Running goals, motivation and chat 2025

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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?

Hello @NormaMajors1992coat welcome! I'm fairly new on this thread too. I'm on week 7 of the NHS C2 5K. My last two runs have been 25min ones. I'm really enjoying it and I'm amazed at the progress compared to how I started in week 1!

You are all still inspiring me 🙂

Has anyone done the next step of the NHS C2 5K app once week 9 is complete? On my run today it mentioned something like C25K Unlocked to use as a training guide after week 9. If so is it any good?

Welcome @NormaMajors1992coat it’s good to have goals and one of my best running achievements was doing the Lundy Island race. I’d tried the year before to get a place but missed out so waited a year to finally get a place. It’s a well organised event but a long day with the boat trip hope you get to go as it’s a great trip

Hi all, can I join too?

I ran for a bit before covid (did C25k and continued for a few months) but then nothing until the start of this year, when I finally started parkrun (a nice flat one along a prom).

Since then I’ve been using the Nike run app to train for a 10km along the same prom that is taking place next Sunday. I’ve done 8 weeks training of running 4-5 times a week and have this last week to go. I ran 10km this morning (2nd time only) and got a PB of 1:01:34 which I was very chuffed with as it had 126m elevation, also meaning some downhills of course, as opposed to the route of the race.

Really feel odd using the word race but I think I’ll have a number and everything!

Anyway, I need to go back to read this whole thread properly as I have only got to the end of January 😆 but in the meantime, please have you got an6 tips for my event next week? I do know that there will be mile markers not km which concerns me a bit and I don’t assume there will be anything like a timing system so I think I’ll have to rely on my watch and ignore any official result?

I have Shokz which I know I can use so I’m planning to wear those and listen to the Nike guided run for a 10km race (LOVE Coach Bennett) and music normally keeps me going but I’m not sure whether to just listen to the voiceover or play music too.

Thanks in advance!

Well done on starting running again!!

Music is your preference and race rules. I always prefer to run with music if it’s allowed.
your times are good for first 10ks. Just relax and enjoy the experience. There’s always a great atmosphere on race day.

Nice early relaxed 12k my furthest run in years. Cool light breeze and drizzly at the end but I’m happier running in cool weather. Hope hip niggles don’t flare up by pushing the distance a bit more.

Week 7 of C25K for me, 20R-3W-5R for a total of 4.3km. Edging towards 5k slowly. The first 5 minutes are always horrific but it’s a lovely fresh morning here and there were moments which felt great. I am really looking forward to trying a parkrun soon.

@JanuaryOSunshine that sounds like a lovely run.

@NormaMajors1992coat well done! Sounds like you could probably do a park run. It’s not much further and the atmosphere would keep you going the last bit!

my dodgy knee has been even more dodgy since my long run yesterday. Glad I decided not to sign up to the trail half now! I think I’m going to have to start strapping it for longer runs and also stop neglecting strength training, which I have been very guilty of since the weather has been nicer! Off to the gym this morning for some squats! 😂

Thank you @Whataninterestinglookingpotato! I hope the knee gets better soon :)

It’s mine and DH’s wedding anniversary today so we’ve been out for a nice 10km walk this morning together along the coast through woods and trails. It took two hours and I kept thinking ‘I could run this - I need to get some trail running shoes’. Who am I turning into?! 😆

a few months ago on this thread, I read that someone of you have annoying DH/DPs who just run faster and longer than them. That’s me too - DH is super supportive of my running but he doesn’t believe in plans, park runs or races and just goes out and runs. He said to me the other day that he is probably going to run a HM soon, not a race, just because he thinks he is fine to run 13 miles now. He’s probably right too!

@Sparticle i use my trail shoes for walking the dog too so multi tasking sometime I even run with the dog. I find them more comfortable to walk in than most walking shoes or boots I’ve had. I buy a gortex pair every winter now and get really good use out of them over the year.

@Whataninterestinglookingpotato hope the knee calms down. I’m making myself do a min of 15 minutes of strength training 3x a week and I think it’s helping. It’s not a lot but I found when my head assumed a “session” was 45mins I just didn’t make time. Now I keep weights at the end of my bed and a yoga mat to make me do it.

Hey everyone, it’s been a while! Just catching up on the thread. I’ve missed all the chat and motivation so wanted to say hi to faces new and old.

Thanks all. The knee is still a bit sore but managed to do the cross trainer at the gym this morning and then a good strength session. Also managed a coastal path walk with dd1 and the dog. My plan is to go easy on the running for a few days, maybe use the cross trainer and do more strength stuff and then try an easy run later in the week and see how it goes. Bloody annoying as the 11 mile run yesterday was so easy and a good pace. My knee was the only issue. Never mind.

@Sparticle i love a good trail run. I usually go at least once if not twice a week with my dog as she really loves it too! I used my trail shoes this afternoon for the costal path walk and they were so comfy. I shall be wearing them in future for long walks. I have also been eyeing up some new ones in the asics outlet. Tried them on the other day when I went and I really want them, just can’t justify buying them right now 😂. But I did think my old ones (which aren’t that old) could now be my walking shoes and I could get the other trail shoes. I think I may actually have a problem! 😂

Hello @NormaMajors1992coat and welcome. I'm an C25K graduate who just kept going - sounds like you have some good plans. AFAIK there wasn't anything after C25K @SoapCollector it was so long ago for me.

Hello @Sparticle - great stuff with getting back to running, sounds like you are doing well.

