GYM GIRLS LOCKER ROOM - Normalising Slow Running, Being Single at 30 & Sobriety with Jenny Mannion (@jennyyyy_fit)

Episode Date: February 10, 2026

S3 EP2 – Normalising Slow Running, Being Single at 30 & Sobriety with Jenny Mannion (@jennyyyy_fit)Running doesn’t have to be fast to be powerful and Jenny Mannion is here to change the way we think about pace, progress, and purpose.Founder of Runners and Stunners, a community created to make running more inclusive and supportive for women, Jenny shares her journey from weight training to running, and how community, mindset, and mental health shaped her love for the sport.In this episode, we talk about:* Why not every run has to be fast to be FANTASTIC* Being single, independent and fighting comparison in your 30s* Jenny’s experience almost DNF-ing New York Marathon* Sobriety and how it can impactsyour relationship with fitness and yourself* Casually signing up for a 50K ultra marathon?!* Normalizing slow running and focusing on YOUR pace* Community and friendships being the KEY to a sustainable healthy lifestyle* Female safety, confidence, and how to run in WinterJenny reminds us that the training journey matters more than race day, that slower runners belong just as much as anyone else, and that personal achievements are never defined by pace.🎧 New episodes every Tuesday
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As slower runners, we shouldn't not get to experience the same as others just because our pace is a little bit slow. The run club has gone viral on social media. So we went from like one week we had 10 and the next week we had 150. That is insane. You know, I set something up that was needed at the right time. I just didn't really know that's what I was doing. I read last year is 72% of women change their running habits during winter. but I definitely think we need more like spaces for women that are just like runners and stunners, you know?

I feel like people could hit their goals every time they tried, right? But like it just doesn't make for an interesting story. Hello and welcome back to the Jim Girls Lockerun podcast hosted by me, Sydney Cassidy. Today, guys, we have got an exciting episode. But before we start, I've got this like idea for a new segment which we're going to call Sid Session. Let me know how you guys find it. Always love a little bit of feedback. You can comment it on Spotify.

or let us know on YouTube if you're watching there. But basically I'm just going to let you know what I'm up to because we all know that I love to do a little bit of this, a little bit of that and everything in between. I'm actually being trained by my friend Georgie, who if you follow me, you'll know that I met her at a run club in January. But she's a coach. And it's actually my first time being coached by anybody.

Usually I have a strong aversion to being told what to do. So I've kind of always trained myself for the part. four years but I think we're trying to really lock into this training block and see how fast, how speedy I can get and how strong. So this session that I've got coming up today, which I'm going to be doing after the podcast episode, we've got back squats, remaining and deadlift, lying down, hamstring curl, glute, hip thrust, dumbbell walking lunge and body weight lateral lunge. Ketabell swing, sloppish. Bloody out, Jesus, that was longer than I thought. It's been really interesting to do different training styles and yeah i will keep you guys posted got a bit of running at the moment got a little bit of

uh strength training and a lot of conditioning which is very new for me before we get into the episode if you do enjoy this episode and you do love the podcast and you would like us to keep bringing you more amazing fantastic guests then do us a favor and give our episode and our podcast a big five-star review on wherever platform you're listening to us on it really means the most today's guest is the queen of making running fun, friendly and refreshingly real. She's the founder of runners and stunners, a Lulu Lemon-powered community of over 22,000 women running through London, Bristol and Manchester at a slow but just as sexy 645 to 730 pace. In two years, she's run the New York, London and Sydney Marathons, quit her job to go full-time on social media and even kicked off her running

journey with a casual 50k. She's gone viral for saying what we're all thinking. Not every run has to be for us to be fantastic. Please welcome the unstoppable and absolutely stunning Jenny Mannion. How are you? How are you? Yeah, I'm good. How are you? Yeah, good, thank you.

We haven't really seen each other, well, we haven't spoken to each other since Sydney Marathon, where you absolutely crushed it. What was your P-B, you did? 4.55. So, after trying to get sub-5 a few times, I finally got it in Sydney, which I didn't think I would. How was your first marathon? It was good. I really enjoyed it.

And I had a lot of people say to me that, like, your first one, if you come out of it enjoying, then you've done pretty well because most people are, like, left a little bit like, what the hell? What just happened? But, I mean, the course was unreal, wasn't it? So it was, like, so scenic. I was just like, oh, my God, this is so amazing. It was so good.

It was, it was, it was amazing. And it's so cool to be there, like, the first year it's a major. I know, so special. And, like, it was gorgeous weather. They'd actually said, I don't know if you'd heard this, but they'd said that in Australia, they said that a week prior to that, it'd been the heaviest rainfall that they've received since 1997 in Australia. So we did pretty good because we had blue skies. Yeah, that's actually crazy.

I think I did see that as well because I was checking the weather app because I was praying that it didn't heat up. You know, I would actually have a heavy downfall rain than heat. And it was kind of a weird experience because, I mean, I haven't done too many races, but starting a race at we got up at like, what, four in the morning, I think it was, just because they are so worried about having some freak weather, yeah. To begin every episode, we always like to ask people what their training split is. So what are you currently doing at the moment? So at the moment, I'm kind of, like, since Sydney,

I've kind of just been doing a little bit of, like, just running when I feel like it. I've actually been doing some, like, classes just to, like, get moving because I wasn't feeling, like, running so much. but I would say my normal typical split is three runs a week, which is an easy run, a speed session and a long run, and then I aim for two strength sessions. Whether I always get them done is another thing, but I aim for two strength sessions that's like a round running, basically.

I think that's like, that's so good though that you say that because like I've certainly felt that where I'm saying to you earlier, like I'm a bit just all over the pace. And I think, you know, I look at someone like you who I just, see as like a runner through and through. And I assume that you're running all the time when in fact actually no people do have like peaks and troughs you know throughout their training schedule.

