Thia Malan - Running coach

Social media posting fatigue and how to recover…

After my ‘Menopause and Marathon Webinar with Q&A’ with 10 days ago 🙈, I needed some recovery time after what felt like a lot of posting content and invitations here in the Metaverse.

The good news is that I have gotten out for two fantastic Friday mountain days since and feel restored, ready to dump some of photos for your enjoyment and inspiration (if you need any).

I feel like it’s ok and even healthy perhaps to periodize my posting, the way I do my training.

After all, everything that relates to life has ups and downs, ebbs and flows, ages and stages, cycles and rhythms. My last couple of Friday long runs (or perhaps hikes tbh) was a gorgeous transition from sunny autumnal to snowy winter.

As always getting out into the hills helps me to tune back into mine and that of our beautiful earth…

Footfall, Heartbeat, Breath and Earth. 🌍

I am very excited to be hosting this webinar with Dr Olga Morton, GP and Lifestyle medic.

Dr Olga Morton offers coaching for menopausal women who are unable to take HRT. Even though I can take HRT, I signed up to her 6 weeks group coaching course ‘Menopause with Lifestyle’.

I learnt loads and came away with a list of changes I could quite easily action after each session.

Embarking on a marathon journey shows a readiness to institute lifestyle changes, so it makes sense to combine this with knowledge on how you can use lifestyle factors to support you through menopause.

Come along this Thursday, 14 November, 1-2pm UK time to find out more.

Sign up on my website www.thiamalan.com or send me a DM.

Marathon and Beyond: a way of life

trailtales.blog

Race photos from this weekend's Gower Ultra Bach with Run, walk, crawl. It was a fabulous day! Thank you for these great shots 's Photography.

I made it into the top 10 females... just and had to race hard for the last 3 miles to hold onto my position and try catch Chrissie Collier who was a bit ahead of me. Really chuffed to be first in my age category (FV50... yes I am getting on a bit). Still enjoying and hoping to continue for years to come!

I'm planning a Menopause and Marathon Webinar with Dr Olga Morton on 14 November 1-2pm, so watch this space!

I have a confession to make... even though I am not looking for forgiveness or absolution.
The confession is that sometimes I suffer because of my own imperfections. Don't we all have them! My bent has always been towards perfectionism! Striving for improvement, progress, beauty, skill, excellence is all good and the journey rewarding... but perfectionism can ruin so much of it. It can create a reality where good enough remains forever elusive.

When PERFECTIONISM, pushes me towards PROCRASTINATION, which quickly progresses to PARALYSIS, it is time to get moving...

so then I get myself out the door for a run, pushing back with PURPOSE, reminding myself the good stuff I learn from endurance running and ultra-marathons in wild places... PERSEVERE with PATIENCE and PURPOSE, find PLEASURE in the PROGRESS.

What stops you from taking action, from moving forward?
Do you have strategies to overcome your obstacles?

Let me know in the comments.

Have you decided to embark on your first marathon journey? I am excited for you!
I ran my first marathon in April 2017, aged 44. It was hard, it was a long way, it was marvellous, it was magical. The marathon journey was just the beginning of running adventures that took me onto more marathons and ultra-marathons and onto trails and mountains.
The rewards of training and completing the marathon are more than a medal and physical fitness, it empowers with confidence, destroys self-limiting beliefs and gives unforgettable memories.
With 40 years of running experience (I ran my first half marathon in 1984!) I can help you train 'smart' rather than 'hard' for you marathon.

This evening I will be hosting my first Live Q&A.
The topic is Training for a Marathon.
I’ve invited some pre-questions to give me some time to reflect…

The broadest question is ‘what are the benefits of running marathons?’

This is personal and I suppose also changes over time. Consistently it has been a way for me to beat the darkness, invite more light and know that the gods wait to delight in me!

Another runner shared a poem ‘The Laughing Heart’ by Charles Bukowski.

your life is your life
don’t let it be clubbed into dank submission.
be on the watch.
there are ways out.
there is a light somewhere.
it may not be much light but
it beats the darkness.
be on the watch.
the gods will offer you chances.
know them.
take them.
you can’t beat death but
you can beat death in life, sometimes.
and the more often you learn to do it,
the more light there will be.
your life is your life.
know it while you have it.
you are marvelous
the gods wait to delight
in you.

Comment Q&A or DM me to receive the invite.

Have you made the decision to run you first marathon? I am excited for you!
I ran my first marathon in April 2017, aged 44. It was hard, it was a long way, it was marvellous, it was magical. The marathon journey was just the beginning of running adventures that took me onto more marathons and ultra-marathons and onto trails and mountains.
The rewards of training and completing the marathon are more than a medal and physical fitness, it empowers with confidence, destroys self-limiting beliefs and gives unforgettable memories.
With 40 years of running experience (I ran my first half marathon in 1984!) I can help you train 'smart' rather than 'hard' for you marathon.
Come along to my Live Q&A on Thursday, 10 October at 8pm. Comment Q&A or DM me to receive the invite link.

What do you want to know about preparing for a marathon?
There is so much to learn, now matter how many marathons you have already done.
Come along with your questions about training plans, injury prevention, race strategy, fuelling, mental and emotional preparation and anything else you want to talk about.
This Q & A is for everyone, but especially for those who are embarking on their first marathon journey. It can be daunting, but it is is certainly very rewarding.
Comment Q & A to receive the invite.

I’ll be at the this Saturday.
Join me for yoga at 9am or come along for a chat in the Coaches Corner at 10.30am.

There will be lots of talks and exhibits by a whole host of people who have done some epic stuff and who can help you find your epic!