Running goals, motivation and chat 2025 - Part 2!

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Hi all, just setting up a second thread - I hope you don’t mind @Jumbojem but the other one was getting a bit close to ending…

Sorry to keep harping on about the weather but it’s still raining up here so instead of running this morning I’m going to get back on my lovely water rowing machine which I’ve neglected totally since starting running back in Jan/Feb. I miss it (and I miss the muscle toning it gave me) so I’m going to get back on this morning for a change.

Might do parkrun tomorrow or a longer run, haven’t yet decided.

Well done @tinks3110 thats an amazing time!!

@Stripeymouse it can be hard to be motivated to get out in the cold! Running with others has definitely helped! I’m currently mostly still wearing shorts and T-shirt. It’s cold staring off but soon warm up. I wore a long sleeved top to track on Friday and soon regretted my decision. As it gets colder I’ll wear more long sleeved tops and I have some capri leggings I may switch to when it gets proper cold. Tbh it was only 6 degrees when we set off this morning but shorts and t shirts were still fine after about the first 500 meters.

I've just moved from shorts to leggings, I am still just in a tshirt as I get really warm once I’m out there. I am searching for a lightweight waterproof running jacket for the winter months, anyone got any recommendations?

@tinks3110 that is FABULOUS! Well done and always nice to have a lovely bit of bling as well!

@Whataninterestinglookingpotato well done on your long run - coffee and cake well deserved!

@Stripeymouse don't be downhearted. All kinds of things can affect how fast/slow you run and sometimes there is no rhyme or reason for it. Layers are my friend in winter, plus hat and gloves (I can run in a tee shirt if my hands are warm).

Gorgeous sunny morning here, so I went lake swimming and then ran a trail 5k around the grounds. I'm on 890-something miles for the year, hoping to make it 1000 by the end of December.

@tinks3110 I bought a waterproof running jacket from Mountain Warehouse last year. It's not this exact one, but something like it. I was doing an event which called for a specific level of waterproof-ness in the kit list, and my pac-a-mac didn't meet the requirements. I've used it several times in lashing rain and it's been great (I do quite a bit of walking so it was worth spending the £££ as I knew I'd get plenty of use out of it).

https://www.mountainwarehouse.com/p/039163/mw/3-layer-rhine-extreme-womens-waterproof-jacket/dark-red/

Wow @tinks3110 great run & well done @Whataninterestinglookingpotato

@Stripeymouse my running mojo definitely ebbs and flows but just telling myself to get up and put my kit on to go for a walk or listen to a podcast or new playlist gets me outside and pretty much every time I start running within 3-4mins of walking. I do mix it up with trails so wear trail shoes if conditions slippy. I prefer cold weather running though. Any fresh air makes me feel brighter. I often wear fingerless gloves for half my run and then shove them in my rain coat pocket tied round my waist.

Had my flu jab today so have a sore arm & feel abit meh hopefully it won’t last more than 36hrs.

I love this thread for all the support. I’m def back loving my running again and am amazed how much progress I’ve made in the last 6 months. Here’s a gratuitous medal pic!

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That is a cool medal @tinks3110
with regards to running jackets. There are some really good deals on at the moment in the sales. I’ve been looking at some on sportshoes.com that are like £139 reduced to £15. I have one in my basket as we speak but haven’t brought it yet as don’t know how much I’ll actually use it!

@Whataninterestinglookingpotato thanks for mentioning that website! (I think!) Ive just had a browse out of nosiness and added several things I need (want) to my basket.

What a lovely medal @tinks3110 I love a quirky different medal.

Ive had an ok weekend running wise
Did a parkrun on Saturday, not a fast one this week. It was incredibly windy and strong gusts (its situationed along a harbour) so im just pleased I finished.
Then ive done 16.5km this morning
Very very slowly, just over 2 hours, but I did it. Ive had a cold for the last couple of days so I just happy its out of the way now for this week. Plus, ive now run 10 miles. My aim for October, so Im pleased with that. I think ill stick at this distance for a week or two, just to let my body adjust.

