Running goals, motivation and chat 2026 - Part 3!

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Hello runners!

Continuing on with our general running chit chat...

@OhOneOhTwoOhThree well done on your long run. A marathon that’s partially on sand sounds like a challenge. Enjoy the start of tapering.

@Jumbojem good luck with you 5k speed plan. I would like to improve my speed over shorter distances but I signed up for so much stuff (mainly half’s) in May that I probably need to get those done first.

glad you’re enjoying your deload week @tinks3110 glad to hear that your out and running quicker this time.

Well done on the beach race @xsquared running on sand sounds tough!

im feeling ok after the marathon on Sunday. I’d booked leave for yesterday so took the dog for a nice walk in the sunshine. Hips and my adductors on my injured side are a bit creaky but not too bad. Debating run club tonight. Will see how the day goes.

Hi everyone,

@Jumbojem DH and I were also a bit upset by our Hyrox photos and are now holding each other accountable. I purchased Hume scales which I now regret as the reviews are appalling but anyway.

I'm feeling a bit down in the dumps like I'm never going to make any progress which is stupid because I've already made loads.

But I did a 10k race last Sunday on a whim - got a ticket for free. It's my first 10k since my Before Cancer days so I was delighted to get round with no walking breaks.

Then on the race results there was an option to check vo2 max levels as had my watch on. It said fitness poor! I feel like I'm doomed. I think it's weight related. I now look much slimmer than I did before but I'm still really heavy on the scales - 14 stone at 5 ft 7. I put on 4 or 5 stone during my cancer treatment and I can't shift the final 2 stone.

Anyway I'm still going with my combined Hyrox / marathon plan.

Ooooh can I join please?

I've been running 'properly' since 2019, when I joined a C25k programme with a local club. I did it because I was feeling bad for being so unfit and short-changing my energetic DC, because they didn't have a DM who could run around and kick a ball with them. At that point, running 5k was my one and only goal - and knowing myself as I do I thought I'd do it and then it would probably taper off and I'd end up unfit again. But that didn't happen! I caught the running bug and I discovered that despite my non-running build (short, hourglass shaped), I'm actually not a bad runner and after 'graduating' from the C25k course I joined my running group's quickest pace group and have stayed there for almost seven years.

In that time I've done 10ks and a couple of half marathons and I try to run 3x a week. This past year though I've struggled a bit, because I went back to work 4 days a week after a long break and this winter the weather was so awful it made finding a time to run when it was light and not raining really challenging. I kept my running ticking over though and next week I'm running in a charity 10k with work. I've been training for the last few weeks and have done three 10ks, each one slightly faster than the last, so I'm feeling pretty good. I'll be the oldest one from work doing it and I'm hoping not to be the slowest! The younger women I work with have done almost no training and neither has my 47-year-old boss (who I've been Strava stalking 😂), so fingers crossed.

Good for you @zurigo - I love this post! What times are your 10ks if you don't mind me asking and what have you gleaned from stalking you boss' Strava.

well done on your 10k @Goditsmemargaret

welcome to the thread @zurigo good luck for your upcoming race!!

Can I hop on too. Hello fellow runners!

Ive been running a couple of years but still feel very much like a beginner. Still struggling with breathing and huffing and puffing.

I'm signed up for Venice marathon in October. I’ve done a 1/2 before and didn’t particularly love it but it’s a kind of bucket list thing.

Doing 3 runs a week to maintain at the moment before starting the marathon block in October. Am so daunted by the distances I will have to cover!

Thank you! Fastest 10k I've ever done was 58 mins (in 2020). Recently I've done 1: 04, 1: 03 and on Sunday I managed 1: 02 :24 on a hilly route with road crossings, so that was encouraging. Average length of boss's two weekly runs is about 4k and he's not fast 😁

Hi all. Not posted on this thread for a while but have been lurking. Well done on everyone’s progress and races. Did anyone do London landmarks the other week? It was my first time and I loved it. So much so that I think it sent me a bit loopy and I found myself signing up for Manchester next year 🙈

@Cantbesure well done on London landmarks half. I entered the ballot but didn’t get in. Is it Manchester marathon you’ve signed up for? That’ll be amazing!

Thanks @Whataninterestinglookingpotato I def recommend LLHM. The atmosphere was amazing. I was lucky to be asked to be part of a charity team.
yes Manchester marathon. I’ve never run more than a half. But I have a year to worry about it!

@Cantbesure i signed up for my first marathon with only 2 months to train having never run more than 15 miles and it was fine. You’ve got a year! You’ll smash it!

I felt better about marathon training when I realised that being used to half-marathon, I "just" had to do a 14, 16, 18 and 20 mile run as extras on top of what my body had done.
On marathon day, I'd already survived the 20mi on tired legs out on my own, then it was "just" a tough 10k race and each step was a new achievement for me.

Alas I can't use that logic a second time if necessary 😂

I returned to work full time in the autumn after a somewhat lengthy absence and it's definitely cramped my running routines.

