Play Running

05/06/2026

I DNF'd Ultra Trail Snowdonia 50K, and it was one of the best running decisions I've made.

After a hip injury disrupted training, I knew I wasn't prepared for 56km and 10,000ft of climbing. So I made a plan to start, learn as much as I could, and pull out safely when the time was right.

I learned so much! I learned that technical descents scare me more than I thought. That being cold makes fueling really difficult. That I need a better kit system. That I need to layer up BEFORE I feel the cold. And that a DNF isn't always a failure.

Sometimes success is listening to your body, making good decisions, and coming away with experience you'll use next time.

If you're a woman thinking about entering a race but worrying whether you're "good enough", there's no such thing as good enough. You just need to try. We are all learning.

I've written more about what I learned from a planned DNF on my blog. Link in bio. ❤️

11/05/2026

Bristol 10k, you were absolutely fabulous.
❤️ the reversed route.
❤️ raising some last minute dosh for .
❤️ seeing .g_._ smash her first half marathon.
❤️ running.
❤️ community.
❤️ Bristol.

22/04/2026

“Look at you with your stupid sticks!”
– my son Milo, aged 9

This weekend was about finding the joy again, and ’ Beast of the Beacons 10 Mile absolutely delivered. Incredible snacks, big open views, the kindest volunteers, and an atmosphere you could bottle up and sell.

I won’t lie, I started with a slightly dodgy stomach (but not that kind, just a little off). But sometimes training is about getting comfortable with discomfort… so off I went, knowing I had all the gear I needed and could turn around at any point if I had to (I would never put myself or anyone else at risk if I really felt bad – just saying).

Mile 1 was a lot. But once I reminded myself the cut-off was generous and I could walk the whole thing if I needed to, everything softened and I found a rhythm. I power-hiked the climbs (which had absolutely no right being that steep), tried to keep my quads intact on the descents, and questioned all my life choices on the suspiciously hard “flat” canal path. What is it that makes flat running so hard after hills? Someone tell me.

And then, suddenly, it was done, and I was enjoying a cola-and-cake combo at HQ. Lush.

Thank you for putting on such brilliant events, and thank you for the amazing photos of me and my "sticks" (and your huge smile at the top of that massive hill!).

Friends, I do these things for fun, so if you ever want to come with me, please say. It’s a jolly good day out. With snacks and loads of lush people. You know you want to…

20/04/2026

"Say, we can go where we want to
A place where they will never find
And we can act like we come from out of this world
Leave the real one far behind"

The Safety Dance, Men Without Hats (aka, an absolute banger)

Thank you for the Beast of the Beacons 10 miler (my own private disco for the uncoordinated) and helping me find the joy again.

10/04/2026

Last run in the place of my dreams before we head home.

This trip was a gamble; I was asking my husband and children to climb a mountain with me for my 50th birthday, not knowing whether they would enjoy it.

Everybody LOVED it. My youngest (9) said that it's the best holiday he's ever been on and his favourite part was walking the mountain ♥️🥹. My eldest loved it too.

Never be afraid to inspire your children to go on adventures – nine times out of ten they will love it as much as you do.

I'll be back in May for (volunteering again cos my hip has asked me not to run 50k up loads of hills, and annoyingly I can't transfer to the 25k as it's full).

Thank you for an incredible week, Eryri. See you in a few weeks 🚞🏞️🏔️🌄🗻⛰️

08/04/2026

This is Play at 50.

Let's GO!

I even got some running-wanker sunglasses 😂😎

💚❤️

07/04/2026

A small break from running-related content because...

F I F T Y ✅♥️
Snowdon/Yr Wyddfa with my boys ✅👌🏼
Happy Claire ✅✨

I'm in paradise. Please don't make me leave.

###

04/02/2026

Changes at Play Running.

I am stepping away from face to face PT training and 1:1 coaching for now. Reasons include but are not limited to: childcare, life, and the fact that it will not stop raining and my gym is wet. And you know what wet gyms are? Dangerous 😂

These services might resume when I can see straight and the floor is dry. We shall see.

For the time being, this space is becoming something else:

A no-holds-barred running resource for women aged 50-ish. All are welcome, but this is written from where I stand now (49), not where I stood at 20. Built on honesty, humour, curiosity, and the firm belief that running belongs to everyone.

I am very much learning as I go, especially in the trail running zone, where it appears that elevation is both the problem and the point. I’ll share what I know, what I’m figuring out, what works, what absolutely doesn’t, and what made me laugh (or cry) mid-run. I mean, just yesterday I smashed my knee! 🎉

Expect thoughts on running, ageing, motivation, fuel, fear, ambition, confidence (or lack thereof), perfect power ballads and period pants.

Website revamp to follow if I have time. (I probably won’t.)

See you on the trails!

17/11/2025

Running means a lot of different things.

It can be an adventure, a reason to get outside, a way to switch off — or even just an excuse to take the dog out and explore somewhere new.

It’s also a community, full of people who cheer you on and understand why you keep lacing up.

And yes, it’s an achievement too — not just the big races, but every small win that makes you feel proud.

I meant every word I said in this film about the Keynsham Dandy.

"The best of life."

Who's running it with me next year?

16/11/2025

Don't forget, this starts tomorrow 😊🎉

✨ Join us for our new free monthly social run ✨
Starting Monday 17th November🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️
📍 Meet at The Hub
🕘 9:00am meet | 9:15am start
https://www.lockleazent.co.uk/stoked-to-run/