A hundred percent. I feel like after a marathon as well, I think it's like, because I even fall down this trap sometimes of comparing myself to other running influencers where I'm like, how are they running right now? Like straight after a marathon. But it is ultimately just not normal.

And it's actually quite normal to feel like I'm a little bit mashed for like two months after. Like I think my first marathon, I felt absolutely destroyed for like two months after I ran it, which is normal because like it's really been normalized. And sometimes I'm doing like, how are these people running? But it's just more ingrained in them.

But I definitely don't run all the time. In fact, recently it's not been a lot whatsoever, maybe like one or one easy run a week. I was exactly saying I was seeing people, about a week after back on runs, back on serious runs as well. And I was thinking like, oh, I'm not doing that. And then it's like, that's taking it away from the fact that I just did my goddamn first marathon, you know?

Like, so it's unhelpful. But yeah, good to see that you are like, you know, how we should be and just taking it as it comes. You didn't start out with running, did you? You started off differently. Could you explain that to the audience? Yeah. So I feel like I started my fitness journey, like, really when I was like early 20s.

I was traveling at the time and I was like, I really just want to be tiny. I was like, I just want to be like as slim as possible. So I used to go the gym and like walk on the stairmaster. Like constantly, I would just go in the gym and just walk on the stairmaster. And I, you know, I got quite slim, but I definitely wasn't fulfilled. And then I got inspired by like women in the gym, like lifting weights. Like there's a few women in the gym. And I was like, wow, they look amazing.

And people were like, no, they're lifting heavy weight. I was like, surely not. You've got to walk on the stair master to achieve a good physique, right? And then I fell into like the classic weight training. So like, you know, shoulders back, glutes. I was up, then I got kind of obsessed with making my ass as fat as possible. Yeah. Yeah, I went, I was down that route for a few years.

Like how much protein can eat? How fat can I ask get? How much can I deft lift? That's when I first discovered. do. I think it's every gym girl's origin story is trying to get like the biggest, juiciest glutes you possibly can. And you're like, oh wait, there's more to this. There's actually other things I could do. Yeah. And like literally. And I felt like, you know, I kind of got that lockdown here. And when I, when we came out of lockdown, I went back to the gym. I just wasn't feeling like, I had,

craved community and I just wasn't feeling like the same and I was really enjoying like going to like classes and training with other people so I started CrossFit. It's actually wild to me because you are someone who doesn't do things by halves because you I mean you started gym and then you go into CrossFit which I think CrossFit a lot of people for anybody that doesn't know CrossFit has I would say this isn't true but the sort of perception that everybody has is that CrossFit's like got this really high barrier to entry and that you have to be like super, super advanced. And for you to have gone in as a beginner, it is really impressive. And it's funny to me how you kind of went from that to then running,

which I can see why running would appeal to you so much because that running is for anybody. Running is so accessible. All you need is what a pair of trainers and just to get out the door. So how was that sort of experience going from one to the other? What did you notice within yourself? I think I found CrossFit like quite, I quite found CrossFit. quite intense. There's definitely like that level that you can go in as a beginner and the gym that I was going to at the time definitely like wasn't that. Like I'm not too serious when it comes to fitness. Like I'm not an athlete and it should be fun. I remember once one was like, you're not doing burpees fast enough. And obviously that's just one person right. So that's not the whole of CrossFit isn't

like that. But I just found running so much more fun and I found it way more fulfilling when I would hit longer distances because the first one I went on I just tried a 3K and then afterwards I signed up to a 50K Ultra like on the same day which is like literally so ridiculous

looking back I don't I don't know what I was thinking but I was in my head at the time I was like I'm either going to commit to CrossFit and like really go in and really try to learn all the skills or I'm going to start running but I wanted to like go all in with something

so I felt like signing up to the Ultra in my head was like a logical step. Naturally. Yeah. I was like, I'm going to sign up. So 50K Ultra. So like didn't even think half a marathon first. But I think I just enjoyed running so much more.

I liked being outside and I just found it less like daunting than CrossFit. That makes sense. I definitely started to find it daunting when I tried out run clubs and stuff like that. But I just enjoyed it so much more. Was this pre-running, um, running. hype the running explosion that we kind of see now or was that around that sort of time? Yeah. So I think I started really just before it. That summer, I think I was like, I went on my first run April 2020. And then I started documenting everything. And then I think we slowly started to

see this like real big like explosion of running on social media. I think I got in there at like a good moment. Yeah, definitely. I always say this. Like, I always say this. Like, I didn't realize at the time I was just going out and moving. I didn't necessarily realize that I was this niche of like a slow runner or an average runner or anything like that. But as soon as my videos started to do well, the internet was quickly like, you're actually really slow and you're terrible at this. And I was like, oh, again. Thanks so much, guys.

And then I like quickly fell into that category of like slow online runners, right? but I think I got in kind of just before that like it really exploded which is good for me yeah but it well first of all I'm like why do people even feel compelled to even write that down on a comment like thank you what are you doing here I would literally talk about that all day it's so weird it's so strange but second of all it's like you know the beauty of that is that actually there is it's kind of helped you see that there actually really is a place for that like I think online you really do lose sight of things quite easily and I think that's what's so incredibly likeable and relatable about you

is that actually for the rest of us that are just out here just trying to move our bodies a bit, actually we see a lot of ourselves in you rather than like the athletes that you see all over socials, you know? 100%. I think like I am the majority. I would say more so, you know, people like run more towards like my pace or even slower and most of us like I think online as well like I always say this like most of the people that were inspired by like do this full time like some of the people that are trying to run you know

20 minutes on their lunch break or 5k after work have full time jobs or kids or something like that so it's difficult to compare to those people right so like trying to get into your head as a newbie runner so you've signed up to this 50k on what a random evening was it just Just on a whim. It was on a whim. I actually inquired, like, with a CrossFit coach four days earlier. This girl I followed on Instagram for ages, and she was, like, really strong. And I, she never, I inquired for her to be my coach.

