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?

Hi All- headed out for a v casual 5k this morning with friend just recovering from covid but tbh I'm pretty chesty myself so no harm in having a bit of an easier week. Lovely morning with the sun coming up over the lake.

Did my 10 miles in 1 hour 40 mins 🎉half marathon is in a month so I'll stick to shorter runs now and nothing the week before.

Well done @bakewellbride that sounds like a good run.

A quick post work 5k run half on the beach tonight just before the sun disappeared, lovely sunset.

I had a lovely, sunny 8 mile long run. Was mainly in my t-shirt, and so lovely to feel sun on my skin at this time of year.

My only grumble was there were lots of clusters of walkers out and a few of them decided that they needed at last ¾ of the wide path and wouldn't tuck in/ bunch up so that I didn't have to slither in the slippery mud at the edge. Most share nicely!

@BogRollBOGOF well done yes it was great today with the weather.

@JanuaryOSunshine thanks, well done to you too. X

Lucky you those that had sunshine, it was thick fog down here. I really didn't fancy heading out after work as it was dark, cold and fairly eerie!

Been feeling bloated these last couple of days, consequently sluggish/got stitch on my run. I think it's the run up to my period, always find I get digestive issues/lethargic/need for lots of carbs in this phase. Then a couple of days into my period get a big energy boost and suddenly runnings great again. Is this fairly typical for women's cycles? Honestly I'm 50 now and it's only recently I've really noticed this impact on my energy levels!

not bloating, though I know the pm cravings.
and more general stiffness.

I went gluten free 2yrs ago as that bloating feeling got worse and worse it’s made a huge difference to me. It’s actually quite common I read that the gut changes with menopause and becoming intolerant to gluten. Worth trying it for a week to see how you feel.

I get very low on energy pre menstrual and as you say about day 5 of my cycle I'm on fire. Best time for a PB!

Also loads of energy pre ovulation then a huge slump in energy again afterwards

I've had to pretty much cut out gluten since becoming menopausal too. I had diarrhoea all the time,and also itchy, scaly patches of skin. Its such a shame as I make a mean loaf of bread and would live on bread and butter if I could.

Feeling very jealous of everyone getting out running as I'm suffering with a lingering chest infection and can't breathe properly.

@MagpiePi - commiserations - I'm also on the sick bench with a weird lurgy that's left me feeling achey and fluey. Very jealous of the long sunny runs.

Similar here. At least knowing that you feel like lead because it's day 23, and next week you'll conquer the world helps 😂

I hate the luteal phase. Why is my energetic burst so brief?

Yes!!!! Damn the luteal phase 😂

We had thick fog this morning @Jumbojem so I ran this evening instead. It was just getting dark when I went out so I put my lights on and felt like a Christmas tree. I'm very slow in the dark - even with streetlights it's hard to see where you are going and I end up being a bit tentative. Despite my slowness Strava said that it was a solid effort. It was supposed to be a six miler with 4 miles at race pace, but was a 6 miler at bimble pace.

Well done to everyone running this week, it’s not easy to get out when there is so little daylight, on the positive side evenings are getting slightly longer.
I managed 4 runs this week ,including a lovely 7 miles on Monday in sunshine.

I've noticed that daylight is already eeking out to 4:15-4:30 depending on cloud cover. The mornings are still a slog to feel awake for starting the day though. I hadn't realised until recently that the shift to lighter mornings and evenings is slightly out of synch with each other, so the mornings take a bit longer to improve after the solstice.

Even in daylight, the lack of colour can be draining with everything in muted shades of grey and brown. I find running by the river very grey-brown in dull winter weather. The trouble is mud makes it hard getting out to the fields where there's the fresh winter crops. Roll on spring colour!

Same I have noted that later time which is nice

I always lament the longest day feeling so early in June but the flip side is the shortest day feels earlier in December

Period has arrived now and it's like a flipped switch, I have energy again!
Sunny and non working day today and I managed a glorious run. Longest in absolutely ages at 8 miles, and felt good (but very slow).
I saw in flower snowdrops, piglets and the daffs are starting to grow so def felt like things are moving towards spring, even if it is a way off yet. DSs has XC tomorrow and it's forecast to be "feels like 2 degrees" so a bit chilly.

Ah menstrual cycles, I remember them... you youngsters!! 😂. All HRT for me now.

Had a really nice run out on Studland this morning with my friend and her dog. I'm always a bit "meh" about trail and then I get there and really enjoy it (other than the km of death through the deep soft sand) because you can just chill and not worry about pace. Wasn't too muddy and made me realise how much drier this year has been vs last year when those trails were basically not runnable until April/May. I did a race in Surrey in April last year and it was water to your calves at least once every 5km for 50km (yes I had a massive sense of humour failure).

I do need to up my mileage a bit next week (which is also what I said last week).

After all my umming and ahhing, I finally settled on a half-marathon plan on Runna, as I liked the look of it and I really like that it sends the workouts directly to my watch and will suggest an update to my paces automatically if I do better/worse in my workouts.

On periods, pre-period last Thursday, had a progressive run of 1km @ 6:40, 2km @ 6:20 and 2km @6:10 and 1km @ 6:00 - should have been doable as I've done a few 5ks now at under 6:00m/km but I couldn't even attempt the last km interval and didn't make the time on the others either!

Sunday, first day of period, progressive long run 2km easy warm-up and cooldown, 4km @ 6:30 and 4km @ 6:10 - easy-peasy - accidentally ran the last 2 km too fast!

Slight problem being that I think my HM will be the week before my period. Oh well!

Oh and the best bit - shooting season closes here this weekend so as of next weekend I'll be able to do a lot more runs off-road, especially as it looks like a dry spell next week!

Yes I’ve also struggled with the dark grey mornings here even walking the dog has been a trudge in the dark. My better runs have been 4pm getting it done before it’s dark and actually suprisingly my body has responded better but my head prefers an early morning run before work to help me focus. Squeezed in a fast 5k before sunset tonight as a post work head clearer.

@JanuaryOSunshine I prefer running in the morning I always think it’s s good way to start the day.
Quick 4 miles this morning

I am awful at running early in the mornings generally but i can cope with parkrun! today I had parkrun with 1 mile warm up and 1 mile cool down on my programme. It's normally quite muddy but was quite OK today (still needed trail shoes) I was 3 seconds slower than last time. Was good to do a little bit longer run on a Saturday
Tomorrow meant to be doing 10 miles but other commitments mean I'll have to do in the afternoon which is not ideal.