Running goals, motivation and chat 2025

[Jumbojem]

All welcome! A place to share or goals and achievements and to motivate each other along the way.
A virtual mumsnet run club perhaps?

I have been on a half mara chat group the last few years but currently not training for one. So, my 2025 goals are:
Now until spring - get fitter for a 15 mile hilly trail run event in April.
Summer - try for a 5k PB, try to get faster?
Autumn - maybe do a half mara? Cross Country again ( I am slow and old but love this).

Who else wants to join me?

Ooh I'm about to buy some of these. How is the sizing@whataninterestinglookingpotato? Virtuality everyone in my sons run club has a pair so they are def well liked.
I struggle in the heat but I've decided to try and embrace it, and get some heat acclimatisation in, I have high hopes of a sunny summer this year!
Ran with a couple of friends yesterday, easy for them but I was huffing and red as a beetroot. Still lots of fitness work to do for me but I'm very motivated and really enjoying running at the moment.

I have ordered my normal size and they fit me well. Lots of people like to size up for running shoes but I don’t tend to. If you like to size up you probably would only need to go up half a size.

going to take them out again this morning on a bit of a casual jog with a friend to see how they do there.

Go for it @SoapCollector you may surprise yourself and a lot of running is inside the head, our bodies can often do more than we think.

ooh new shoes are always nice I hope they are comfy and make running feel good. @Jumbojem

i too avoid the heat and normally stop running in summer months switching to cycling and swimming more but would like to carry on this time. Did an early 10k this morning which was lovely and cool but I need new run leggings for summer running. Just tried looking on Decathlon and they are all sold by a third party supplier and I need a drawstring but can’t work out which have them?! Plus a waist band pocket not a thigh pocket any one got any recommendations? I bought decathlon winter ones they were great but the lighter weight ones were super shiny 90s fabric looked crap on & sewed very tight sausage legs look.

@JanuaryOSunshine - I run in Sweaty Betty Zeros all year round - they tned to have a lot of sales so you might be able to pick up some reduced capris. They have a drawstring and a back waist pocket as well as a thigh pocket.

All my Decathlons have the key pocket on the back, then most have additional side pockets.

Amended my intervals session today. It was supposed to be speed repeats, but my achilles is on the radar, so I did them as run-walks then ran the last 5 mins hard being well warmed up. Not a fast parkrun but a glorious sprint finish

Thanks I’ll have a look at sweaty bettys my gym crazy 18DD is great at sussing out bargains I’ll put her on the case.

They have an ebay shop where they sell mostly returns I think - usually a good price - I've had a few pairs from there now.

Chuffed this morning to have persuaded my 11yo son who is the least sporty person on the planet (as was I at his age!) to do (his 2nd) parkrun with me. We got round in 32 and a half which I thought was great!

Thanks @JanuaryOSunshine I've done week 5 session 1 today and didn't struggle as much as I thought I would! I felt like I could have kept going for a bit longer and recovered quickly so I'm pleased with the progress. Will continue and see how the rest of the week goes 🙂

thats great @SoapCollector well done. I still get crap runs where I’m tired or can’t go as fast or need to walk more but I just accept it’s that day and next time I may feel better. I virtually never regret trying a run & mostly feel better afterwards.

well done DS @Clearinguptheclutter its great when the kids can join at PR.

Haven't checked in for a while , hope everyone OK.
Well done @UnaOfStormhold a pb is amazing in that weather. I was spectating at London , my training buddy is an absolute machine and got a pb. I felt too hot just watching!!

I went away for a rare weekend with DH a few weeks ago. I planned to do a parkrun, but realised I had no running socks. I found some hilly ones in a running shop near our hotel. They were expensive (£16) but they are great. I love them.

Great news @Clearinguptheclutter my DS used to do parkrun when he was younger but got out of the habit/got injured....but I haven't given up hope.

I did a race this morning, I was chilly at the start (and finish) but was optimal running temp! And I acheived my goal time, which I'm chuffed with as it was hillier than anticipated.

Hello runners and well done racers @UnaOfStormhold and @Fizbosshoes.

I'm still plugging away. Quite a bit of parkrun tourism and weekends away, which have been great but messed up my running schedule as I've missed a couple of long runs - which I felt yesterday when I did a 19 mile run/walk (although strava tells me that I'm trending faster over that route).

