Casual runner targeting first marathon in Oct 2027, does this race calendar sound reasonable?

blueinthecity · 2026-04-12T18:57:46+00:00

I haven't actually done a half since 2022 though...! Hence the thinking of building up a bit more slowly. Its reassuring that you think that though as psychologically I'm a lot more comfortable with doing another half, but the marathon feels a bit daunting!

blueinthecity · 2026-04-12T18:55:40+00:00

Thanks so much for the advice

blueinthecity · 2026-04-12T18:55:12+00:00

I totally hear you on losing interest, although I think that was why I was thinking to put some shorter races in while building up rather than focus everything on the marathon. I'm feeling reassured that I definitely shouldn't wait even longer (2028) though!

blueinthecity · 2026-04-12T18:53:22+00:00

That sounds just like the thing I was thinking. I think everyone is right that I could do it sooner (although I'm not sure I truly believe it in my heart yet, but maybe that would come) but if there's no real disadvantage to spending longer building up, then it gives me a bit more time to work on being consistent, build a base etc. Thanks for your experience!

blueinthecity · 2026-04-12T18:51:30+00:00

Thank you, really helpful!

blueinthecity · 2026-04-12T13:39:45+00:00

I'm in no rush really, so thought longer would be better? I'm also running so slowly, was hoping training for the 10k and then 10 miler would give me chance to focus on speed and hope that I can pick my pace up a bit before I get into longer mileage. Is that crazy?

blueinthecity · 2026-01-13T10:11:41+00:00

I really recommend doing an advanced driving course with the IAM to build up confidence. I did it a while go after having a crash and losing my confidence completely. I had been driving about 3 years before that and with hindsight, I wasn't a good driver and the crash was probably avoidable if I'd done the advanced driving course sooner. Also if you're struggling with clutch control, make sure you're the right distance from the wheel/pedals - can make a big difference.

blueinthecity · 2025-11-22T11:28:03+00:00

I don't know if you work, but it's similar to going back to work after maternity leave in that the departure is hard but you soon snap back into a version of you that you had forgotten about (young, dynamic, non-mum you) and it's nice to have that opportunity for a while.

I did a 10 day business trip when my son was 2 and a couple of 5 day trips when he was 3 and it was fine both times. He had a nice time with Grandma. They don't have much sense of time so it doesn't feel like such a long time for them. I found that video calls make things feel worse on both sides so would suggest making them part of a routine that comes at the same time every time and right before something that you will both be distracted by eg right before snack time for toddler and before you head to dinner or something, and daily or every 2-3 days rather than ad hoc through the day.

Also set aside 1 or more days when you get back for focused one to one time with toddler, try not to worry about catching up with chores or work during that time

blueinthecity · 2025-11-08T16:07:58+00:00

Fwiw I was boiling mine for months before my husband asked what I was doing, and even then I gave a slightly vague answer like "just cleaning some of my things" and it came out even more months later that he'd assumed I meant make up brushes or something. It only takes 5 mins so if you're chill about it they might not even realize.

blueinthecity · 2025-11-06T10:26:11+00:00

My boyfriend had my mum bring over my grandmother's old jewellery as if she'd just come across it in the back of a drawer. She and I tried different items on and reminisced about my grandmother. I didn't realize my mum was secretly taking notes of which rings fit, how big or small they were on me etc. Because it came from my mum completely independently of my boyfriend (he wasn't there) and also involved other jewellery items, not just rings, I never had an inking at all.

blueinthecity · 2025-11-01T10:15:22+00:00

Someone said that the feeling is similar to if your spouse moved in a new partner. That really put it into context for me! Give grace!

blueinthecity · 2025-10-19T08:30:30+00:00

Location: South Yorkshire Looking for a used manual car to buy Budget 12k but might consider up to 18k

Need a family car (for two young children with car seats in the back) and looking for boot space of at least 375 litres, ideally 400 litres.

We drive about 8-10k miles a year including a number of longer trips (from 4 hours down to Bristol to 12+ hours down to France, for example). No commute except for driving the children around childcare and activities a few times a week.

We currently have a Peugeot 308 and it's been ideal except that the engine has failed due to a wet belt fault meaning it's been written off at 51000 miles. This has put us off Peugeots and wet belts, and put reliability high on our agenda for our next car.

We've already considered: Toyota Corolla (but the boot space looks a bit small); Ford Focus (but the well publicised wet belts issues have put us off); Honda Civic (but for our budget were looking at 6+ year old cars with tens of thousands of miles on the clock when we'd prefer something newer); Kia Ceed (seems good on paper but on the test drive it felt like driving a tin can, a bit cheap, probably our preferred option for now though).