I was up at run o'clock this morning but I think I left my calves and shins in bed. They were not playing along with me. Another issue is that I live just off the crest of a ridge so the choice is drive elsewhere (no time in the morning, I need some sleep!), or go down then slog up the steeper side to get home or go up along the more gentle ridge early in the run to keep height then get some downhill in the second half. I tend to go for the last option as the least unattractive.

Hello, can I join please?
Also signed up for the Manchester Marathon next year and wondering what I was thinking! Got my first half at the end of May and training is going ok mostly but need to make more effort to get the strength training in!

I only started running properly last summer and have been so inspired by all your posts ☺️

Ooh well done @JantoDec we can support each other on our training. I only plan to do this once 😂

How did the LLHM go? Did you follow a training plan? I’m using Runna and it’s got me doing the full 13.1 in training this weekend at conversational pace while I’m part excited and part anxious about!
I did 11 miles last weekend and have had some pain in my outer sole since, not sure that that’s all about?!

You are very brave signing up for a marathon when you didn’t enjoy the half! Venice sounds amazing though. When do you start following the full marathon plan?

@JantoDec I did a half in April that I trained for, but using chat gpt. I’ve had friends end up injured using Runna. I took LLHM as more of a ‘fun’ run and no pressure for time. I was over 15 mins slower 😂

Can i join? Been a bit of an on-off runner and now built back up a bit following some time off for endo surgery last year. Attempting a half in October (have done about 10 before I think).

Welcome to the threat @JantoDec and @whatsit84 good luck with your marathon and half training!!

I have also heard of people getting injured using runna. I have also heard that the way to avoid it is to be really conservative about your running level and experience as it seems like quite an optimistic app!!

I got garmin to make me a plan for the marathon I ran last weekend but mainly just ignored it and did what I wanted 😂. Last marathon in October I didn’t have a plan at all but my marathon was the same day as Chicago and a really experienced running friend from the club was doing that so I just followed him around 😂. I feel more or less like I know what doing now though. The main coach from the club wanted to train me for this marathon as he thinks I have potential to be fast but I declined as I went into the block so injured I just needed to do what I could when I could. I might take him up for London next year if I get my good for age place and I’m not injured 😂.

I went to club run last night, it was inevitable as I can’t sit still. Nice to see everyone and a nice 7.5 miles mostly on trail with the gang. I didn’t feel too bad all things considered! Gym class tonight but kept to either body weight or very light weights. I’m not sure what the rest of the week will bring. I’ll take it steady though I’m part of a marathon relay team the week after. Happy running all.

Thanks @OhOneOhTwoOhThree .

It started and ended on sand, and it was mixed terrrain, so deciding on which pair of shoes to make me faster was futile as it was never going to be that sort of race. I wore trails last year, but this year I got away with road shoes, even if my feet got wet at the end.

It is hard to get any forward motion going on the sand, but I leaned forward and took light steps not quite letting my heel touch the ground before taking the next step. It felt easier doing it this time round. I don't know whether it was technique, shoes or just the laissez faire approach I had which took the pressure off somewhat.

Welcome @JantoDec and @whatsit84 . I hope your first half goes well at the end of next month.

I used Runna for a week during the free trial, and to be honest, the times they predict you are way too ambitious, and the workouts are far too intense for me when I did it. I know some people love it, but it wasn't for me.If you own a Garmin, they have their own programs for free you could try.

I use Runna and quite like it. Used it for my 10 mile in March which I managed to do in the Runna predicted time and currently using it for a custom 14.9 mile plan to hopefully get me round 2 laps of ultra warrior. I need an app or plan to help me with speed work as I’ve got no clue! Although it is always telling me off for running too fast on easy run days 🙈. I’ve also added a stretch and stability session on to my plan and finding that really useful as I’m not usually one for stretching 😂

welcome to all newcomers.

I led run club last night, there were only 4 of us and I had an idea of the route we were going to do but ended up just going where I fancied which is what I usually do when out on my own. Not convinced the others liked it but we managed 5 miles

I also signed up for Manchester yesterday. It’ll be my first marathon (at the age of 50) and doing one has always been on my bucket list

I've done Garmin plans. I liked the instructions on my wrist, but found the pacing could be off which led to annoying beeps. I prefer them for short distance plans.

I quite like Nike Run plans for the podcasts.

I'm currently doing a DIY plan which I ran through the AI on my phone. With my time and routines, it didn't suggest anything revolutionary and it was interesting to see it being close to what I'd plan anyway.

Welcome new folks! Everyone running marathons had me swept along too, but I've resisted so far!
Interesting hearing what plans everyone is using, I've had mixed reports about Runna too. I've tried all the Garmin ones, they can be a bit inflexible I.e don't take account of how tired you are, any runs/exercise outside the plan. Although a friend says they are a bit better at that now. As I was training for a trail half and trail 15 mile race which didn't fit the prescribed plans I used copilot. Really liked it, gives lots of encouraging feedback and if a run didn't go well would explain why that might be etc Carrying on with it now, on the same running training script, for a 5k pb attempt next month.
I'm off with OH this weekend so may do a tourist parkrun if he thinks his niggle isn't too bad ( he refuses to call it an injury!).