And she never responded for, like, five days. And on that, like, fourth day, I was like, fuck it. I'm just going to sign up to an ultra. And, like, I don't really know what it was in my head at the time that made me want to do that. but I knew that I knew that I just wanted to do something for myself. I just want to sign up to something fully commit and go all in. I was like, I'd gone sober that year as well and stuff. I'm not sober now, but I went through like a huge sober stint where I don't think I drank for like eight months.

And I just wanted to like change my life. In terms of like training plans and kind of like finding your way through that, like was that something, how did you navigate that? I initially actually got a coach. I used to sit next to this guy at work called Finn, who was like, he's like one of the youngest guys in the UK to have ran over 100 marathons. And I used to think he was like, I was like, I was like, you're just so weird.

Like, you are the weirdest person I've ever met because he ran a marathon once after work. And I was like, I just don't understand what you're doing. And his view on running has definitely like, shake the way I view running now because he thinks a lot of the same way is me. So I actually, he was starting out his running coaching business and I messaged him like, can you coach me for the 50K? And then after the 50K, that's when I started using runner essentially.

So runner saw me through the next marathons, but he actually coached me for the 50K. And you said that he had quite a lot of like the same sort of like thoughts and feelings about running. Like what were some of those like philosophies? I think it's like that it's just not that deep. Love. Yeah. It's like it's just not that deep. This sounds so ridiculous, but I always remember once he said something to me like, I was really stressed at work one day and I was like, aren't you stressed? And he referred to himself as like water as in like he just goes where, you know, like the world takes him basically and he's literally the most chilled out guy I've ever met and I'm actually quite stress, quite stress led. But like, just was like, it's just not that deep. Like just go out and move. Like,

it doesn't matter how long it takes and stuff like that, like just, like just run. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I'm fairly certain I saw you saying in an interview about how like you also try to not see it as like the 50K race. You kind of just really try to enjoy and embrace that journey along the way. The journey there is so much better than like the outcome because if I didn't sign up to that 50K, like my run club wouldn't exist. I wouldn't be doing this as a job.

I wouldn't have probably gone on to run, you know, have all these opportunities. And I know that's quite a unique stance that not everyone who signed up to a 50K is going to quit their job and become a running influencer. But you do learn like so much about yourself on the journey. And I think like the actual 50K landed on like the hottest day of the year. And it was a nightmare. But like the training block for that, like the five months where you just literally put yourself first, I think that it's about that.

not the outcome on the day, if that makes any sense? No, 100%. You know, that's something I actually learned only recently because when I was doing the marathon training block, running on a Sunday evening in the pissing rain by myself, that was really like where I was able to see, like, what I was made of. And I can totally understand that, like, that journey is actually where you get all that growth and take all those learnings and, you know, all that sort of thing.

The training is like, I actually saw this guy on TikTok. the other day say like you know you know people do these videos like i just ran 50k with no training and like he was like i actually respect the people who do the training more because the training is so much harder than the actual day like yeah all the time the day won't go your way but all those training ones like i remember the first time i ran 30k i was like hanging off traffic lights like dying be there yep yeah you know like and i think like it's in those moments that you see the growth not so much on the day. I think the day is a celebration of the journey that you've just been on over the past, you know, four, three, however long your training block is, the, if that makes

sense. Yeah, no, 100%. And like, and like going back to what you were saying, I know you touched on it briefly about like being sober and like switching lifestyles. Like, that's something I find also really refreshing as someone who was also a huge party girl. And kind of like traded it off. Yeah, it'd be really like lovely if you could just like speak a little bit. more about that because I think it's something that a lot of people will see gym influences, fitness influences and think like you, this is your whole entire life or that you haven't gone through these parts of your life where you've probably not been so healthy or done, I'm not saying you did, but I'm speaking more on myself, destructive things. But yeah,

so I think I think that's really refreshing that you talk about that. So like, yeah, how did running help or kind of work in with that sort of thing? It gave me a purpose that wasn't, like, destroying my life every Saturday night. My real party phase, like, was in, like, lockdown. Like, I was drinking a lot in lockdown and, like, just really being, like, self-destructive. Like, on the weekends, like, just partying with my housemates. And it was actually just looking back, like, slightly ridiculous. But I think I lost that purpose in the gym.

And then I went through grief in lockdown because my stepdad passed away. And I was suffering, like, such bad anxiety at the time. And I don't you always see like when people go through something, they can go one way or the other. Like I could have gone further down the rabbit hole of like partying. When it happened, I was like, nope, I'm changing my life. Like, and like I just went sober pretty much not so long after that.

And I still do now like huge sober phases. Because I just think it, I just feel like I have my life together. lot more when I'm not going out every weekend. But I, and I think that time, like, what's the way to say this? I think I had a bad relationship with alcohol before. Whereas now, it's like, if I go out and drink, it's just like, I just drink and dance and I'm fine. But I think, like, having that that time in my life where I wasn't drinking for such a long period, like, has allowed me to be where I am now. Yeah, absolutely. You know, to me. to it. Yeah, no, definitely. Me and my friend Alex, we always joke about like, you know, people that are like

seriously into fitness. Like a lot of them are like fighting demons and how it can be like a really healthy way to kind of like process emotions. And I think like for me, whenever I was in these like, you know, just self-destructive like partying sort of phases of my life, I was kind of just like looking for something and that's kind of what I used as like a coping mechanism. And then when you make that switch to fitness, it can really just kind of completely fill that void that you have. And it can be really helpful. And it offers people a lot of like healing in those moments.

And I think you hear a lot of people talk about like going through grief, going through hardships and then sort of discovering this whole fitness journey, which I think is lovely. Yeah, 100%. And it's, you know, definitely a better coping mechanism than like, partying all the time and like I initially remember I always think it's quite cheesy saying because I'm not really like a deep or cheesy person but I remember in like my first 50k training block like you know on each long room when I was hitting a distance I never had I when I was struggling I always in my brain go back to the girl that was like being anxious and like partying all the time and like in those moments I was like I'm going to take over the world like do you know what I mean like yeah yeah it's like you have like such a high on some of those and I'm like, no, I can do this. I've just hit my longest run of 18K.

