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30 races for my 30th Year Update

Dec 29, 2018 | Race Recaps, Running | 14 comments

At the start of 2018, I made a decision to try to run 30 races in the year to celebrate turning 30. I thought it would be quite easy to complete, clearly I thought I raced more frequently than I actually do. Read below to see if I achieved it…

January

Richmond 10K 

London Winter Run 

February

Tokyo Friendship 4K

Tokyo Marathon 

Cyprus International Marathon 10K 

Tokyo Marathon 2018 Race Recap

March

Rough Runner 10K  – probably the worst organised race I have ever been to!

New York City Half Marathon 

April

Paris Friendship 5K

Paris Marathon

London Marathon

RW London Marathon Pacers

May

Tough Mudder 

London 10 Mile 

Malawi half Marathon  – my first ever DNF, had to drop down from the full marathon to the half.

Malawi Impact Marathon

June

Sommertime Series 5K just outside Orlando (I matched my 5K PB time, which I was pleased with although wish I’d known I was so close, surely there was one more second in the tank?!)

Queens 10K

July

Virgin British 10K

London Relay 

August 

Ragnar Relay in Colorado 

Seattle 10K 

September

After pulling out of the Big Cottonwood Marathon in September, I forgot to sign up to any other races!

October 

Royal Parks Half 

Project BQ phoenix marathon

Great South Run 

Halloween 5K 

November

NONE!! Watched the NYC marathon – does that count?!

December 

Marlow Santa 5K 

I won a race! I can’t believe that I managed to win the Central Park Holiday 4 miler  – OK yes it was a very small local race, but I’m not letting that small bit of info ruin it!

Finisher winner 4 mile race

Run Through UK Lee Valley Velopark 10K  

Total races for 2018: 25!

I’m missing five races for my 30 in 30, so am planning on ensuring I complete them before I turn 30;

I’ve already signed up for Windsor Half Marathon, London Winter Run, Phoenix Marathon, LA marathon, Cherry Blossom 10 miler, London Marathon (pacing) and Edinburgh Half Marathon!

What races do you have you signed up for so far in 2019? 

14 Comments

  1. W.Purves.

    Life begins at 30? You are doing fine. G.

    Reply
    • charlotte

      Hope so!! Can’t wait to see you xx

      Reply
  2. maureengetsreal

    I love the idea of doing 30 races to celebrate turning 30!

    Reply
  3. Phill

    Im running the Moscow Marathon in September, very flat Marathon although im hoping for sub 4 not a BQ time!

    Reply
  4. Cathryn

    First of all, happy birthday Charlie. My 30s were my best years ever, I loved them and I’m confident you will too. It’s when I learned to be myself, to stop worrying about not being skinny, to stop worrying about what other people thought and when I finally learned what was important to me. They’re golden years.

    I also have to say how funny I think it is that you wondered if you’d achieved enough by 30. Seriously, when I saw it was your birthday, I honestly thought how much more you’d achieved by 30 than I had and I had to giggle at how I wasted my 20s. But the bigger point isn’t how you compare to others…it’s how you feel about what YOU’VE achieved. Are YOU happy? That’s all that matters really.

    Reply
  5. Margaret

    See you at the Seattle race – a friend and I are doing the 5k!

    Reply
  6. Cari

    I feel you on 30, luckily 40 is seeming to be much kinder to me. I think the settled by 30 is a thing of a prior generation
    Didn’t realize you’d been here for Queens, look forward to your recap of it — I didn’t love Queens

    Reply
  7. shineonsyd

    Love the blog, love the pics, 30-40 and you will be at your running peak! – Happy Birthday

    Reply
    • charlotte

      Thank you!!

      Reply
  8. Caro the arrow

    I was delighted to see your link to the Seattle 10k. We fly in on the Saturday and me and my husband like to run early to help cope with time difference, this could be a great option. As always great blog.

    Reply
    • charlotte

      Yay, are you going to sign up for the 5K or 10K? How long are you in Seattle for?

      Reply
      • CARO THE ARROW

        Ouch! The price tag is a little steep for a 10k. I’ll think about that one and see how I feel in my running. I’m used to local races prices with the affiliated runner price:)

        We’re only in Seattle for 2 days but stateside for 3 weeks. Heading from Seattle to LA and stopping in my favourite place along the way, South Lake Tahoe. I love the outdoor lifestyle there whether winter or summer and of course the altitude training!! ;).

        Reply
  9. Shelby

    This is such a fun idea! I’d love to try 30 races before 30! I’m new to running races and was curious if you have any posts about planning out a race calendar? Or tips and tricks? I’ve run placed in 2 5ks, and I’ve run a 10k distance but had emergency surgery before the race date, ugh. I’d love to run a full marathon, so I’m think if I did a 5k, 10k, half, and full, that’d be a good schedule to start with…but I’m nervous to sign up for that many races. Any advice is much appreciated! I love your blog and think you’re a wonderful athlete! So inspiring! Best of luck for your BQ in SLC. I live in UT!

    Reply
  10. Shelby

    One more question: Do you recommend signing up and booking races through one website? Does that offer discounts or sign up points or something? Just wondering if it’s important to use the same account when picking races!

    Reply

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