Clare: a running friendship, six years on

Clare started Couch to 5K with a friend during Covid. Six years later, they’re still running together twice a week, sorting out the next day’s distance with a tentative text the night before.

Her running buddy keeps her motivated, and their runs are a chance to catch up as well as keep fit. The photo below is from their first parkrun together, after six years of running side by side.

The first kilometre

Clare felt liberated on those early runs, even though the first kilometre was harder than the ones that followed.

Clare has insulin-dependent diabetes and says she wanted to establish a running routine for her health. The feeling afterwards helped her stick with it, especially through winter. She describes running as a vital part of her mental wellbeing, even when she isn’t going far or fast.

Running Woman’s medals were an important part of those first couple of years too. Clare and her friend added up their monthly kilometres and used the medals to celebrate their efforts. Getting the 10km medal felt like a real achievement. Running Woman was essential to her in those early days, and she still wears the running gear.

Outside running, she has a local dog-walking business and three grown-up sons. She loves nature, being outdoors, reading and theatre. Running gives her a sense of freedom.

A hot, hilly 10K and a holiday run

Her proudest running moment so far is the Northwich 10K in June 2026. It was hot and hilly.

She also has wonderful memories of running with her eldest son on holiday in the Netherlands in 2023. It’s a run she’ll never forget.

Keeping the routine through winter

For now, Clare wants to keep those regular runs going as winter approaches. She knows how easy it can be not to go, but she also loves running in the rain.

Crossing the river is a mental hurdle on their route. Once they’re over the locks, they’re committed to 5km. Getting herself across is part of keeping that twice-weekly routine going.

She’s aiming for at least one parkrun a month. Her times have been coming down, with regular finishes around 31 minutes, and she’s wondering whether a 30-minute 5K might be possible.

But she doesn’t think you need to run a particular distance or time to count as a runner. Her advice is simple: if you’re running, you’re a runner.

And what makes Clare a Running Woman?

“My body can do far more than I knew it could”

If you’d like to find some running company or chat with other women about your own routine, our Facebook group is here too. Join Running Woman Chat.