Like, I'm amazing. Do you know what I mean? So much more fulfilling than drinking loads of red wine. Yeah. I mean, and also everything in moderation, like totally if you do want to, it's nice that you've got a balance now and that you're like, you know what I can do? I can dip my toe in, dip out.

But also, like, running, I don't know if you find this. I find running when I've had a drink like the night before. It feels like you're running against a brick wall. Like I find it so hard to do. So for me, the two just like won't even go together. Yeah. I rarely drink before like actually running or if I'm in like, if I'm deep in a training block like when those 30K runs are up like the start of this year when I was training

for London, I think I drank like once in five months. Whereas at the moment I'm not trained for anything. So I've definitely been out a little bit more. But I feel it in my brain. I don't know if this is like a countrywide or like worldwide thing. But certainly in my area. back home for Christmas. They do a park run

on Christmas Day. And like doing that run, obviously I'm just doing it for fun and I do it like and I dress up. But like doing that after an evening of drinking is like hell and horror. I'm literally like, this is so hard. How do people do both?

So funny. I've never done one but I have seen it. But everyone's in the same boat and I can imagine it's actually just quite funny. It's just a laugh. Like the guy who was doing the instructions Like he like sings it in a Christmas carol style And I think that's just like It's just like community isn't it Which is like what it's all about

Which is what I love about running Speaking of community How did like the whole runners and stunners Things start because I'm just dying to know When I was first getting into running I like I missed a community element of CrossFit So I actually started to go to run clubs Like when I started running I didn't know

That I was fast or slow I just ran but I didn't know like, you know, how fast I was like running in comparison to other people because I think I followed like a couple of mates on Strava and like maybe like one or two running influencers. So I was going to some London run clubs and like every week I was like left behind or like just not with the group. And I was like, what's wrong with me? I remember one week I kept up. Someone was like, where are you from? And I was like, oh, like, and I was like, Jesus like, what the hell is actually wrong with me?

And I couldn't understand like, I was like, what is going on in comparison to these other people? And then when my content started to do well, people were always referring back to like my pace. They're like, oh, I really relate to your pace and stuff. And I was like, oh, that's interesting. And I started to go on some runs with some friends.

And I was like, this is like so wholesome. I really enjoy it. And I was like, everyone should be able to go on runs with friends. So I actually set up a Facebook community for women to meet up with each other around the country and just go and runs together. That was like, yeah, initially the idea. It was actually inspired by yours and Holly Brooks's like Facebook communities. I was like, I'll set up something similar that's like, you know, people can meet up. They can go on runs and make friends basically because that's just so wholesome.

And I kind of wanted to do a run club, but I was like cringing out. And then I posted a story once that was just like, you know, effort. Like, you know, guys, I'm going to, I've got this 20K run next week. Does anyone want to join? Like, join a WhatsApp, join this WhatsApp chat. I think I remember got like 30 people in the WhatsApp chat and I was like, I've made it. This is it. Literally frigging made it.

Run it. I was, I've still got like a video of me dancing in my living room at that moment. I got 30 people in the chat. And we did, I run, the first runners and stunners as well, it was. I initially called it girls that run. They were creative. And, you know, great name. And we, there was, I think there was about 10 of us.

And we ran 20K together on like a Saturday, Saturday morning. I think it was like the start of July 23. And I enjoyed it. So I was like, oh, I'll do one next week. But I never saw it as like a serious, like, it's not going to be anything. It's just that I just want to run with some girls, basically. So I did Bon the week after And then I kind of

I kind of just carried it on And then I think six weeks in Like the run club Has gone viral on social media So we went from like 10 people to 150 people showing up Showing up Yeah we literally went

One week we had 10 And the next week we had 150 That is insane Oh my God I don't know what like I remember I was looking at the numbers on Strava And I was like, I don't know what to do. Is this legal?

What the hell? Like, literally, and I like started reaching out to people in the running communities that ask them for like help and stuff like that. And then from there, it's just kind of being on like an upward, you know, growth, basically. Yeah, that's how it initially started. It's incredible. There's such a presence, like, across the world it seems. It seems like wherever you go, you see, what do you call them, your stuner?

the sun is yeah yeah yeah which I love it's it's it's amazing and so you've just you now have so you started stuff in London and then you now got Bristol and man yeah yeah and Manchester as well now so I like when I was I think the first year because I remember um someone was asking me like what do you want to do with this like what do you want to do and I was like I don't really know and um I remember thinking once on the train I always have my like thought process as well I'm looking out of train windows. I was like, how cool would it be to just have like groups of stunners just running everywhere because I feel like this was like needed.

You know, I set something up that was needed at the right time. I just didn't really know that's what I was doing. Yeah. And so I set the goal of like expanding around the country, which is still the goal. It's definitely been more difficult growing it than what I anticipated it would be. But I think that's just part of growing something, right? But yeah, in Bristol and Manchester now, I've actually been in Bristol for over a year.

Manchester, we launched this year, and that's bi-weekly now as well. So I'm hoping to grow it further. Like, the way I kind of view it is like, I would love it to be along the same lines as like park run, which I know is like an extreme thing to say. But I definitely think we need more like spaces for women that are just like runners and stunners, you know?

Oh my God. No, absolutely put it out of that. I mean, like, I think, certainly I've even felt going into like those of autumn winter months that's where I feel me as like an individual that would want to go to these sorts of things I really feel that there's a need for it like suddenly it's like oh okay well it's getting it's getting dark at 4pm okay so when am I going to you know like your everyday person who's working a corporate job like when are they going to feel safe enough to run outside and it is a really real like worry and concern to have you know it's not

being over the top about it. So yeah, I think it's lovely that you're setting up those sorts of things. Thank you. And yeah, you're right. It's like I read last year is 72% of women change their running habits during winter, which like is crazy. I could believe that. I could seriously believe that, yeah.

