Karen's Running

Karen's Running I’m Karen, a 64-year-old runner determined to keep moving, keep learning and keep loving every mile. Let’s run this road together!
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Sharing my little pep talks to encourage us all to stay strong, grateful, and active for as long as we can.

16/06/2026

Quick update from the birthday girl… I’m 65 today. And I’m still slightly amused that life trusted me with this age without a manual.

I’m starting off the celebrations in a very on-brand way: running through the forest, slightly out of breath, talking to my phone like this is normal behaviour.

Seriously though I find myself feeling deeply grateful for the simple gift of time-for the years that have passed and for the people who have been part of them.

Huge thanks to YOU for being such a loyal part of my little corner of the internet, even when I go off on one of my endless rambles… and the occasional “where was I going with this?” moment 📹😅 You still show up, watch my videos, leave such lovely comments 😭, message me, have a giggle with me and that’s something I never take for granted. ❤️

So today I celebrate not just a birthday, but a lifetime-a beautifully imperfect passage of time.

Here’s to 65 years well lived and to the stories still waiting to be written 📖💫

#65

15/06/2026

A 10K is proof that the human brain cannot be trusted.

KM 1: “I am an athlete.”
KM 3: “I should really take recovery seriously.”
KM 6: “Who invented this and why?”
KM 8: “I have left my body.”
KM 10: “SPRINT!”

The fact that we voluntarily do this, then post our watch screenshots online like it was an awesome experience, should be studied.

Anyone else become a completely different person every kilometre? 😂🏃

SoundMindSoundBody

11/06/2026

Running is just adults playing fetch with their feelings. 🐕🏃‍♀️

It’s a strange hobby. You voluntarily suffer, briefly leave your body, and then spend the rest of the day feeling smug about it.

Anyone else go through this exact emotional journey every single run?

10/10. Will do it again tomorrow. 🏃‍♀️

10/06/2026

Running keeps me grounded, clears some mental clutter, and reminds me that discomfort isn’t always a reason to stop.

And if you’re looking for a way to make your next run more exciting:
Pick a stranger ahead of you and overtake them.
Bonus points if they had absolutely no idea they were competing. 🏃‍♂️😂

09/06/2026

A few weeks ago, I was focused entirely on getting healthy.

Today, I ran 10K.

It’s funny how quickly runners move the goalposts. We achieve something we couldn’t do a month ago and immediately start worrying about what we still can’t do.

With a 25K race approaching, part of me wishes I was fitter. Another part remembers how far I’ve come.

The physical comeback is only half the story.
The mental battle of not doing too much too soon?

That’s the interesting bit.

“You’re feeling good.”
“Don’t get carried away.”

08/06/2026

Most people assume I’ve always been a runner. They imagine school teams, club races, or decades of experience behind me.

The truth is much simpler.
I didn’t start running until I was 50.

That usually surprises people. But more often than not, it also gives them permission to think differently about what’s possible for themselves.

For half a century, running wasn’t part of my life. Since then, it’s taken me to places I never expected, introduced me to incredible people, and shown me that many of the limits we accept are simply assumptions we’ve never challenged.

Age has a funny way of exposing the stories we tell ourselves.
“I’m too old.”
“Maybe it’s too late.”
“People like me don’t do that.”
But how often do we actually test those beliefs?

At 50, I had no idea what I could achieve.
At 64, I’m still finding out.

And that’s one of the things I love most.
There’s always another lesson to learn, another challenge to take on, another finish line waiting somewhere ahead.

One run won’t transform your life overnight.
But it might be the first step towards a version of yourself you haven’t met yet.

05/06/2026

Not every training block goes to plan... and this one definitely threw in a surprise.

A rolled ankle meant my preparation for the North Yorkshire Ultra Challenge took an unexpected detour, swapping long miles for rest, rehab, and a lot of patience.

The good news? I’m back running again and building things up sensibly. The temptation to squeeze weeks of missed training into a short space of time is real, but staying healthy is far more important than chasing extra miles.

The work that’s been done is done, and there’s no benefit in trying to cram it all in now. I’ve learned that showing up well-rested and injury-free is a much better strategy than trying to prove something in training.

That’s one of the reasons I’m looking forward to this event so much. events are incredibly welcoming, supportive, and designed for people of all abilities, so I’m focusing on enjoying the experience and taking in the amazing North Yorkshire scenery.

If you’re dealing with a setback or feeling behind with your training, this is your reminder that progress isn’t always linear. Sometimes taking a step back is exactly what helps you move forward.

AD| And if you’d like to take on an Ultra Challenge event yourself, you can use my discount code 𝗞𝗔𝗥𝗘𝗡𝟭𝟬 when you sign up.

Who’s got an event coming up this summer? 👇

04/06/2026

I spend a surprising amount of time running away from absolutely nothing.

Every run begins with negotiations, complaints, and a strong desire to turn around.

But somewhere along the way, the noise quiets down.

The pace doesn’t always get easier. The hills don’t disappear. Yet somehow, I finish feeling stronger than when I started.

Maybe that’s the point.

Not to become faster. Not to become fitter.
Just to remind myself that I can keep moving forward, even when it’s hard. 🏃‍♂️

The finish line is great. The growth along the way is better.

03/06/2026

*** IF YOU’D LIKE TO JOIN IN THEN HEAD TO INSTAGRAM AS THE SHARING ETC WORKS DIFFERENTLY HERE ON FACEBOOK! ***
like.a.wrinkly on Instagram

It’s Global Running Day-a worldwide celebration of running that happens every year to encourage people of all ages and abilities to get outside and move. It’s less about distance or speed and more about showing up, enjoying movement, and being part of a global running community.

Here’s today’s energy:

Today isn’t just another run day-it’s our day.

I want to see you out there logging your miles, minutes, or whatever movement you’ve got in you. Share it in your stories or posts and tag me so I can spotlight runners from all over the world throughout the day.

Let’s flood the feed with runs from everywhere and turn today into a global running celebration.

If your account is private, just DM me your run so I can still include you 😃

31/05/2026

31,000+ women. One very hot day. A whole lot of determination. ☀️🏃‍♀️💛

Today’s Women’s 10K was such a special experience. There’s something pretty amazing about being surrounded by thousands of women all showing up, cheering each other on and doing hard things together. Equal parts sweat, smiles and community, and I loved every minute of it.

I wore the ASICS Superblast 3 shoes and-I’ve said it before-LOVE THEM ❤️ How comfy can a shoe be?! 😍

And a big win for me was my ankle which has been very much on probation lately-it felt absolutely fantastic. Proof that sometimes the hardest part of training is having the patience to heal properly. I’m so grateful I gave it the time it needed.

And for anyone interested-after several weeks focused on rehab my watch says I crossed the line in 1:10. I don’t pay much attention to my pace but I know others like to follow race stats.

Now accepting medals, snacks (and roses🌹) and compliments for my excellent rehabilitation skills. 🏅😂

To all 31,000 women who showed up today: you are incredible. What a day. 💕

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