Mo’s Month in Running – September ’23

Okay, so let’s jump straight to the point. The last two months have been all about building up to a half marathon PB – and if you follow me on Instagram or have listened to the podcast, you will know that I did get that PB at the Copenhagen Half Marathon. A massive PB that I couldn’t be prouder of. Despite missing the chip time I aimed for, I left the course feeling a sense of accomplishment, as you should with every race. 

That feeling, however, has now been replaced with post-race blues, which normally follow the high of getting a PB. I’ve hit the purgatory between finishing a race and deciding what my next challenge should be. But in the meantime, and as always, I’ll go through the motions and just enjoy not having a target until one pops up. 

September is a great month for that. As the seasons change and the weather adjusts, I’ve found myself figuring out my layering, conjuring willpower I forgot I had to go out to run in the rain, and just enjoying the fact that if I’m not training for anything and don’t feel like running that day, I don’t particularly have to. 

My biggest learnings from September:

• Don’t wear too many layers at the slightest hint of cold. Your body will warm up very soon once you start running.
• If you don’t feel like running, don’t do it by force – unless you’re training for something.
• 99 times out of a hundred, even if you don’t feel like running in the rain, you will feel infinitely better for having done it.

What’s next for me?

Well, I will be running the New York City Marathon this year for the first time. I can’t wait to see the city on foot and have what’s due to be an incredible experience. I won’t be aiming for a time and plan to soak up all the vibes that New York has to offer. But after that, only time will tell what challenge I decide to take on.