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?

Well done @NormaMajors1992coat 37 mins of running is a great achievement especially in this heat!!

I went out with the local running club last night to see what it was all about as they only meet up the road from my house. Ended up doing a slightly cray 8 mile trail run with them yesterday. I had so much fun that this morning I did what I said I would probably never do and joined up! 😂.

I’ve also signed up for an ultra marathon next year. I think I have an issue. Send help 😂😂.

I don’t usually suffer in the heat (probably not working hard enough ha) but it was pretty hot even early this morning. I have just ordered a vest and some short leggings, don’t have any shorts and only one short sleeved top so need a few more. Cue torrential rain for the rest of the summer probably.

That’s amazing about the club and the ultra, how long is it and how long do you think it will take @Whataninterestinglookingpotato

@NormaMajors1992coat its 50k. I don’t know how long it’ll take me really. The cut off is 8 hours and think it should take me less than that! A woman from the running club did it last last year, she’s super fast and did it in just under 5 hours (she was first female). I might be able to do it in 6/6.5. We shall see. Someone I know from work who is a bit closer to my running ability is doing it this year so will see what time they manage it in.

I get so hot when I’m running! I wear 3/4 leggings through the winter and swap to shorts in about March! I only have two vests so need to invest in more as it’s a constant wash and dry cycle here for them!

I just found a bundle of 8x tops / vests for £10 on Vinted, bargain!

Thanks @Clearinguptheclutterfor that. DH is not keen at all so I’m going to leave it this year and really work on him next year. I don’t want to do it unless he’s behind me all the way and given we’d have to spend money travelling and staying in Ncl.

Have been a bit fed up the last few days (work) so got out this morning and did the Nike run app ‘Don’t Wanna Run run’ which got me out there.

ANd although I am happy with my new compressed hours at work, it really has mucked up the routine I had before where on the days I worked from home, I’d get out at 8am and still be back to start at 9am.

Because I am generally tired/have things on in the evening I know that I’m just going to have to get out 6:30am ish instead but it feels like a hassle/sacrifice/something I have to make myself do which it never did before. Does that make sense?

It sort of feels like the shine has been taken off the whole thing. I know this is totally ridiculous but it’s just the space my head is in at the moment and it’s getting me down.

I've done the "I don't wanna run" run a few times

I didn't fit in my run/ substitute cycle today. DCs are here there and everywhere off routine this week and I just didn't have a neat chunk of time.

The London Marathon ballot is coming through. I got my annual rejection - probably just as well as I can barely manage parkrun Still waiting to hear on the rest of the family …

I still waiting on my rejection 😂. It’s not here yet, but it’s coming.

Gosh it started warm this morning even at 6.30am running along coastal path and back on the beach I was red faced. Got 5k ticked off though and had a cool off swim after before a day sat at my computer. We moved here 20yrs ago and I still count my blessings it’s home. Hope you’re all staying cool in the sunshine. DH has been running after work but even he cut it short last night and was dripping in sweat.

Hi all. Hope you're all enjoying the sun.
I went out with my running group yesterday evening and did 5k in about 40mins. I really struggled with the heat and did think I was going to have to call it a day.
I've definitely caught the running bug and I can't wait go out again on Saturday

My rejection has arrived. No London marathon for me this time. Can anyone recommended a good marathon in the south (ideally south west) of England. I was thinking about Southampton and might still go for that one but also heard that it’s more geared up for the half marathon and the marathon is a bit of an anticlimax as most of the crowd has gone home. prefer it to be road rather than trail as doing a trail ultra in July next year.

@Whataninterestinglookingpotato what about the Portsmouth marathon? I'm sorry to those that never got a spot

@princessspotify yes, Portsmouth could be a good shout. It’s near Southampton so could potentially stay with dd and then drive in n the morning. I’m a bit lazy and only really willing to drive very far/stay over night if I have to pay for a hotel for one like London 😂

I got my rejection from the London marathon ballot
I will have another chance in our club ballot , I might enter a different marathon and try for gfa, next time. I think with training, a flat course, and a fair wind, it might be do-able

My DH did Southampton marathon a few years ago @Whataninterestinglookingpotato he enjoyed it but there were some quiet sections on the later sections but the finish was packed still. He did do a fast time though. We stayed in the premier inn which was right by the start line which was great in the morning but due to the road closures we had to park the car out by the train station. Think Brighton is busier one.

