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?

Interesting about Gen X, the "young ones" at work all entered our local 10k/half recent, and those that didn't run were out supporting with signs etc. Sounded like they all had a great time, in my day it would have been an after work pub crawl but the times have changed it seems. The running/supporting def a healthier team activity.

Welcome all the new posters,and those returning after time away. Lots of exciting plans and races ahead by the sounds of things. Have to say that Lundy race sounds intriguing, I'd never heard of it.
I had a great trail run with a friend yesterday and realised I have no races on the horizon so may look for a 10k in the autumn to focus myself on a bit of speed work.
Oh and yes, I'm another guilty of neglecting strength. A few minutes a day does sound like a good start as it holds no appeal for me either.

we also have lots of 'young ones' at my sports club (combat sport).
they are great fun!

I've noticed a recent growth in u30s at parkrun too, especially the course near the university.

I started running in the SW30-34 band and was relatively young. But parkrun was still in early growth, had tail runners and 30+mins was the back end not a mass stampede

I'm psyching up to run. Today is my only chance this week.

Loads for dds friends from uni did the Southampton half last year. She’s started c25k with a view to doing it next year. I’ve noticed a lot of youngsters running. I may sign up for the full marathon, but just waiting until July to sign up as entered the London ballot. Not that I think I’ll get in, but I can dream.

there’s always a huge range of ages at the races I’ve attended. From teenagers right up to people in their 80s. It’s really nice to see.

Hi all, getting a bit stressed about Sunday with this forecast for my 10km along the prom. After all this training and I feel like it isn't going to be the 'nice' run I was looking forward to but a real battle :(

I popped out for a 25 min run round the block this lunchtime (was going to go at 8am but it was torrential) and I thought I should try to run a bit in windier conditions than I'm used to but it will be so much worse on Sunday.

I'm feeling so demotivated - please give me a kick up the bum!

Sorry forecast didn't attach

It says sunshine and showers, so it might not actually rain at all while you’re running. The wind will be a challenge but everyone will have the same challenge and times will alter accordingly for everyone. You’ll be ok. You’ve got this!! Once it’s over it’ll be even more rewarding because it was tough but you can be proud that you got through it. Good luck!

@Sparticle your be fine just enjoy it whatever you get. My first HM I’d never run much in the rain and we’d had such downpours the day before we all literally had to run through two huge puddles 0.5k from the start so I did the whole thing in sopping wet shoes and socks. It was also two laps so I knew I’d have to repeat the puddle. It was fine I survived, and fuelling myself was the bigger issue than wet feet. When it’s windy on our seafront I just lean 1-2degrees forward and it can make me faster it’s a Biazzare feeling but it’s a way of running with the weather. Hope you enjoy the event.

Decided not to run this morning as my longer run Monday and strength stuff yesterday left my hip flexor feeling v.niggly. Instead I did a 2hr bike ride which was lovely but now I’ve got sore bum as I’m not bike fit at the moment after focusing more on running lately. I think I’ll try switching it up to a couple of 10k runs a week and a bike ride to see how my body holds up.

Thanks both - it was more the 40-odd mph winds I’m concerned about (you may need to expand my photo to see that, sorry)!

@JanuaryOSunshine add a swim and you’ve got a triathlon right there 😁

Ive done a few Tris in my 40s and I had to teach myself frontcrawl and the best part was my eldest DD did the kids events and the last one we did pre-covid she was upto the same distances and we had nearly same times. She’s now 18 and very fit in her sport. I am not saying never again but I don’t have the drive to want do the logistics of a triathlon again in my 50s. Good fun though.

May the wind always be at your back @Sparticle 🌬️🏃‍♀️‍➡️

That is incredibly kind, thank you.

I’ve made myself a pumping playlist (classic rock and 90s dance tunes, very eclectic) which I hope will help.

I think because it’s my first and I have zero idea what to expect, it isn’t helping. At least I know the route well.

You will feel amazing when it’s done! And actually, maybe even the tougher the better 💪

Mild rain can be refreshing for hard running. My 5k pb was from a torrential July downpour. The pushing out and getting wet is the grotty bit.

@Sparticle you'll be grand! Think how happy you will be when you have finished and the bragging rights you will earn.

I ran last night and came home covered in little tiny black flies that had stuck to my face and neck. YUK. Same route as last week (a new one) and almost half a minute faster per mile now that I know where I'm going. I was pleased with that after Monday's big run.