Well done to everyone's runs, some good times.

I'm signed up for my next race

I'm getting towards peak milage for it and I'm happy it's doable now.

I did "train" towards a HM in the summer, but with circumstances being a bit uncertain, didn't sign up in the end, and I've been building my longer runs back up again in the last month or so. I might be able to do my 3rd HM of the year around Christmas; there's a lapped running festival at a pleasant venue that looks viable, and I'll be up to appropriate milage to do that.

I need to work out how to fit some mid-week runs in. I'm already up fairly early in the mornings, and being on my feet all day, don't really want to blow my energy before work (plus dealing with wet hair etc), then my evenings are fairly busy mum-taxiing. Lunch break definitely not viable. I'm active, but garmin keeps whinging about bloody anaerobic workouts. I've mainly been getting by on active lifestyle, parkrun and long run over the last couple of months... and I hear rest/ recovery is well-regarded too

What is everyone working towards at the moment?

Sorry if its already been covered previously!

Ive got a 10k next weekend (my second one) and a 10 miler at the end of the month. Then two 10ks in December. Next year im upping the milage, to half's and marathons (debating an ultra too but think im being slightly ridiculous even considering it!)

Weather awful here today, I got out this morning for a run (gentle 5k then 10 hill reps)
Park run on saturday, trying a new one as away for the weekend, might go for a gentle jog on Sunday, weather and hangover dependant!

I got a treadmill for this reason. I struggle with childcare and time, especially in the darker winter months, so got a cheapy treadmill of ebay just to keep up with the runs.
I run outside most of the time, ill use the treadmill for 1 out of 5 runs, but it does take the pressure off.

@BogRollBOGOF i used to find it hard to fit stuff in when I had more mum taxi duties. Do you have to sit and wait in the car for them at all? When I used to have to I used to go for a quick run while I was waiting for them at various clubs. I don’t know myself now they both drive and can just sort themselves out!

@SFRSmum i have a half marathon next weekend. Then a 10 mile trail race the first weekend in December.

next year so far I have my local towns half in March and the great Bristol run in May. I also have ham and Lyme ultra booked for July.

I’m thinking of either Boston U.K. or Newport marathon in April. I think I’m also going to do the cheddar gorge trail marathon in June as training for my ultra (I can book it for free as came 3rd in the marathon and that was my prize!). I may also do giants head trail half in June, it’s the weekend after cheddar which may be a bit silly, but I really want the spinning Willy medal! 😂😂. I’m such a child!!

I will book in a load of 10ks around the bigger races. I’ll try and do as many of the club championship ones as I can.

what’s everyone else got planned?

Wow! Im slightly relieved that you've got so much booked in, ive got a fair few booked for next year and thought I was getting a bit over excited (so much so, that im already planning what im going to be doing in 2027 as I cant fit everything in 🤣)

Is your ultra the 50k or 100k? Cheddar gorge will be lovely, love it in that area.

My first half is in march too, I booked it on a whim as we have a holiday booked in the easter holidays and I thought I wonder if there are any runs in the area, and this one came up so I booked it. Only after did I read the 850ft height gain. Luckily we live in a hilly area so most of my runs have hills in, although not that hilly!

Ive booked the loch ness marathon in September then got the AJ Bell glasgow half marathon the week after, maybe a bit daft but I did the AJ Bell Glasgow 10k this year and it was amazing.

@SFRSmum Loch Ness marathon is meant to be amazing!! I was thinking about it myself tbh even though it’s miles from me!! But I think I’ve decided that I’ll probably do Newport, as I can drive there in the morning, in the spring and then maybe lanzarote in December, with a little holiday thrown in!! I’d also like to do the great south run if I can fit it all in. I haven’t booked all of them yet, it’s just the plans I’m mulling over. I also haven’t ruled out a 10 miler in the new forest at the end of November and I think I’ve now committed to the Stonehenge stomp 30km in January. I’m thinking this is perhaps starting to get out of hand! 😂

The ultra I have booked is 50km. But I’m also considering a 50 miler, just because I’m a little insane!