I would believe it if it was more. Like genuinely I would believe it if it was more. And obviously, you know, I've kind of got the privilege to run in the day. But a lot of, you know, people, like, don't have that. You're now like a Lulu Lemon ambassador and you kind of, they have quite a big presence within your run club as well, if I'm correct. Yeah. How did that feel, how did that feel kind of getting noticed by, like, such a big brand? Yeah, you know, it was, they were like one of the first brands to ever, like, gift me. I actually met one of the girls in CrossFit and she was like, come down and get, like, some leggings.

And I was like, my God, three leggings. Like, this is it. celebrity. And they actually, they reached out to me really early on. So in like October 23, when things had just started to like kind of take off with runners and stunners and, you know, they were asking like, what do you want to do? And I was like, I don't know what I'm doing, to be honest. I definitely pined after it for the following year. So it was like in talks for like a year. And then I got it, which I felt really buzzing because that that was like, as a creator, I feel like there's certain brands that you really, really want right. And I felt like it just

fitted in so well to my page because I just wear it all the time anyway. And I know that they like work with communities and stuff like that, which I really like. And they work with such a diverse range of communities. I always think it's like lovely to see, because I recognize it along my own journey and I can hear it so kind of loudly. But sometimes these things, they find their way to you. Like, you know, the fact that like you didn't really know what you were doing with the whole run club and it kind of just emerged as this sort of thing and the fact that they were the first to gift you, it's like, it's just all supposed to come together the way it did, which is lovely. Yeah, 100%. I remember that was like a huge goal of mine in 2024 was like to get that.

So getting it felt really good. And I know that it's a popular want of running creators. Yeah, I do feel very lucky to be able to work with them. And, you know, like to be able to do this full time. I would not be able to put the work into runners and stunners if I still had a full time job because it's a lot. Yeah, no, no, it's amazing. I'd love to talk about, because we've kind of spoken about, like, all the things you've done and, like, how impressive it is to just kind of send it and, like, do these amazing achievements. But certainly with, like, your New York Marathon, I think that's a really, like, the story I'm sure you're about to tell, like, the way that that race went for you really shows, like, a tested character and how,

I just think it's really impressive that you kind of persevered with it. So would you mind explaining how that race? was because I think there's a lot of like lessons to sort of take from that. When I was training for New York, I think I was in the, wasn't I in the process at the time of like leaving my job and I think I was quite stressed. I actually picked up an injury in like the September. The race was in November, which is, you know, quite a common thing for runners to do in marathon training blocks and I started running again and felt fine. I wasn't like the fittest I'd ever been but I got the guests to run it

from a physio, so went out to New York. I had no idea how the day was going to go, but I was like, I'll just run, walk it. So I put in a plan to run 4K and then walk for two minutes throughout the race, basically. And I was like, just take it, take it all in. And I remember it like about 23K. I was like, oh, like things are starting to not feel like so great.

And then at 27, I was like fully walking. walking and I was like I don't I was in pain and I was like I really don't know how I'm going to finish this. So I really started to get worked up I think as well when it's not only that you've got like not that there was any pressure on me from anyone but I was like my God I don't know what to do like I knew there was people like you know watching on social media I was there of a brand I was like so I got myself like really worked up on like the right thing to do also because I don't want to tell people to push through an injury. So I think choosing the right, like my headspace in that moment was like,

what the hell do I do? But I was also aware that I was running the New York marathon and it was a once in a lifetime opportunity and I didn't want a DNF. So I actually took myself off the course at 27K and sat on someone's steps. It's like someone from the house was going to come out and give me water. And I rang someone from runner and said, I don't think I can do it. I feel really bad. They were like, you know, there's no pressure on us,

just get an Uber back to us now. And getting an Uber. I actually got up Uber on my phone and I was like, I'm DNF in. I need to go back. And I rang my friend who also told me like, you know, just do what feels right, basically. I rang my like tough love friend. We've all got the one, right?

And then I sat on the step for a second to try and like, calm myself down. And the audience was playing like, I'd never like, man, I feel like a woman was playing. and I was like, I don't want to miss this. So I'm just going to go on the course and walk to 30K. And I think my friend messaged me to say he was at like 32. He was like, I'm that 32K.

Just get here. Just get here. When I got there, he wasn't there. I was like hyperventilated. Because I was limping. It wasn't like even a walk. It was a limp for context. My Straber at the time, like some of my kilometer splits,

were like 18 minutes per kilometer and the average walking pace is 12 minutes. So you can see like I was shuffling shuffling along. It was like outrageous and I think when you're on your feet

for so long in pain like you just start to lose your head. I was pulling myself off the course probably like every K but I just knew when I'd hit 32 I was like I can't not finish this. I didn't have the time

up on my watch so I didn't know how long I was actually out there. How long by 302K do you actually think you'd been on your feet for? Oh my God. I remember like, I would say what? Six hours, maybe. Because the whole thing took me like eight, it was eight hours and six minutes.

Such a long time. I was just hysterical. Like, I finished in the dark. Everyone from runner, well, the other like runner ambassadors. probably in bed they'd finished six hours I can do someone from Runner

actually waited at the finish line for me and she like put me in a tux because there wasn't any other Uber because there was a tuk to come there's this girls who works at Runner and we got in a Tuck

and the guy was like it's $17 per minute and I've just gone to like the most traumatic eight hours of my life and this guy had like flow rider on and was spinning us around in circles in this talk talk and I was just like I need to go to bed like just oh bless you but what an

achievement though I feel like you know that really shows some mental resilience to be on your feet experiencing it like that for eight hours I think that's yeah I think it's like a story to tell like when I look back yeah I've got I've got a frame up there on my um my wall with like my New York Strava mapping and stuff like that because I feel like you know I feel like people could hit their goals every time they tried right but like it just doesn't make for an interesting story

like this is it it's like when I you know if I had grandkids I'll be like yeah but I ran the like I actually wanted sub five but I ran it in eight hours and you know I know that you know on social media and stuff like that like eight hours is deemed like

you know slightly ridiculous but like there was people finishing around me. Yeah, so I was going to say that. What was, what, if you can actually recall, I don't know if you were too much, like, it just glazed over, but like, um, were, where, were there many people? Because I think that's something that, you know, would put a lot of people off from even just trying because they'd think, oh, well, no, like, I'm going to be too slow that everyone was going to have finished around me, you know, I'm going to have to walk it.

