Brought to you by Virgin Media.

We mean business!

We're taking on our JOE bros at the upcoming Virgin Media Ireland Night Run, a 10K race through the heart of Dublin - after dark! Last year we managed to beat the boys and this year we are back and stronger than ever. Kicking off at 9pm on Sunday, 23 April, we'll be racing the JOEs through the twinkling lights of Dublin city centre for 6.2 miles. With less than 3 weeks to go, we are really starting to get stuck into our training. If you think you're up for the challenge you can still sign up for the race here. Here's what we are doing to get in the zone. Tara is focusing on her fitness ''I'm generally not a runner. Give me weights, a bike or TRX any day, but running (especially outdoors) is not for me. However, it seems FOMO took over and here I am bracing myself for the Virgin Media Night Run. To prepare, I've been trying to build up my endurance with low intensity running on the treadmill upping it by a minute each time and then including short sprints to increase my fitness levels. What I'm starting to realise though, is that nothing can prepare me for an outdoor run, like an actual outdoor run. So I think that's what I'm going to have to do. Wish me luck!'' Alice is mixing things up  ''I've done a few 10ks and half marathons in the past and my biggest problem has always been overdoing it during the first few weeks (hello shin splints!). This time round I am running two short and one long run per week and practising yoga twice a week to build up strength and force myself to stretch properly. So far it's been going really well and I'm actually enjoying the training (except when it's raining of course).'' Gemma is excited to get started ''With less than one month to go, I haven’t started training yet, but I am quickly googling a 4-week couch to 10k program to get started this weekend! Go Team Her!'' Tara is on the ball ''I tried to start a programme which involved running 3 times a week. It hasn’t really got off the ground yet. The first session of the week is time focussed, just running for 15/20/30 minutes at a steady pace and try build up the time each week. The second session each week is interval training. Building up to longer intervals of maybe 90 seconds on 30 seconds off. It involves: Warm up. Jog at a steady pace for 5 minutes. Then do 10 sets of 1-minute sprint, 1-minute easy. Jog for 5 minutes. Cool Down. The third session of the week is focussing on distance. 3 or 4 miles at any pace at all. Just focus on hitting the distance. Then work up each session in terms of time/speed/distance each week hopefully running about 10k before the race.'' Gigi is sticking to her goal ''I'm on the countdown for the Virgin Media Night Run and I am really excited. I came back to my normal weekly gym routine after some lazy weeks and I am hoping to run a few extra km on the treadmill. GO TEAM HER!'' This year's race will start off at 9pm on Sunday, 23 April. For more information or to register for the Virgin Media Night Run, check out their website.  Brought to you by Virgin Media.