The wind may blow the rain clouds away and blow you along to the finish too! The weather forecast could change again for the better by Sunday. Wishing you lots of luck and wind behind you @Sparticle you can do this! 🏃

Good luck @sparticle like bogof, a lot of my PBs are from wet runs, mainly as I'm happy to just get on with it and get it done ASAP! Wind is annoying but hopefully it is in your favour and not against you.
5 miles along the sea wall for me tonight, in fairly windy conditions as it happens, but the sun came out and it was good to be out. Paths very busy though with walkers so had to puff and pant extra hard so they know I'm coming. I don't like shouting out to ask people to move as don't want to sound rude. What is the runners equivalent of a bike bell?!

Sounds like you’ve got it with the playlist @Sparticle! Key preparation. The weather can always change but you can control the music!

I get the same issue @Jumbojem as I’m lucky to live in a holiday destination if it’s the morning I normally do a cheery “morning”. Or “it’s a lovely day May I pass?” It gets awkward when they don’t hear me though & suddenly I’m right up behind them.
I had a lovely early 5k run/walk with the dog even though we had to stop on the nice run downhill section as two boisterous male dogs decided they really didn’t want to leave my girl alone despite the owner continuing yelling at them 🙄I had to wait what felt like ages for him to catch up with them and get them off her so we could enjoy the rest of our downhill.

Hello! Please can I join?

I am on Week 8 of C25k, having completed it back in 2014 and tried (and failed) numerous times to complete it again since having DC3 who is now 7 🤦🏻‍♀️

I have had a long-standing goal to complete parkrun in under 30 mins. When I was consistently running before DC3 I managed 30:03 which is absolutely infuriating and spurring me on to actually make the goal this time!

However, I have a lot of my plate. 3xDC (one of whom is autistic), full-time director of a small business, school governor... Finding the time to get out and run is hard!

At the moment I'm managing one run per week which is better than nothing. Any tips for getting a more consistent routine?

I'm training for a fairly long race and got 16 miles on my plan for tomorrow, I'm not looking forward to it. Saturdays are not ideal to find running buddies that want to do long runs! I'm dreading it. I might run to parkrun so I'll at least have company for 3 miles

I think I've found the answer @Jumbojem if you Google 'Runbell' sorry couldn't do a link. It's worn like a ring on your finger!

Welcome @thirdistheonewiththehairychest I'm on week 8 on couch to 5k too. But I'm getting impatient so I'm sat here considering doing a run/walk parkrun tomorrow! If leaving the house in the evenings is difficult for you could you do an online/YouTube workout at home? It wouldn't be running but it could support your fitness for running.

Welcome @thirdistheonewiththehairychest. Well done on nearly completing c25k. Finding time to run can be tricky. My kids are older now and though I work full time after work my time is my own. I tend to prioritise running over other things. Which means that dinner is often after 8pm. That’s fine when your youngest is 17 but not so much when they’re 7. If you can find time to get out more than once a week though it will really help your progress.

@JanuaryOSunshine I had the same dog issue the other day when walking on the coastal paths with dd1 and the dog. A male dog just would leave my dog alone and was totally blanking its owners attempts to call it back. The owner asked if my dog was in season and I was like nope. Your dog just doesn’t listen to you!!

my knee is feeling loads better this week. Best it’s been in ages! Maybe doing more strength training really is helping. I must remember not to neglect it in future! Though I do prefer to run when the weathers nice. Went out on Thursday aiming to do 5k to test my knee out but it felt so good in ended up doing 11.5k. Managed a trail run with the dog first thing this morning and some fun on the inflatable water park with the adult kids this afternoon and all good. I was getting a bit worried about my half at the end of June but all seems well for now.

Fist bump @Fizbosshoes . Hope your long run goes well tomorrow . Mine's on Sunday.

Welcome @thirdistheonewiththehairychest. My kids are grown up now, so I can run early in the morning or after work on weekdays, and my weekends are pretty much my own. DH runs on Saturday when I'm at parkrun and I try to get early on Sundays. I'd never have fitted in as much running when they were little.

@Jumbojem I tend to shout out a hello from a distance and say that I didn't want to frighten them by coming up too close behind them. Some people just seem oblivious though.

Glad your knee is feeling better @Whataninterestinglookingpotato

6.5 miles this evening, slow and steady as it was very humid.