Freedom Running & Fitness

13/06/2026

I just realised that my visit to Parc Dewi Sant parkrun last week was my 400th time attending a parkrun, including all the times I've run, walked, and/or volunteered.

For those who love stats, I've run or walked 197 parkruns and volunteered at 272 events, including 69 times when I've done both.

When I first turned up at Banstead Woods in 2009, it was known as a time trial, with metal position tokens that you handed to a volunteer, who would type your position and athlete details into a laptop to create the results.

recently became the first person to run or walk 1000 parkruns. To put Darren's achievement into perspective, at my rate of 197 parkruns in 17 years, I'd have to still be doing parkruns at the age of 111 to reach the 1000 milestone.

The good news is that I'm on track to reach 1000 volunteer credits much sooner – aged 88! Never say never!!

Kudos to Nicki Clark, who in 2024 became the first person to volunteer at 1000 parkruns.

is celebrating it’s millionth event this weekend, which is just mind-blowing. I’m happy to have been involved in 400 of them!

Happy parkrunday! 🧡

What’s your favourite parkrun memory? Let me know in the comments 💬

11/06/2026

One last run along the Carmarthenshire coast yesterday before heading home today. 🌊

Runs like this remind me why I love running. The freedom to explore new places, clear your head, and feel good in your own body.

Now it's back to doing what I love: helping other women find that same feeling.

If you've got an autumn race in the diary, I can take the stress out of your training with a plan that works for you and guidance on all the other things that make a difference: looking after your body, nutrition, kit, race-day preparation, and more.

Or if you've tried getting into running before and it never quite clicked, I can give you a plan designed for you and the support to help you enjoy running as a long-term habit.

Personalised coaching. Flexible support. Training that fits your life.

I have a small number of coaching spaces available. DM me if you'd like to book a free discovery zoom call and find out whether coaching is right for you.

07/06/2026

Coaching isn’t my only volunteer role. I’m also part of the core team as a Run Director at and an ambassador for , both of which involve being part of a brilliant team 🧡💙

parkrun has given me so many brilliant experiences as a volunteer. The first time I was Run Director, I was so nervous about giving the pre-event brief in front of more than 700 people. I practised it at home dozens of times until I knew it by heart, just in case my hands were shaking too much to read my notes! In the end, it wasn’t that bad. The parkrun community were incredibly supportive and, over time, the experience helped me gain confidence as a speaker in other settings too.

There’s a lot more that goes into organising a parkrun than most people realise. No matter how much you plan, unexpected things happen, like finding a hornets’ nest on the course 20 minutes before the event is due to start 😱

Being a 5k Your Way ambassador is all about encouraging people affected by cancer to take part in parkrun by walking, running, cheering, or volunteering. 5k Your Way groups meet on the last Saturday of each month at more than 100 parkrun locations across the UK and Ireland and are supported by .

The best thing about 5k Your Way is the sense of community, both within local groups and at the special events where groups from across the country come together. Having a cancer diagnosis can be the worst way of meeting the best people.

Are you a volunteer? Share your favourite volunteering memory in the comments 👇



📸 1 & 2: John Boyer

07/06/2026

In 2019, while training for an ultramarathon, I suffered a back injury that threatened to end my running altogether. Running had always been my way of dealing with difficult times, and suddenly it was gone. I missed the movement, but I also missed the people. Running wasn’t just exercise. It was a huge part of my social life and identity.

I already volunteered within the running community, so when I couldn’t run, I decided to get more involved. It felt like a risk. I wasn’t sure whether it would make me miss running even more or help me stay connected to the sport I loved.

I started helping with track sessions and went on to qualify as a licensed coach with . Even after I returned to running two years later, I carried on coaching. I coached throughout my cancer treatment and, for the last three years, I’ve had the privilege of serving as Head of Coaching, supporting a fantastic team of coaches and run leaders.

As Volunteers’ Week comes to an end, I’m reflecting on how much that one decision changed my life. Volunteering gave me purpose, routine, and connection during some of the toughest periods of my life. It also gave me the experience, confidence and qualifications that led to a new career.

No two runners are the same. That’s what makes coaching so interesting. There isn’t one plan that works for everyone. It’s all about getting to know the individual and adapting the advice and plan that will work for them and fit in their life.

03/06/2026

How was Global Running Day for you?
I enjoyed an evening trail run along part of the Wales Coast Path. Running on holiday is a great way to explore the local area, and this route didn’t disappoint: great scenery, rabbits hopping along the path in front of me, and a rainbow at the end.
No pressure to hit a particular pace, just enjoying the sense of freedom and adventure that only running gives me.

10/05/2026

Congratulations to all of today’s finishers and well done to Epsom Allsorts Ladies Running Club for hosting another brilliant Hogsmill 5 event 👏👏👏

Freedom Running & Fitness is a proud sponsor of the race for women 💜

05/05/2026

🚨 SOLD OUT! 🏃‍♀️💜

Wow 😮 the Hogsmill 5 is now officially FULL!

Thank you to everyone who’s signed up, it’s going to be an incredible day celebrating women’s running 🙌

⚠️ Please note: there will be no entries on the day

We can’t wait to welcome you all to the start line and share such a special, supportive event 💜

30/04/2026

Enter now to secure your place for this fabulous race and be in the draw for some free coaching 🏃🏽‍♀️🎁

Freedom Running & Fitness is a proud sponsor of Hogsmill 5

🚨 Last few places remaining! 🏃‍♀️💜

The Hogsmill 5 is almost full

⚠️ No entries on the day

If you’ve been thinking about it, now’s the time to sign up and be part of an amazing, supportive race day 🙌

🎉 Great atmosphere
🎁 Spot prizes
🍰 Cake sale supporting the Dylan Strong Foundation

👉 Secure your place now:
https://register.enthuse.com/ps/event/Hogsmill52026

25/04/2026

Pre-race nerves kicking in?

You’re not alone. One of the most common topics I work on with my clients is mindset and overcoming imposter syndrome.

You’ve done the training. You’ve prepared your kit and fuel (not just porridge and a banana 😉). You’ve got your bib and filled your pockets with freebies from the running show. You’re ready to go. Trust your training. Everyone else is overthinking it too.

Tomorrow is your day ✨

Clips from Talking Marathons with Louise Acher Sports Therapy

15/01/2026

Even those of us who love running have days when it’s a struggle to get going. Physically fine but lacking in motivation.

Today I wasn’t in the mood for an interval session in the rain but I knew I would regret not running, and that starting is often the hardest part.

So I put on my running kit and persuaded myself just to run to the park. If there was anything physically wrong I’d find out quickly enough and could just go home but once I was there I decided I might as well do a couple of laps of the interval session that I was supposed to be doing. A few more “might as wells” later and I’d completed the session.

As always, I felt better for it. The rain hadn’t bothered me that much, and I had more motivation to get on with my plans for the day.

What are your tips and tricks for motivation? Have you tried any from the 2nd photo?

Let me know in the comments 💬