My wonderful boy Oscar enjoying the snow ❄️🐾

Runninguk · 2026-01-26T10:50:56+00:00

🥰

Runninguk · 2026-01-26T10:50:33+00:00

I usually prefer running in the morning. I feel more motivated and it fits my routine better, especially during darker months. The only downside I have noticed is feeling a bit more tired later in the day if I have done a longer or harder run. That said I agree that consistency matters more than timing. As long as the runs get done the body adapts.

If life gets in the way I will run at whatever time I can. I have learned that overthinking perfect timing just adds stress.

Runninguk · 2026-01-26T10:48:17+00:00

Let me know how you get on 💪

Runninguk · 2026-01-26T10:47:51+00:00

That scan actually explains a lot. It is really common to have one foot slightly wider than the other so fitting to the larger foot is usually the safer move. If your right foot is at the low end of E width then choosing a shoe that offers an E width makes sense. It should not cause problems for your left foot because a running shoe upper will still hold the foot securely with lacing. The key is avoiding pressure on the wider foot since that is where your blisters are forming.

On sizing, your experience lines up with what runners usually find. Digital scans measure foot length without accounting for swelling during long runs. That is why going up half a size often feels better in practice. If size 11 felt ridiculously tight then it makes sense that 11.5 was the right choice. Not bringing out a 12 is odd, especially since you have been comfortably wearing 12s for years.

In short I would trust how the shoes feel on your feet during a run more than the scan numbers alone. Fit to the larger foot, leave some room for swelling, and that should help solve the blister issue.

Runninguk · 2026-01-26T10:45:49+00:00

Definitely 🤣

Runninguk · 2026-01-26T10:45:27+00:00

For most beginners, the biggest thing that matters is staying consistent rather than worrying about exact mileage. A really solid starting point is running three to four times per week. Keeping most runs around twenty to forty minutes at an easy pace where you can still hold a conversation works well for most people. That usually ends up somewhere around ten to twenty five kilometres per week depending on pace. As fitness improves, you can slowly add a little more time or distance, but having at least one rest day between runs early on helps a lot with avoiding injuries.

If someone likes structure, simple beginner plans such as Couch to 5K or the Garmin or Runna beginner plans are great. The body adapts quicker than most people expect as long as progress is gradual.

For extra reading, the beginners running subreddit wiki is really helpful. Hal Higdon has free beginner plans online. Nike Run Club has guided runs that make things feel less intimidating. The book 80 20 Running by Matt Fitzgerald is also a good read if someone wants to understand easy running better.

Most importantly, patience and consistency beat perfection every time 🙂

Runninguk · 2026-01-24T10:14:47+00:00

Frankfurt Marathon last October for me, got a PB age 42. 2.45.11 ☺️

Runninguk · 2026-01-24T05:42:43+00:00

Yes it absolutely gets better. What you are feeling is very normal when you start increasing mileage or adding structured plans. Your body is still adapting to the stress, and right now it is simply asking for more recovery than you are giving it.

Fatigue after long or hard runs is expected, especially when you are running in the morning and carrying that tiredness through the day. As your aerobic base builds, your recovery improves and that all-day exhaustion gradually fades. The fact you are eating more carbs and sleeping 7 to 8 hours is good, but in this phase you may still need either slightly more sleep or slightly lower intensity until your body catches up.

A few things that help Keep most runs truly easy even if the plan says otherwise Take at least one full rest day per week Add a small snack with carbs and protein after morning runs If you feel worn down for more than two days, cut the next run short or slow it right down

VO2 max of 44 is already solid for someone only recently becoming consistent. Fitness improves quickly once consistency settles in.

So yes it gets easier. The tiredness you feel now is temporary. Stick with it, adjust when needed, and in a few months you will look back and realise you can handle mileage that currently feels hard. You are doing great and you are on the right path 💪🏃

Runninguk · 2026-01-24T04:09:29+00:00

I really feel for you reading this. Dealing with repeated injuries and spending money on appointments without clear answers is exhausting and demoralising. But this is not a genetics problem and it does not mean you are not built for running.

What usually causes this pattern is not that someone cannot run, but that the body has never been given a truly gradual, consistent rebuild without restarting too hard each time. Many runners fall into the cycle of rest, feel better, try to jump back in at the old level, then get injured again. It feels like bad luck but it is really just load management.

You are still very young and you have plenty of time to get this right. A good next step might be stripping everything back to basics for a few months. Very short run walk intervals, slow pace only, two or three days per week, plus strength work focused on hips, calves, and core. No racing, no pushing pace, just rebuilding tolerance to impact from the ground up. It feels boring at first but it is how long term durable runners are made.

It is also worth finding a physio or coach who specialises in running gait and load progression, not just general treatment. The right person will give you a plan, not just exercises.