Admittedly one night is my strength class, and another my Girl Guiding so half of it is technically self-taxiing

I tend to use the two other sessions for reading books. The parkrun eve isn't ideal timing, and the other one isn't in a great location for winter running.

For those of you looking for interesting events these guys put on some good ones outeredge-events.com/

Gosh it was warm this morning I nipped out at 7am and was stripping off layers & red faced after 2k, got a nice steady 8k done before I had to get back. It was 15c with a warm southy wind lots of tree debris though from the strong winds over night on the path.

Well done on your early morning 8k @RunningInto I’m in awe of people who can get out and run that early!!

track last night for me and quite a tough session. I went for it kind of forgetting I had made arrangements to go to park run with one of the guys from my group as he was going to try and pace me for a PB. Rocked up to park run this morning with heavy legs, feeling tired and a bit sore. It’s quite an exposed course too and it was pretty windy, which is something I struggle with. Didn’t think I’d do it and the whole way round I wanted to quit, but I didn’t! I knocked 50 seconds of my previous 5k PB with a time of 21:49! 22nd over all, 3rd lady and second in my age category (1st lady was my age). Very happy with that!!

got a 10 mile trail run planned with a group of people from the running club tomorrow.

Hope everyone else is having a fab weekend!

Well done @Whataninterestinglookingpotato !

I tested out my rain jacket this morning and stayed nice and dry. A new to me parkrun as I’m away visiting relatives. It rained heavily all through the pre-parkrun briefings but stopped once we were running. I was glad of my trail shoes and took it steady. A friend fell this week and broke their elbow and bashed themselves up badly so I was extra aware of the need to be careful.

I’ve also managed a couple of pre-work run this week to keep myself ticking over.

Good to see what people have planned for the next few months. I’m going to do a trail marathon, and have also signed up for a trail HM which fits into the marathon training plan.

Well done everyone. You all inspire me to get up and out. @Whataninterestinglookingpotato inspired me to buy some winter running kit.

Finally got out this morning and did a very ploddy 5km in the wind and rain. I’ve got 6 weeks until my first 10km so I can’t get lazy now.

Wow! Well done @Whataninterestinglookingpotato on your parkrun pb.You are making such rapid progress!

I've been trying to get sub 22 on parkrun for ages, but Ive just not been consistent enough to go for it.

My next race is a road 10 miles on 16th November, so just keeping things ticking over for that!

Glad that your rain coat was water proof @OhOneOhTwoOhThree! I have brought one but not yet tried it out. Luckily it was dry here this morning, though very windy. I did get a bit wet walking the dog after park run though!

well done for getting out @Stripeymouse just keep plugging away and you’ll smash your 10k!

@xsquared im not hugely consistent with going to park run, pelting around 5k is not my favourite type of running. I have been more consistent with track sessions though. Again, I don’t love them but I know they are making me faster so I show up! You’re pretty nippy yourself and I’m sure you’ll get that 22 soon.

Hello all! Just checking in, nothing to report really.
I am impressed with everyone getting out, getting PBs and it looks like some of you are going to be very busy with events!
The dark nights, rubbish weather and other life bits mean I haven't run so consistently lately. Always struggle a bit this time of year. Did a nice 4 miler around the local hill fort earlier, ran up every path up so plenty of elevation for a short run. Some lovely autumn colours and managed to miss the rain as a bonus.

Well done on your hill fort run @Jumbojem.

I also ran around our local hill fort today with the trail gang from the running club and did the course of the 10 mile race that I’m doing at the start of December. It was a lovely morning for it and a fun, if very muddy and hilly, course. Apparently the course was less savage today than it will be ok race day due to the mud! It was very muddy today, so race day is going to be fun!!