But did you actually see people around you? doing the same as you? The course wasn't like terribly busy but I think at this point as well like I was walking and everyone around me was walking I know the New York Marathon doesn't have a cough like London

yeah so it's like there was a lot of people around me walking as well so it made me feel like not as what's the word like it was fine but yeah there was people finishing around me I was like you know towards the bottom of finishers

obviously I think I was like the seventh sixth slowest UK runner to finish. But there's still, you know, there's still people after. Exactly. Also, it's like, so what? So what?

Like, I did the damn thing. It does matter, you know? And like, I think these stories are more common than what we actually see because it's common for people to like get injured or have a really bad day. But we just don't see those stories on social media

because social media tends to push the best if that makes sense. You're always going to see the best of the best. But I think like these stories are actually way more common than what we probably see. Yeah, no, absolutely. And like what would you, what would you say is like the most important advice you give for people that are like that slower runner that is just like completely daunted by like the idea of running or racing? I'm doing that in quotation marks. You know, just like wanting to experience it but kind of scared to take that push.

and that leap. I would say that they're like truly not alone. Like I think it's, you know, when we, I'm chronically online, everyone may not be, but you kind of see all like speedy runners and stuff online. But if you go down to any park run, any race, you go and watch the London Marathon, you're going to see hundreds, thousands of people

from different backgrounds, different ages, different body types, running, walking at many different paces. It's just not in your face. as much as like speedy people, but it's like if they're running at, let's say, you know, an eight, nine minute kilometre, there's thousands of others, there's thousands of others doing the same thing as well. Like, I don't know if you've ever spectated in London. I did it this year, but I watched it last year and we stayed out for some of the like slower runners and I put a video on my TikTok like, you know, just to show you that there's people that walk at

these things and there's just thousands of people walking. and it's just isn't shown in your face. And also, like, as I can say it before, right, it's just truly not that deep. Like, we shouldn't not experience these. Like, marathons are actually, like, amazing days. Like, they're such achievements. And as slower runners, we shouldn't not get to experience the same as others

just because our pace is a little bit slow. But another thing is a lot of the, especially, like, the majors And like, you know, since working in this job, like a lot of the people that work at London Marathon actually want to make it as inclusive as possible. So they actually like it when people do, you know, the six, seven hours because they want to make it for everyone, you know, from the elites to the people that are taking eight hours. Like, there is a space for everyone, you know. I also think for anyone that hasn't gone to just watch it, I highly recommend because I've watched my fair few. I've always been the friend that has supported. And I am a ball of emotions.

Like, I just find it such an inspiring day. The vibes are incredible, so high. I think it's just like a really special experience. You've been on socials for quite some time, haven't you? So when do you say you're chronically online? You mean it, which I love, because I kind of relate. Like, literally, years. I think I started, I actually had a blog and how.

school. Obsessed. Yeah. It's the weirdest. If anyone ever finds it, like, I'll get absolutely rins and have to leave the country. But like,

it was the weirdest. I used to write about what Taylor Swift wore at, fashion, at like, award shows. Love. The weirdest, the weirdest thing.

But, like, I started my fitness Instagram eight, nine years ago now. Wow. Yeah. So it's when I was, like, starting out in like my Stair Master phase.

I was, I started. I started posting on Instagram and that, but nothing ever came of it for like six, seven years. I didn't realize that it was also fitness related. I thought it was just like random stuff. I post quite a lot of memes in lockdown. I have like a set on TikTok that's like,

it's just a bit weird really, but like that was from lockdown. But yeah, I've been on socials for ages. How special? Yeah, I know. That like now you're, after like, spending so long working. or just kind of like orbiting, you know, contact creation that you're actually doing this full time. Like that's such an achievement. Yeah, 100%.

And like in my old job, I got to work with some creators. And I definitely saw that like all they were really doing was being themselves. There wasn't anything like, you know, they were just being themselves online. And I definitely took like inspo from them in the sense of like, I just need to like show more of my personality if that makes sense. So that definitely helped. Yeah. Well, I think you're someone that I think you do just radiate, like, authenticity. Like, you seem like, you seem like someone that is really comfortable being themselves.

Is that the case? Or is that something you've had to work towards? I would actually say that, like, I kind of have always been like that. I don't think it's like something that, because you know when people say, like, they've had to work at themselves. I think, like, like, I was, I've definitely. settled a little bit more now but I think I was just born like a loud mouth like love yeah like I'm quite confident like I even remember in school I was like myself there's never really been like a phase where I've really had to like work towards that if that makes sense um like I've kind of always been

like that feel free to say no but I saw like when you were discussing in a post about how you're kind of like super comfortable to be like self-employed in your like 20s to 30s no kids and I think that that's something that like a lot of people feel uncomfortable in and I just wondered if you could talk a little bit more about that and like that place in your life yeah no so I'm 32 now I'm 33 next year and I think like you know not not all women but I think a lot of women like may start like freaking out when they hit my age to be like oh I've not met like my husband or like I'm not like any close to having a baby or anything like that. And I genuinely in my life I've never experienced like a maternal instinct or had an urge to get married.

I don't know like why that is. But I've always just felt like there is more that I can do than like find a better half. Do you know what I mean? Like there's more that I can achieve. And I was in relationships like back. you know, back to back up until the age of like 26, 27. And I was like, actually, they're all doing my head in. I actually have enjoyed this time, like, alone.