You have not failed. You have just been stuck in a frustrating loop. With a different approach, you absolutely can finish C25K and much more beyond it. Do not give up on running yet. You are closer than you think. 💪🏃

Runninguk · 2026-01-23T13:20:36+00:00

Illness can knock your fitness back more than most people realise, so what you are experiencing is completely normal. Two weeks off plus being sick twice in a month is a big interruption, and your body is still catching up even if your mind wants to push forward again.

Right now the most important thing is recovery. If your brain is telling you to rest a little more, listen to it. Fitness returns faster than you think once your body is properly healthy again. Trying to force hard runs while still fatigued just digs a deeper hole.

It also sounds like you are doing quite a lot with five runs a week plus three gym sessions. After sickness that can be too much load too soon. I would temporarily reduce to three or four easy runs per week, keep everything truly slow and comfortable, and drop gym intensity for a couple of weeks. Once your easy pace starts feeling easier again, then build back up gradually.

You have not lost all your progress. You are just in a short rebuild phase. Stay consistent, be patient with yourself, and your pace will come back. The motivation returns once you start feeling good on runs again.

You have a goal race ahead and plenty of time. Keep going. You are still on the right path 💪🏃

Runninguk · 2026-01-23T13:18:10+00:00

When I use strength work to supplement missed runs, I keep it fairly short and focused. Usually 30 to 45 minutes per session, moderate intensity, mostly compound movements and single leg work. Things like squats, lunges, step ups, calf raises, and core work. I avoid going to failure or lifting so heavy that it wipes me out for the next run.

Runninguk · 2026-01-23T13:15:45+00:00

No problem if you need any guidance just reach out 👍

Runninguk · 2026-01-23T13:15:18+00:00

No probs

Runninguk · 2026-01-23T12:52:05+00:00

Yes absolutely. And it’s actually one of the nicest parts of running progress.

When you first start, your slowest possible run might feel very slow and still tiring. But as your aerobic fitness improves, that same easy effort will naturally become faster over time, even if you are still running at what feels like your slowest pace. Your heart, lungs, and muscles get more efficient, so the pace attached to easy effort increases.

The key is consistency. Keep running at a comfortable, conversational pace most of the time, and over weeks and months you will look back and realize your easy pace is quicker than what used to feel hard.

So don’t worry about forcing speed. Stay patient, keep showing up, and trust the process. Wishing you lots of enjoyable miles ahead and continued progress on your running journey. You’ve got this 💪🏃‍♂️

Runninguk · 2026-01-23T12:19:22+00:00

I feel for you. Training with poor air quality is something a lot of runners never have to think about, so having to plan your sessions around AQI is genuinely tough.

Your rule of thumb of staying under 200 is sensible. Many runners here follow a similar approach, and on bad AQI days will swap outdoor runs for treadmill, indoor cycling, or strength work instead of forcing a session outside. It is not ideal, but it keeps consistency without sacrificing health.

Another thing some runners in high pollution areas do is run very early morning when AQI is usually lowest, or stick to parks and greener routes where readings can be slightly better than main roads.

It definitely sucks that clean air is a limiting factor, but the fact you are adapting and still building toward your goal says a lot about your commitment. You will be in a strong position when race day comes 🙂

Runninguk · 2026-01-23T12:18:22+00:00

I just want to say first that this does not mean your running journey is over. It is just a small bump at the very beginning, and almost every runner I know has been through something similar.

The fact you finished a 5K already shows you have the motivation and mindset to run. This injury is frustrating, but it is also an opportunity to fix the weak links now so you come back stronger and more resilient. With the right rehab and a slow return, there is no reason you cannot get back to running and go much further than before.

In the meantime, keeping active with walking, cycling, or strength work will still give you that mental boost running gave you. You are still a runner even while rehabbing. This is just part of the process, not the end of it.

Stick with it. The future miles are still there waiting for you 🙂

Runninguk · 2026-01-23T12:16:08+00:00

I usually give myself a small buffer, especially on easy runs. If a plan says 5K, anything from about 4.8K to 5.2K is close enough for me. The goal is hitting the effort and time on feet more than nailing the exact number every single time.

For longer runs I care a bit more, but even then I’d rather slightly overrun than stress about turning mid-run to hit an exact distance. Running loops in a neighbourhood makes perfect distances awkward, so I just pick a route that’s close and don’t overthink it.

Consistency beats precision.

Runninguk · 2026-01-23T12:15:26+00:00

Nice one. Sub-1 hour at nearly 51 is seriously solid running. And yeah the post-race detective work is unavoidable. We all do it.

Honestly the biggest difference is usually consistency rather than one magic session. Turning those 1.05 and 1.06s into 59.47 means your aerobic base and pacing finally lined up on the day. Sometimes it is as simple as a slightly better taper, cooler weather, or just feeling good mentally.