Following the legging and trainer chat, anyone got any good shorts? Am having horrible chafing with mine.

I took a punt on some men's shorts from Decathlon last year. I mainly gym in them, and they're slightly boxy for hips, but they move freely and have a good length to swerve creeping up my thighs for chafe risk.
Better than self flagelating women's hotpants!

I had a look at under armour bike short type but they have a lot of underwear exposing mesh which put me off

My best running shorts were also men’s ones from Aldi a couple of years ago as flappy enough to not rub up and had a pocket. Why can’t they make women’s ones fit too

I bought some of those under armour bike shorts with a little skirt over the top, but they chafe after a few miles - I think they have something on the bottom of the legs to stop them riding up, but they don't work on my legs!

My best running shorts are from SHEIN I’m afraid to say. But they’re comfortable, no chafing and have the best pockets. The more expensive brands I’ve brought just don’t cut it.

My best running shorts are sweaty Betty zero gravity. Not cheap but I got mine at 50% off. They are bike style ones, two thigh pockets and a waistband zipped pocket. Supportive but light material, come to just above my knee.
My Decathlon and m&s good move in the same style are sadly nowhere near as good.

Just under 4 miles of lovely new to me trail last night, whilst DS had training. With a friend too so especially lovely. Apart from how out of puff I was on the hills by comparison, and had to walk some bits. However, I am very slowly regaining fitness so I just need to keep at it.
How's everyone else getting on? Enjoying the cooler temps for running this week?

I did some new to me trails on Monday as part of a longer run. It was a different part of somewhere I go often and couldn’t believe that I had no idea where I was going! Was meant to be 10k but ended up being 11 as I got a bit lost 😂. Racing more or less that route on Sunday. It won’t be a fast time due to how steep the hills are, but should be fun.

just done a couple of 5ks the last couple of nights. One faster one on road and one trail with my dog. I’m enjoying the sunny evenings. Hope everyone else is too.

Well the marathon muscle soreness has worn off and the blisters are healed but I have a splinter in my foot which is really sore when I run or cycle ao that's really annoying! I am treating with mag sulphate paste but no joy so far.

I love decathlon own brand trail shorts - I have some with a big enough pocket for a 500ml flask plus more for phone, keys and snacks - they don't seem to do that particular model any more but there are aome slightly smaller capacity ones.

I have ordered my new road shoes! I delayed too long so the asics outlet ones were sold out in my size. Ordered from a European site, colour way not quite as nice, grey and yellow rather than blue, asics novablast 4s. The latest model, novablast 5, all seem to be either pale or pink/coral and I really dislike the default shades of pink for women's running stuff.
Sprint intervals round the park today. It was OK and I guess means to an end. Hoping to do a longer slower trail jaunt sometime over this weekend. What are you all up to?
@Whataninterestinglookingpotato good luck for your race, sounds fun even with the hills!

I managed the 20 min continuous run, in week 5 of my couch to 5k training. I took it very steady but was so pleased considering I struggled to run for 60 seconds a few weeks ago! Planning on getting out again to start on week 6 over this weekend. @Jumbojem hope you enjoy your trail run.

Your making great progress @SoapCollector i still remeber my first continuous 20min run using C25K app and I had Micheal Johnson telling me I was a “runner” now. It felt fab. That was 10yrs ago as i started in my 40s. I’ve restarted C25K 3x over the last few years as illness or injury disrupted my health. It’s a great program they really works.

I had a nice 10k this morning but I was weary so kept it steady & changed my route on the way so took in the beach & coastal path & country lane so I wasn’t at all bothered by pace which is really nice sometimes just to go enjoy the experience & I was listening to an old episode of RunPod which was inspiring.

Hello everyone. Checking back in as doing my first 'race' tomorrow post pelvic stress fracture/osteoporosis diagnosis. Have managed 2 parkruns in the last few weeks as well as some 5-6.5k training runs. Tomorrow is a 6k trail race, I've not done proper trail running before so it takes the pressure off completely in terms of time, which is good as I'm not supposed to overdo it. Must. Not. Get. Carried. Away. 🤣