I have run 5 marathons so far, and I do not doubt that I will run many more. The common denominator across all those marathons has been my friend Thomas from @Believeintherun , who has supported, advised, and encouraged me through this journey.

Put simply, I owe a lot to this man! Thomas, you're a gem in this community, and I wish everyone had a Thomas in their lives.

I explore what truly makes someone a "real runner" by challenging toxic running culture and redefining what it means to belong in the running community. The running world needs to be more inclusive and welcoming to all who enjoy putting on their shoes and heading out the door.

• Arbitrary standards like pace, knowledge, race participation, or years of experience don't determine if you're a "real runner"
• If you have a relationship with running and make time for it despite life's demands, you're already a runner
• Parents and full-time workers who find time to run deserve immense respect for their dedication
• Finding joy in running is more important than achieving specific times or meeting others' expectations
• Looking at your progress in context rather than comparing to others leads to greater satisfaction
• YouTube channels like Jason's Running, Ben is Running, Kofuzi, and Cole Running offer authentic running content worth checking out
• The Nike Streakfly 2 (£164) makes an excellent shoe for fast 5K runs and interval training sessions
• Suunto Race S offers a compelling alternative to Garmin watches at a lower price point (£299)

Next episode will discuss Thomas from Believe in the Run – be sure to tune in on Wednesday!