Maybe gone, maybe on too far, like, that way, do you know what I mean? But I think, like, if something, like, happened, if I met someone, like, great, but I, like, really enjoy the fact that I'm, like, in my 30s, I live alone. I'm self-employed. Like, I'm just like, this is my time. but I equally think that like, what's the way to say this? I always think why that like even if we get in a relationship, we get married, like it doesn't mean security with that person.

So I think having your like own thing and your own life is so important. Especially like throughout my 20s. I've watched so many people like get cheated on, get broken up with. I've been convinced that some of my friends are like getting married. And they're like. End game. Yeah. Yeah, that their end game and stuff. like that and you see that like a lot of the time it isn't and i think for me it's always just been

like super important to just have my own life my own thing my own friends um rather than being like reliant on another person to make me happy but i do think maybe i've gone too far oh no stop no i mean to me it reads as though you're just like you said you you mentioned like better half but it seems like you're actually you are in this place where like you give yourself everything that you need and require. And do you think that the, do you think that that kind of independence and that like having your own friendships and things to do,

do you think that that's kind of the main factor that's kind of kept you so comfortable in a way where a lot of women wouldn't feel comfortable at this age in just like being single and that sort of thing? Because I think as well, I think it's also like there's also an element of like it's okay to, you know, want to be a mother and get married and like also like want to like want,

like want those things um but i think i just haven't like craved it so yeah i would say so it just comes of like time like i've had my like relationships a lot in my 20s and stuff like that and like none of them truly fulfilled me as much as like you know having my own thing and yeah someone should like add to your life not you know like and i found that most of my relationships just drained me. Yeah. And I mean, I've, I know I've seen, like, posts and I've heard people talk about, like, the power of, like, even female friendships and nurturing those, you know?

Like, the girlies, they really be doing amazing things. No man could ever compare. And we can't. You know, if you look at some of the stats now as well of, like, young women in comparison as young men, like, a lot more women are staying single and choosing not to have kids and do their own thing and stuff. So I'd be interested to see how that goes over the next year and stuff like that. You always see it on that. You know, those like really intense male podcasts. Yes. I do. I always like see the, you know, the stats that they read out on there and stuff like that.

But I think back in the day, we were kind of like relying on like a man to like, you know, buy a house with and like have all these things. Whereas now like we can, we actually, we don't need to put up with shit. Yeah, there's so much more independence, isn't there now. What's coming up for you next? Like what have you got goal-wise or training-wise? What's the plan? I'm actually training for Benadorn Half-Hatham. Right, that's so random. So rogue, I love. Like, there's a bit of a future. I'm like, actually Ben-a-Dorm-Half marathon, which my friends convinced me to sign up to in like February. So I'm in that now. And that's just to kind of keep me over ticking with running.

Just like a little bit of fun basically. So I'm training for that. And I really want to get more into ultra running next year. Okay. I was going to ask this actually. Yeah. I really want to do because I'm way more interested in distance than speed. Like I've got my sub five now.

Like I'm not like, no, I must get 4.45, 4.30. Like I'd be cool if I did. get me wrong. You know, everyone loves a PB, but I'm way more interested in, like, distance. So I would love to do 100K at some point next year. I have been iron one up in May because I have the London Marathon, which I'm actually running as part of runners and stunners. So we actually got... Yes, I remember you saying this. Amazing. So I'm going to offer to pace, like, a slower runner from my run club who wants support on their first marathon. I'm going to offer to pace someone in the London Marathon and hopefully use that as a training run for an Ultra in May, which sounds like

so ridiculous and stuff. It's bonkers, but it's also incredible. Also, I interrupted there. Could you just explain, because I interrupted, the London Marathon opportunity you've got with your own club, which is so cool. Yeah, so we've got community spots for runners and stunners, for first-time marathon runners to run the London Marathon, basically. I had to pick a group of girls to run it as part of like the community,

which is like so exciting and was one of my goals for next year to be able to do that. So at the start of next year, I'll be putting a lot into like those girls to like build them up to their first marathon and, you know, support them basically, which is like really cool to be able to like give back those opportunities to people that have been coming to the run club and supported me and stuff. So that's really cool basically. So I'm excited for that.

So if any of them wants a pacer, I'm going to offer to pace them. Obviously, at a pace that I can do and stuff. But yeah. Yeah, that's so cool. But yeah, with the ultra running, that's perhaps, well, I don't know, it seems that part of the appeal is just like that uncharted territory, you know. It's like kind of like, oh, can I do it? And it's kind of always with what you're saying about, like, pacing.

It just like always keeps it at a pace that you're happy with where you can like continue to enjoy it, you know? I'm on a high-rox training block right now and I'm like doing more speed more speedy runs and I'm just like don't I have to whereas I think I'm the same endurance is really appealing to me just because it's like

I don't know just to really meet yourself there yeah would be really cool the first obviously race I did was the 50K which is again ridiculous but the whole thing the whole race was 100 and obviously you can book on to do like 25 or 50

and I remember that day being like absolutely fascinated by the fact that people were doing what I'd just done twice. Like I really just couldn't wrap my head around it. And I think I've always in the back of my head been like, that's my like ultimate running goal is to run 100K. And I think because it absolutely terrifies me and I think this, I know this sounds so ridiculous and it is so ridiculous. But because I've done four marathons now and the speed thing doesn't interest me so much,

they don't scare me. It doesn't scare me anymore. And I want to do something that scares me. Which like, yeah, but I think after four, which it is totally scary. Marathons are scary, but I'm just not in that same. You know, like your first one, you probably had it right, that the couple of days before you're like,

cheer bricks, yeah. I think I could understand why ultra marathon running would really appeal to you, given everything you've kind of discussed in this conversation. because I've heard that the community is completely different to like the kind of like, yeah, sub-marathon running community. Like I've heard that the pit stops are just really relaxed and chilled out.