Thanks @JanuaryOSunshine i could recall someone saying their husband had done it when it cane up before but couldn’t remember who it was.

im not sure I’ll get a very fast time, might be able to manage 4 hours ish with the wind behind me. I would like to do Southampton as it’s DDs uni city but I also want it to feel worth doing, if that makes sense, because they’re all worth doing but I just want that buzz.

I think with training, a flat course, and a fair wind, it might be do-able

I've run GFA times on Brighton, London, Manchester and York.
Of those, Manchester is the fastest course, but the date being later in April means it's more likely to be very hot (as it was this year), compared to Brighton at the beginning of the month or York in October.
Either Brighton or Manchester are pretty much flat though, and are good courses for a crack at a GFA time.

Try Brighton, @Whataninterestinglookingpotato . It's got that big city feel of London and the crowds all along the course are fantastic. Especially the Hove section and the miles along the coast towards the finish line.

Fist bump @Whataninterestinglookingpotato well done on signing up for your ultra. 8 hours should easily be doable for you. I run/walk and took 9 hours the first time and 8.5 the second, with some long breaks at the rest stops. Hoping to shave off a bit of time off last year’s this summer, although sadly that means less time sitting outside the pub at the halfway point with DH and a nice cold drink and bag of crisps.

@JanuaryOSunshine run and swim sounds blissful!

@Sparticle hope you get through the fedupness. Someone told me at work this week I looked fed up, I’m just at that stage in training when I’m either running, recovering or thinking about running.

Trail marathon on Saturday for me, just as the heatwave really gets going.

@FeelinTwentySixPointTwo have thought about Brighton, it’s quite a trek and if have to get a hotel (which would know a lot of people do). But it does sound like a good one. I’ll have a think.

@OhOneOhTwoOhThree thank you. I’m quite looking forward to the ultra. Good luck for your trail marathon at the weekend!! There’s one fairly local to me this weekend. I thought about it but I’m not quite marathon ready and I’ve got a half the weekend after. I’m sure it’ll be lovely though as long as it’s not too hot!

@Sparticle we all have slumps and it’s difficult at times to adjust to new routines.

I run in the evening and sometimes I feel tired before I go but once I’m out it’s usually fine and a perk up. I mostly go not long after I finish work but I was running around the woods at nearly 9pm last night as was too hot to take the dog before that. I couldn’t really be bothered, but trying out my new shoes motivated me and once out it felt great.

maybe mixing things up a bit wood help getting your motivation back. Trying some new routes or signing up for a race usually helps me.

*would 🤦‍♀️😂

Thanks @OhOneOhTwoOhThree - wow, good luck tomorrow on your trail marathon. Will any of it be sheltered so not in the sun the whole way?

Thanks too @Whataninterestinglookingpotato . You're right, mixing things up will help. I have done a pretty similar route the last couple of weeks which, whilst lovely and mixed, wasn't inspiring me. I also need to make the most of these sunny mornings and just get out there.

Talking of which, I did get out this morning just before 7am for a speed interval run. It's only been proper hot up here since yesterday and not like it's been down south but gosh it was warm already by then. I'm not complaining though really - it's back to rain next week for us... 🙄

@Whataninterestinglookingpotato a friend got her London rejection and signed up for Newport (Wales) marathon instead as it's on a similar time and easy to get to.
Now GCSEs are done DS went back to training so I ran while he was there. It was about 27 degrees and so hot, I had to keep swapping for the shady side of the road! Garmin wanted me to do sprint intervals so I did a walk/run/sprint combo. Had to run uphill away from the seafront as it was rammed and so not pleasant for running. I am using this hot weather as my heat acclimatisation as I'm off on holiday soon and don't manage well in the heat.
I see a few of you are doing Bristol to Bath trail run, I have been thinking about this too after a friend mentioned it.

Hey @Jumbojemhow did your DS find GCSEs? My DS finished finally on Wednesday and is in full on chill mode, which I am not grumbling about for once!