run up Thi Nai bridge to Phuong Mai peninsula and turn around, there will be more than 15km with almost no shade from trees, which can cause many runners to lose strength, become dehydrated or have heat stroke. QMR increases heat training to solve this problem. The group organizes many short runs, from 30 - 60 minutes in high temperatures above 35 degrees Celsius. According to the professional team, practicing like this a month before the race will help the body increase endurance, adapt to the heat, and avoid health risks on the official race day. "In fact, we are used to Quy Nhon's weather but still practice heat training to have endurance and adaptability, especially for those who are trying to run 42km for the first time," said the club's leader.

During sessions with plenty of time, many QMR runners choose mountain passes around the city to practice their climbing ability. This is an endurance exercise that the group focuses on to "handle" the consecutive ups and downs at VM Quy Nhon. In particular, the group of runners aiming to stand on the podium are especially interested in this exercise. According to them, the ability to be flexible on slopes and familiar with the terrain can become the key to achieving high results.

A practice session of the members — QMR in the cross-province running event in Binh Dinh. Photo: *QMR*

For many years, QMR has considered VnExpress Marathon Sparkling Quy Nhon the most important tournament of the year, where all members want to participate. Thanks to the appearance of VM, the running group has attracted more members every year, and the activities are more systematically organized. This is the only major marathon in the province, so the group sees it as an opportunity to show their love for sports and the colors of QMR to runners across the country. "We put all our focus into preparing for the tournament. This is a big festival, an opportunity for Binh Dinh people to show their sportsmanship and hospitality. We have prepared a party to exchange with many groups to share and spread the values of running to the community," said Mr. Nguyen Quoc Khanh.

More than 200 km away, hundreds of runners from Khanh Hoa province are training hard, waiting for the competition day in Quy Nhon. They spread out to practice in many places from Ba Lang, Vinh Diem Trung to the central area of Nha Trang, running on many types of terrain and adding heat training to increase their adaptability. The weekend is a concentrated run along Tran Phu street - a famous coastal road in Nha Trang.

Between training weeks, the Nha Trang Runners (NTRU) group participates in half marathons locally and in neighboring provinces. The group's expectation is to have the best preparation before VM Quy Nhon. "Quy Nhon is hot but luckily Nha Trang has quite similar weather so it is not too difficult. The group has added heat exercises to increase endurance. Currently, we are well prepared and ready for the upcoming tournament", shared Mr. Vuong Cong - representative of NTRU.

NTRU running team. Photo: character provided — NTRU running team. Photo: *character provided*

NTRU loves running at VM Quy Nhon. The tournament is a test to prepare for VM Nha Trang which will take place two months later. The group does not set many goals but focuses on accumulating practical competition experience, how to cope with hot weather and slopes. However, according to the group representative, although not focusing on results, the group still fights with a fiery spirit, ready to compete for rankings when possible. "The harsh Quy Nhon race is the perfect test to re-evaluate performance and adjust training plans before VM Nha Trang. I think the members are well prepared to achieve high results," the group representative affirmed.

The "neighbor" of the host locality, Phu Yen Runners (PYR), is also at the peak of its preparation for the tournament. PYR is a new name on the running map. The group has only attracted many participants in the past year, so VM Quy Nhon is the first major tournament for many members. More than 70 members of the group will participate in the tournament on June 11. Although still young, PYR strives to build a detailed training plan with many training sessions in Tuy Hoa and neighboring localities with full support such as water, electrolytes, and fruit for runners.

According to Mr. Hoang Vu Nguyen - a member of PYR, Quy Nhon has terrain and weather conditions quite similar to Phu Yen, so the preparation process does not encounter many difficulties. Uphill running and running in the hot sun are still focused on. In addition, boosting morale and creating a comfortable mentality for those who are running for the first time is what the group's management board is concerned about.

Phu Yen province running group. Photo: PYR — Phu Yen province running group. Photo: *PYR*

"We think VM Quy Nhon is a great place to build sportsmanship. Competing in big tournaments also helps many members learn and develop. We hope that after the tournament, the group's movement will have many breakthroughs," said the group representative. The group also hopes to train many good runners in the near future, regularly participating in the VnExpress Marathon system.

The fourth edition of VnExpress Marathon Sparkling Quy Nhon kicks off on June 11. Runners are expected to start at 3am, running on the most beautiful route in the coastal city through routes such as Xuan Dieu, Nguyen Tat Thanh, Thi Nai Bridge, Phuong Mai Sand Dunes. The Quy Nhon race track has the fewest turns and turnaround points in the VM system with many long straight sections, convenient for runners to compete and explore the youthful beauty of the famous coastal tourist city. To support runners competing in high temperatures, the organizers plan to arrange nearly 20 one-way and two-way water stations, many medical stations, and toilets with high density.

Hoai Phuong

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