I think that would be so your vibe. I could just totally see you sat there like having a laugh, you know. Yeah, like it's way not like I think we had three pit stops on my 50K. Like I remember at 27K like I was sat having a cup of tea with like an elderly couple. what more could a girl ask for? Honestly. This is it, right? And it's just like, it's just not as deep.

It's like, you can just like take your time. There's, you know, I noticed a lot more, there was a lot more older people on my race and stuff like that. It was just way more like wholesome. And I find that like on some trail like races, that the community is just a little bit more wholesome, if that makes sense. So I'm definitely going to see test the waters in ultra running next year.

I'll come back to you after I've ran 100 to see and stuff. Like I'm obsessed of Emily Fares. I think she's so funny. Obsessed. Oh, obsessed. Love her. And she's like flipping what?

21, 22. For context, Emily's a content creator. You guys should definitely check her out. But she does insane distances. She actually told me that she, so she does like, yeah, 100K races. Kind of, I would dare I say like on the regular. But she was saying to me,

that she really, what she would love to be doing would be like 100, 200 mile races, but she just won't do that for now because it's too damaging on her body. But there will be a time where she does do it. I'm like, you are insane. You are literally insane. I was having this, I can't remember who I was having this conversation with this week,

but I was like, I was like, Emily's going to run 100 miles in the next couple of years. Like, I just know that I just feel like she is. I'm like interested to see how she's going to get on in her, like, ultra. journey, especially because she's, like, so young as well. I know. I know. Some of the races she does as well, like the elevation is so high.

She'll be just, like, climbing these, like, freaking mountains, like, you know, 50K into a race or something. Two things I actually do love about ultra-race is that I'm just like, that really pulls me in as a woman, you know, a girl that loves anything that's like pro-women is like, So women, people typically peak much later with ultra running, which I love. And then the other thing I love is that with, as the distance increases in these running races, the difference between men and women get smaller. Yeah, it seems like you know that. I said, yeah, I find that so amazing. I love that.

So I'm just like, okay, equal playing field. I like this. I think it's like in 100K races, I think it's like a lot of the races can be like 15, 20% women. I think women are apparently better at ultra running because they have a higher threshold for pain. This is it. This is it. This is it. I'm going to look at that.

I was like, no, I need to sign up to one. Yeah, sign me up immediately, actually. I'm going to do like a cool-down quickfire, a little segment we've got just to finish off the episode. So just answer, two people one suits you best. Okay. Morning or evening workout. Morning. Favorite rest day activity.

Oh, actually like rotting. I like love watching TV. We need to normalise rotting like, you know, every now and then, every couple of weeks, like a rot day is good for your soul, I think. Yeah. You know, in fact, actually my friends told me that the other day I was having a little cry. Just, you know those days where it just spills out day one of the period vibes? And they said to me, Sid, when was the last time you actually just stopped

and just sat on your sofa, watched trash TV and cried? I mean, crying is obviously not, we don't need to do that every time we bedrock, but. Or should be activeity crying. Use accordingly. Solo or group workouts. Group. Guilty pleasure workout song. Oh, don't stop moving, S Club 7.

Oh, yeah. Put that on on a run. Like when you're like about to hit runners high, I sent to hit runners high like 7K or like four, like, four, like, seven onwards if I do hit it and like putting on that song it's good but what do you mean runners high like runners yeah so like I feel like you know that feeling when when you're running and you feel like you're amazing and you can take it ascending yeah like free like you know when you're like I don't know what the word is like but it just feels like you're like euphoric almost yeah that's like runners high and I love to

like, S Club during that. Just to like really, that's what I was confused by. I was like, is this a pick me up song? No, it's a song to like really maximise the year. Okay, okay, love. Who's your dream training partner? Oh, my dream training partner. It's a great question.

Emily bears. Okay, put it on there, Emily, you know. What's one thing you will always, always, always have in your gym bag or running bag? My headphones. Oh, okay. So are you always listening to music? Always. Yeah, never without.

You know, Emily, she doesn't listen to music. That's... Okay. She's fighting some demons down later. I said this to her. I think I've asked her like three times before and she's like, no, yeah, I just run. I'm like, what do you mean? You just run 100K.

Yeah, that... That's crazy. But yeah, headphones always. Yeah, I do find sometimes you, I like, I like to have the music. And then you know, you get to a certain point where you're just like, shut up, I'm getting sick of it. And then you just need to like, you know, have a moment without out. And then you say as and when you need.

What's your go-to snack or hyperfixation meal? I love a pokey bowl. Okay. Like a rice bowl, like a burrito bowl. Oh, yeah. Yeah. I would say that. I'm like, go-to snack, trek bar.

Oh, okay. I love a chocolate track bar. I just think they're perfect. Mm-hmm, mm-hmm. Perfect. When do you feel your strongest? Ooh, when I'm... Run it.

When I feel good on a run, 100%. Yeah, yeah, nothing beats it. What's a mantra you live by? It's not that deep. No, perfect. And finally, where can people find you? On Instagram and TikTok. And one day, YouTube, but maybe in like a couple of years.

YouTube is so hard. I can't be asked. Yeah. What is your app for anybody that doesn't currently follow you? Jenny 4Wise underscore fit. And it's because all the other wise were taken. Perfect. Yeah, so 4Wise underscore fit on both TikTok and Instagram.

Amazing. Well, thank you so much for coming on. I really, really appreciate it. I feel like there's lots of really, really helpful and inspiring things that the girlies will take from this. Yay. Best of luck on the Ultra. and all the other bits and pieces you've got, you know, I'm a fan and I'll be watching

the whole time. Thanks for having been you. Thank you so much for coming on, Jenny. I really, really appreciate it. Cool, cool. Take care. See later. Bye-bye.

Okay, guys. Well, I hope you enjoyed that episode. I certainly did. Remember, if you guys do enjoy the episodes and you're loving the podcast, it would be our greatest honor if you could give us a five-star review on whatever platform you're listening to,

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And I will see you in the next one. Bye.