In this episode Kirsten answers some questions sent in and also some common ones asked from the local community.

Cat is a mother of three, a GP and a fantastic runner. We talk about running through motherhood, and how it can help you when you feel you are losing your identitiy. We also talk about other pressures, especially the compassion trap with social media and how women of a certain generation may never truly be free of negative feelings about our own bodies, no matter how amazing they are.

In this episode I talk to Debbie and Audrey just one week after they both smashed the London Marathon which was their first marathon after years of running.

We talk about the whole marathon experience from a 1st timer perspective, and also about getting started in running and making that switch from 5-10k to longer distance endurance events.

The most important thing about the marathon is the money raised for charity, and Debbie and Audrey have raised a phenomenal amount for the National Deaf Children's Society which is a charity close to Debbie's heart. The donation link is still open and shared below.

https://2025tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/debbie-talbot

Maxine is a school teacher and mum of two very young kids. Like a lot of people, Maxine started off in other sports and only took up running during Covid, her first run being a bit of a shock to the system. From there, she has grown to chase that running buzz, and has went from 5k to half marathon to marathon in a very short space of time. We talk about mum guilt whils trying to find that time to yourself.

Nicola, business owner and busy mum to two young children shares her story from zero to 5K, including her experience joining a running club and the other benefits running has brought her.

Kirsten and Alison talk about the barriers to running, why Strides & Smiles was created, and set the scene for future episodes