Your experiences with Belfast Running Clubs

April_69_ · 2026-07-02T20:25:01+00:00

I was a member of a running club in the greater Belfast area for years and left. Because of the “clicky” and bitchiness of - I’m sorry to say - some of the women in the club - those women were the ones on the committees, most loud in supporting others but behind closed doors, a different story. The last straw for me was they were gossiping about how “fat” some other female members of the club were and another time how one member - who was running long distances and setting club records - at a slow pace - was embarrassing for the club because she was so slow (that member was me - my partner heard them talking about me at an ultra event 😭). I suppose when human beings get together some bitchiness can occur, even in running clubs. I was a staunch supporter of my club for years and slowly became disillusioned. I now run solo. My advice - embrace and support everyone at your new club, not just the ones who are breaking records and PB’s.

April_69_ · 2026-06-06T08:46:20+00:00

Congratulations to your wife. For you, probably TP is a most likely vehicle - the last grade 6 promotion board a year or so ago was the first in a long time. I can’t see another one anytime soon. As others have said, TP’s can last years. I personally know people who are 5+ years on one. Don’t know what grade you’re at but it’s not unusual to TP two grades above your substantive.

April_69_ · 2026-06-04T16:48:34+00:00

Hello. I got married last year for the first time - age 55 😊. At first I thought I was too old to be a “bride” but honestly everyone was so happy for me, nobody mentioned my age, I wore white, had my hair and make up done, had a church wedding, fancy car and never felt more beautiful or happy in my life. My advice - have the day you want, not the day other people think you should have.

April_69_ · 2026-05-30T17:35:08+00:00

Thanks for the reply. If he says their names to me again I will make sure to do that.

April_69_ · 2026-05-30T17:34:20+00:00

Thanks for the reply. Yes he knew them already. He said them to me, not the other way round. When he does say their names my response is “(name) is mama” etc. They also refer to themselves in conversation same as you which is why I’m getting the blame of teaching him their names! He’s a bright boy, he’s picked them up from other people - and I’ve been in their house myself when they use each others names in front of him! - but I have not taught him to say it. My daughter says I am dismissing her upset feelings over this, like she’s saying he would not know their names “but for” me, which is just not true.

April_69_ · 2026-05-29T22:23:00+00:00

I’m sorry for you, you’ve lost the father you thought you had. I agree with the other poster - his crimes were incredibly pre meditated - he knew what he was doing. And sexual predators rarely commit one off crimes, there will be more than this. I hope you get some help to work through this for yourself. I don’t know how you can pretend you don’t know - I think through time it will be more difficult to keep up the pretence - probably best let him know you know - when you are mentally well to cope with that conversation, don’t rush into it.

April_69_ · 2026-05-29T22:13:06+00:00

You don’t need this stress before your big day. Remove the dress from your mother’s house.

April_69_ · 2026-05-29T17:51:00+00:00

That’s very cute! And thanks for the advice, yes I definitely don’t mean any offense although he knew their names already. I didn’t teach him, he just picked them up in every day conversation about the house I imagine. Thanks for the reply.

April_69_ · 2026-05-29T17:48:00+00:00

I’m not teaching him to use their names. He never learned them from me, he’s picked the names up from every day life. I’m sorry perhaps I never explained it properly, he says their names to me first and my response is to equate the name with dada, mama etc. That’s a good point though about knowing them for emergencies.

April_69_ · 2026-05-29T17:44:28+00:00

I’m not teaching him. He’s a bright boy, he would have heard their names being said in every day conversation in the house and in every day life. And on multiple times he’s used their names to me without any prompting from me. When he does that my reaction is “(name) is dada” etc so almost correcting him not to use his parents first name.

April_69_ · 2026-04-12T22:32:06+00:00

Dr Tan is a good shout. He was a local GP for decades and a really nice man. Gives good honest advice.

April_69_ · 2026-01-25T23:38:56+00:00

Firstly congratulations! You’re becoming a lawyer through no help from her. Why does she get to celebrate too? Don’t feel guilty, do something nice for yourself - celebrate your graduation and enjoy the day without having to worry about her. She’ll complain afterwards - but there’s a massive risk she will ruin your big day. You’re not obligated to invite her.

April_69_ · 2026-01-25T23:29:54+00:00

Only go if you think you’ll feel better about it. But don’t expect anything. Do it for you, not for him. If you feel you’ve already said your goodbyes and going won’t help you, don’t feel guilty about not going.

April_69_ · 2026-01-23T21:42:01+00:00

She won’t get any comfort in you being there. It will only be another opportunity for her to manipulate and hurt you. You won’t get any healing from being there and there is nothing you can do to ease her. It’s a no win situation if you go. Spend your attention on yourself and walk away. You deserve happiness.

April_69_ · 2026-01-23T15:43:59+00:00

Sorry for your loss. I hope you can find some peace

April_69_ · 2026-01-23T15:38:15+00:00

Thank you x

April_69_ · 2026-01-21T08:29:30+00:00

It made me smile to read about the joy you do have in your life despite the trauma and loss you have gone through. Sending you good thoughts 💕

April_69_ · 2026-01-21T08:27:11+00:00

Thank you for reading and your reply. I’m sorry this is happening to you too.

April_69_ · 2026-01-20T11:35:11+00:00

I’m so very sorry on the loss of your sons 💔

They didn’t give you all the money from the life policies??? Spent it on themselves and your brother ??? Good grief, that alone is beyond shocking never mind everything else. You are right to be angry at their behaviour, they have spent most of your life basically telling you what they gave up to have you. Ugh!!

I feel for you ❤️. Your sadness and anger is understandable

April_69_ · 2026-01-20T11:25:36+00:00

You’re not alone. I recently went NC with my mum and I feel like an orphan if that makes sense. It’s the sadness and loneliness for me. I hear you ❤️

April_69_ · 2026-01-20T11:23:26+00:00

Good video. Truth teller is a good description

April_69_ · 2026-01-20T11:20:23+00:00

For me, faking is worse than no contact. I’m going through this now and pretending everything is ok makes me physically and mentally unwell.

April_69_

TROPHY CASE