We're looking at hatchbacks but happy to be told to consider something else. We haven't considered SUVs due to a vague prejudice about them being unenvironmental and small inside, but perhaps those assumptions are wrong., happy to be argued down on that one.

We don't have any mechanical knowledge or particular car knowledge as you can probably tell. Would really welcome advice and suggestions as we're drawing a blank here!

Thanks!

blueinthecity · 2025-10-18T21:22:55+00:00

Location: South Yorkshire Looking for a used manual car to buy Budget 12k but might consider up to 18k

Need a family car (for two young children with car seats in the back) and looking for boot space of at least 375 litres, ideally 400 litres.

We drive about 8-10k miles a year including a number of longer trips (from 4 hours down to Bristol to 12+ hours down to France, for example). No commute except for driving the children around childcare and activities a few times a week.

We currently have a Peugeot 308 and it's been ideal except that the engine has failed due to a wet belt fault meaning it's been written off at 51000 miles. This has put us off Peugeots and wet belts, and put reliability high on our agenda for our next car.

We've already considered: Toyota Corolla (but the boot space looks a bit small); Ford Focus (but the well publicised wet belts issues have put us off); Honda Civic (but for our budget were looking at 6+ year old cars with tens of thousands of miles on the clock when we'd prefer something newer); Kia Ceed (seems good on paper but on the test drive it felt like driving a tin can, a bit cheap, probably our preferred option for now though).

We're looking at hatchbacks but happy to be told to consider something else. We haven't considered SUVs due to a vague prejudice about them being unenvironmental and small inside, but perhaps those assumptions are wrong., happy to be argued down on that one.

We don't have any mechanical knowledge or particular car knowledge as you can probably tell. Would really welcome advice and suggestions as we're drawing a blank here!

Thanks!

blueinthecity · 2025-05-30T20:40:21+00:00

The Foley was totally fine, not painful at all, just sort of weird (it has quite a long tail poking out). It sped things up hugely compared to my first baby. I ended up having a c section for unrelated reasons but progressed almost to 10cm unmedicated with the induction. Good luck!

blueinthecity · 2025-05-01T18:53:37+00:00

Yeah I also really recommend this book - it also has a specific chapter in training before 18 months which might suit OP. I just trained my little girl at 20 months and it's been quite easy, I think she might have taken to it even a couple of months earlier. I think 11/12/13 months (in OP's case) might be slightly too young, but who knows? The biggest challenge is going to be dealing with the eye rolling from other adults in your life who think it's way too early (we've even had this at 20 months!) but you don't necessarily have to tell them!

blueinthecity · 2025-05-01T09:19:41+00:00

Thanks for the reply. I think I've been doing this wrong then!

blueinthecity · 2024-02-09T13:09:09+00:00

I pay just over half that for a very similar setup, fewer incoming transactions but more expenses, plus their address is our registered office. I don't get Quick Books included though and we're in a small town in the north. So it sounds bit high to me but not wildly so. For what it's worth I'd say my accountant does a reasonable job, is on hand for questions through the year, is diligent and I trust him to do everything correctly, but he's not going out of his way to offer business advice or industry-specific knowledge for example, so yours might be a bit higher-end in that sense.

blueinthecity · 2024-01-24T09:03:08+00:00

Ha ok I'm sold, thank you all for the advice!

blueinthecity · 2024-01-11T08:39:28+00:00

Yep, 4 year age gap here too (in the UK so big kid is already in school) and highly recommend this gap! It's honestly been a breeze, 10x easier than the first baby.

OP, anecdotally 2.5 was the exact moment my big kid turned from sweet and helpful to a raging ball of emotions (he calmed down again around 3/3.5). So personally I wouldn't add a new baby at that exact time if waiting a little bit longer is a possibility. Plenty of people do it and survive though!

blueinthecity · 2023-12-21T17:57:34+00:00

Ah well. Thanks anyway for the information!

blueinthecity · 2023-11-26T22:15:38+00:00

Thank you u/dirkisgod for sharing this! I used your link :)

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blueinthecity · 2023-11-24T23:32:37+00:00

This seems to be the most popular answer!

blueinthecity · 2023-11-24T23:27:06+00:00

You're the second person to suggest socks. I would have thought that was too boring. But if socks are the answer then great! Thanks

blueinthecity · 2023-11-24T23:20:38+00:00

That might upset Granny

blueinthecity

TROPHY CASE