RUNNING · TRAINING · GEAR
RUN FURTHER. RUN SMARTER.
Real running advice from a busy NHS worker and mum of two who runs 5–10km three times a week — with her Dalmatian Luna.
RUNNING FUNDAMENTALS
HOW TO START RUNNING
You don’t need to be fast. You don’t need to be fit. You just need to start. Here’s the exact approach I used — as someone who began running with a Dalmatian and no idea what I was doing.
WEEK 1-2
WALK/RUN INTERVALS
Start with 1 minute running, 2 minutes walking. Repeat 6-8 times. This builds your aerobic base without destroying your legs. No shame in walking — it's part of the process.
WEEK 3-4
BUILD YOUR BASE
Extend your running intervals to 3-5 minutes with 1 minute walking. Aim for 3 sessions per week. Consistency matters more than distance at this stage.
WEEK 5+
RUN CONTINUOUSLY
By week 5 most beginners can run 20-30 minutes without stopping. Don't worry about pace — if you can hold a conversation, you're running at the right speed.
KNOW YOUR TERRAIN
ROAD VS TRAIL RUNNING
Two completely different sports that happen to involve the same movement. Choosing the right one for you makes all the difference.
ROAD RUNNING
CONSISTENT. MEASURABLE. FAST.
Pavements, paths, parks. Predictable surface, easier to track pace and distance. Better for beginners and those training for races. Your Garmin will love it.
✓ Easy to measure progress
✓ Better for speed and race training
✓ Accessible anywhere
✗ Harder on joints over time
✗ Less varied, can get repetitive
TRAIL RUNNING
RAW. UNPREDICTABLE. FREEING.
Mud, roots, hills, open sky. Slower pace, bigger mental reward. Stronger on ankles and hips. Running with Luna on trails is the best part of my week.
✓ Easier on joints (softer surface)
✓ Builds stronger stabiliser muscles
✓ Mental health benefits are unmatched
✗ Slower pace, harder to track progress
✗ Needs trail-specific shoes
Stay In It
PROMPTS & MOTIVATION
Every runner hits the wall — not just in races, but on Tuesday mornings when it's raining and you really don't want to go. Here's what actually works.
RACE PSYCHOLOGY
ENTER THE RACE FIRST
Pay the entry fee before you feel ready. The moment money leaves your account, your brain shifts from 'maybe' to 'definitely'. A 5K, a 10K, a half marathon — it doesn't matter. The deadline is what makes you train on the days you don't want to.
THE 10-MINUTE RULE
JUST START. THAT'S IT.
Tell yourself you're only running for 10 minutes. Put your shoes on, get outside, and start moving. In 20 years of running I have never — not once — turned back after 10 minutes. The hardest part is always the front door. Everything after that is easy.
MENTAL TOOLKIT
THE PLAYLIST RULE
Build one playlist you only ever listen to while running. Never in the car, never at home. Over time, pressing play becomes a psychological trigger — your body knows what's coming and starts preparing before you've even laced up. Pavlov understood something.
ACCOUNTABILITY
FIND YOUR PERSON
A running partner changes everything. Not because running with someone is easier — it isn't. But because cancelling on yourself is easy. Cancelling on someone waiting for you in the cold at 6am is not. Human or dog, it doesn't matter. Both will judge you for staying in bed.
ESSENTIAL GEAR
WHAT YOU ACTUALLY NEED
Running is the cheapest sport in the world — until you start buying gear. Here’s what’s actually worth it, tested over hundreds of miles. Amazon UK affiliate links included.
ESSENTIAL · BEGINNERS
RUNNING SHOES
The only thing you truly need. Get fitted properly — wrong shoes cause 80% of running injuries. Hoka Clifton or Brooks Ghost are the safest starting points.
ESSENTIAL · TRACKING
GPS WATCH
Garmin changed how I train. Track pace, distance, heart rate and recovery. You don't need the top model — the Garmin Forerunner 55 does everything a beginner needs.
ESSENTIAL · COMFORT
RUNNING SOCKS
Seriously underrated. Proper running socks prevent blisters better than any amount of shoe fitting. Balega or Hilly Twin Skin — both are game changers.
TRAIL · UPGRADE
TRAIL SHOES
If you run off-road at all, trail shoes are essential. Hoka Speedgoat for technical terrain, Salomon Speedcross for muddy UK trails. Both brilliant.
WOMEN · RUNNING CLOTHING
RUNNING APPAREL
Moisture-wicking leggings, lightweight tops and wind-resistant jackets — the right kit makes every run more comfortable. Gymshark, Adidas and Nike all deliver at every price point.
HYDRATION · DISTANCE
RUNNING VEST
Once you're running over 10K, a hydration vest changes everything. Salomon Active Skin 4 — lightweight, fits close, no bounce. Worth every penny.
MYTH BUSTING
RUNNING MYTHS DEBUNKED
Running is one of the most myth-ridden sports in existence. These three come up constantly — and all three are wrong.
MYTH BUSTED
RUNNING DESTROYS YOUR KNEES
The most persistent myth in running. Research consistently shows recreational running actually strengthens knee cartilage — it doesn't wear it down. Knee pain comes from weakness and bad form, not running itself.
READ MORE →MYTH BUSTED
YOU NEED TO STRETCH BEFORE YOU RUN
Static stretching before running increases injury risk. Your muscles are cold — pulling them doesn't help. A dynamic warm-up (leg swings, high knees, butt kicks) is what actually prepares your body.
READ MORE →MYTH BUSTED
YOU HAVE TO BE SLIM TO BE A RUNNER
Runners come in every size and shape. Speed and body type have almost no correlation at recreational level. If you run, you are a runner. Full stop. The only requirement is showing up.
READ MORE →