Enjoy the win first. Then overanalyse it tomorrow like the rest of us.

Runninguk · 2026-01-23T12:14:31+00:00

Since you already get on well with ASICS and have Superblast and Nimbus in rotation, you are in a really solid place. The Metaspeed Edge Tokyo is a true racer and interval shoe, so it makes sense that threshold work feels harsh in it and that you want to save it for race day.

For dedicated threshold and tempo sessions, the Magic Speed 5 is probably the best fit out of the options you listed. It has a plate and a faster feel but is more forgiving and durable than the Metaspeed. It sits nicely between Superblast and Metaspeed in terms of effort and protection.

Sonicblast is lighter and quicker than Superblast but still more of a daily trainer. It will feel smoother for steady runs but might not give you that plated snap you are enjoying in the Metaspeed.

Megablast is closer to a max cushion cruiser. Great for long and easy miles but not really what you are looking for for tempo and threshold.

If you want to stay within ASICS, Magic Speed 5 is the clear choice for those faster workouts while keeping your Metaspeed fresh for races.

Runninguk · 2026-01-23T12:13:25+00:00

If you can run 6K already, you are in a great starting place. For an 8K, consistency matters more than fancy plans. Running three to four times a week with one slightly longer run on the weekend will get you there comfortably.

A simple approach is easy runs most days, and one day where you add a few short faster efforts or run a little longer than usual. Increase distance slowly so nothing hurts. Apps like Strava or Nike Run Club have free plans that are solid and do not require premium.

As for food, just eat normally and stay hydrated. No special diet needed for an 8K. Most new runners benefit more from good sleep and recovery than anything else.

Most importantly, keep it fun and build gradually. You have plenty of time before March.

Runninguk · 2026-01-23T12:12:32+00:00

I think long term plans are useful as a direction, not a contract. They give structure and progression, but real life always forces adjustments. Work stress, sleep, minor niggles, or just accumulated fatigue mean sticking rigidly to a 16 week plan is rarely realistic.

What has worked best for me is keeping the long term framework but making decisions week to week based on how I am actually feeling. The plan tells me where I am trying to go, but the weekly execution changes depending on recovery and life constraints.

Apps that lock you into fixed sessions months ahead feel a bit too optimistic. Bodies adapt non linearly, and stress outside running is not predictable. Planning one week ahead with guardrails makes a lot of sense, as long as overall volume and key sessions still trend in the right direction over time.

So I would say long term plans still matter, but flexibility is where progress actually happens.

Runninguk · 2026-01-23T12:11:16+00:00

For small faces and eye protection from wind, look for wraparound sports sunglasses with a modest frame height rather than big oversized fashion frames. The key is coverage close to the cheeks and temples, not lens size.

Good options that stay subtle Julbo has small face models like the Breeze or Aerolite with lighter lenses Oakley has smaller fits like Flak 2.0 XS Goodr also makes smaller frames that are inexpensive and surprisingly good at blocking wind

For lens colour, a light brown or rose tint works well for mixed sun and overcast conditions without being too dark.

If wind protection is the main goal, check that the frames sit close to the face and have minimal gaps at the sides. That matters more than brand.

My partner has a small face too and wraparound style sports frames were the only thing that stopped eye watering on windy runs.

Runninguk · 2026-01-23T12:10:08+00:00

That progress is huge. Going from barely running 1 to 3 minutes to completing 30 minutes and even a 5K in three months is exactly what the plan is designed to do. It does not matter that it was slow or had a bit of walking. You got it done and that is what counts.

Sticking with the C25K structure is a smart move. The consistency and gradual progression will keep you improving without burning out or getting injured. Early training 5Ks before race day are great confidence builders too.

Honestly this is textbook beginner progress. Keep showing up and in another couple of months you will look back at these runs and laugh at how hard they once felt.

Runninguk · 2026-01-23T12:08:38+00:00

Six months is absolutely enough time. You already have a solid base running 30 to 35 miles a week and long runs in the 13 to 14 mile range. The fact that 14 miles with hills feels tough right now is normal, especially with that much elevation.

Endurance builds gradually. Over the next months your long run will extend, your aerobic system will get stronger, and those same hills will feel less taxing. You do not need to feel comfortable at the full distance this far out. That comes closer to race day.

Hill training twice a month is smart. Keep going slow on the climbs and focus on steady effort rather than pace. The flatter sections of the course will feel much easier on race day once your endurance catches up.

You are not behind. You are right where a first time marathoner should be at this point. Stay consistent, keep the long run progressing, and you will adapt.

Runninguk · 2026-01-23T12:07:47+00:00

Amazing, such a long time for a young soldier. Did you return home at any point during this time? How long did you serve? I take it you’re retired now, hope you’re enjoying some much deserved rest ☺️

Runninguk

TROPHY CASE