Sounds good @JanuaryOSunshine - hope the hip keeps behaving. Good tip on keeping weights by the bed - I've been doing the YWA daily calendar all year, and because all the sessions are quite short I'm doing 2+ hours of yod=ga a week. I'd never set aside that long for classes if they were an hour/45 minutes long.

Glad the gym went well @Whataninterestinglookingpotato (I'd love to know where your user name comes from).

I had a nice parkrun on Saturday. I did my long run today and jeffed the whole 21 miles. I was tired before I started but really pleased with how it went. I did the same route 2 years ago and was marginally faster today even though I've gone from run 10 minutes, walk 2 minutes to run 2 minutes, walk 1 minute (so I'm now walking for 4 minutes in every 12 rather than 2), my heart rate stayed lower throughout and my strava RPE is massively lower (although I have no idea how they work that out). And my VO2 Max has tipped into excellent, go me!

Welcome back @chutneypig , lovely to see you! We've missed you.

Joining as a lurker. This is all great inspiration.

@SoapCollector I finished the c25k about a month ago (after elongating the main bit over 4 months). There are 3 types of run (speed, distance, split) but not a programme in the same way. I’m a slow runner so it’s good to have the principles I my head.

I found Nike Run Club great in addition though. If you have a garmin there is run plans on Garmin+ - but it’s only compatible with certain models.

I remain amazed that I can run for longer than 10mins and enjoy it. It’s flat round here but I relish going away and finding new routes and getting slightly lost.

I agree @NormaMajors1992coat I find the first 5mins are hard work too, glad it's not just me!

Everyone - Please can I ask some general running advice - I've been eyeing up a very flat local 10k taking place in mid October this year. If I can steady/ slow jog 25 mins none stop now would I have enough time to prepare for the 10k distance by October? I'm not bothered about time or being fast I would just look to complete it!

Well done on starting running again @Sparticle sounds like you are doing really well. 😀

Thanks for the info @Lurkingshark and welcome to the thread. I'll have a look at Nike run club.

I would say that’s very achievable. Just keep a steady pace that’s manageable for you and start slowly increasing your distances. The speed will come in its own time. 2 years ago my pace was about a 10:30/mile, sometimes slower. now on a 10k it’s a little over 8/mile. That’s just kind of happened naturally. Races are fun. So just enjoy it.

my friend signed up for a half thinking it was a 10k having never run more than 5k before. I’ve been helping her train as she’s only had two months and she’s doing great. Up to 8 miles now. So you’ll be fine with a 10k.

Thanks so much for the advice@Whataninterestinglookingpotato I feel like I need a goal to keep me going after c25k finishes.

@SoapCollector yes you can build to 10k by Oct I would think. It all depends on age and body type but very doable. I just added 0.5k to one of my 3 runs a week and slowed the pace slightly. Plus add in some strength work to help protect against injuries. Like do 20 squats whilst brushing your teeth or lunges whilst waiting for the kettle to boil. Try a plank every night for a week, thats the sort of things that help me fit in strength stuff or I find it boring.

Thanks @JanuaryOSunshine that sounds like a good plan. I find strength work boring too and time consuming especially if in a gym. It doesn't give me the same great feeling I get after running and I'd rather be outside! I've registered my interest in the 10k 😁

@SoapCollectorI only started thinking about doing a 10km once I’d done a couple of parkruns and I’ve got here in 8 weeks so I’m sure you can do it too! Go for it!

Thanks for the trail running shoe advice. The lashing rain we’ve had all afternoon and this evening has somewhat dampened my enthusiasm tbh 😁

Thanks @Sparticle parkrun will definitely be on my to do list in a couple of weeks.

That’s really interesting on the jeffing ratios @OhOneOhTwoOhThree. I’ve started jeffing my long runs too, I did just that for my first half and it worked well at 3 min run and 1 min walk. Great work on the metrics!

@SoapCollectordefintiely doable. I completed C25K in one April and then did an October 10k. I found a structured plan helped and avoided overdoing it, but made sure I was only doing 3 runs a week. Partly as I’d got into a part term with c25k but also not to ramp it up too much.

I hope your knee resolved soon @Whataninterestinglookingpotato

Morning all, I went for a 6km tempo run this morning (1km warm up, 4km tempo, 1km cooldown). Not entirely sure what tempo that should be so I tried to keep just under 6min per km because I would love to run a sub-60 10km this Sunday, which I managed.

The weather isn’t looking great but as long as it’s not torrential I think it should be okay. I’m most worried about the headwind sea breeze as it can be fierce and would really slow me down on the second half. I love walking in windy conditions but not running!
A colleague of mine ran the Edinburgh marathon on Sunday and said it was 40 mph winds for the last 12km but he loved it overall 😅

I saw this on the guardian website this morning and thought you might fancy reading it. I can never remember which generation is which let alone which one I am…
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/may/27/running-gen-z-boom-athletics-london-marathon

Well done @Sparticle !

Thanks for sharing the article, a lot of that resonated, there are a couple of community running groups in my town (as well as the well established running clubs, including Paula Radcliffe's old club) which seem really popular.

That’s an impressive tempo run @Sparticleand thanks as well for the article. parkrun numbers are definitely picking up now and I’ve noticed a lot more of the first timers are in their 20s, so it was very interesting to seem the rationale behind that.

My children have signed up for the London ballot, this is the first year they’ve been old enough. Their biggest influence has definitely been parkrun, although they’re both keen gym goers along with their friends. They both did Royal Parks last year and my daughter bounced around, which was more to do with her strength training than a training plan!