{"id":238558,"date":"2026-01-15T01:31:29","date_gmt":"2026-01-15T01:31:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/238558\/"},"modified":"2026-01-15T01:31:29","modified_gmt":"2026-01-15T01:31:29","slug":"jo-whiley-60-admits-her-first-run-in-a-long-time-was-hard-heres-how-she-stays-motivated","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/238558\/","title":{"rendered":"Jo Whiley, 60, admits her first run in a long time was hard \u2013 here’s how she stays motivated"},"content":{"rendered":"

Radio DJ Jo Whiley is no stranger to an endurance challenge \u2013 back in 2020, she completed three consecutive triathlons in aid of Sport Relief. But that doesn\u2019t mean she\u2019s run every day since or kept up her fitness<\/a> levels. She\u2019s also a popular coach on the NHS Couch to 5k<\/a> app, but again, that doesn\u2019t mean she\u2019s currently running 5ks all the time. <\/p>\n

In fact, Jo took to Instagram this week to tell her followers that she had done her first run in a really long time \u2013 and that it had been difficult. \u2018God, that was really hard. That was the first run I’ve done in a really long time,\u2019 she said. \u2018I didn’t check the weather yesterday when I promised that I’d go for one this morning, it’s rained the whole way around. It’s really bleak, grey skies.\u2019 <\/p>\n

Jo also shared her main motivation hack for actually sticking with running<\/a> over a longer period: signing up to a race. \u2018The reason I\u2019m doing it [running] is because I signed up to the London Landmarks Half Marathon, and I’ve discovered the only way I ever run is if I sign up to an event, I absolutely have to have the motivation,\u2019 she said. \u2018I have to have a commitment, otherwise I just won’t do it \u2013 I make excuses all the time. So the run is in April, I\u2019m doing it with Cass, my son, and a couple of other people hopefully I can persuade. And today was the first run.\u2019<\/p>\n

Related Story<\/p>\n

Despite the flurry of \u2018fitfluencers\u2019 we\u2019ve seen on our screens in recent years who always appear to be glowing and immaculate as they smash out hundreds of miles each week, the reality can often be a lot less glamorous \u2013 as Jo highlights. It\u2019s very normal to feel unmotivated, especially if you\u2019re a complete beginner and it\u2019s okay not to \u2018enjoy\u2019 it to begin with (particularly if it\u2019s raining… which is more than likely if you\u2019re in the UK).<\/p>\n

\u2018And I walked \u2013 just so you know, I walked quite a few times on the run,\u2019 added Jo, \u2018But it’s 5k<\/a>, I’ve done it. I ran some and walked some, and the first one is done.\u2019<\/p>\n

Signing up to a race can help because you\u2019ll likely (should be) following some kind of gradual plan that provides structure, accountability and motivation. It certainly doesn\u2019t have to be a half marathon, either \u2013 or costly. You could mark a future parkrun as your race and work towards that. <\/p>\n

And as the saying goes, you don\u2019t have to run every day to be a runner every day. <\/p>\n

Losing fat while building muscle is the goal for many fitness fans \u2013 and while it isn\u2019t easy, it is possible, says FIIT personal trainer and coach Laura Hoggins<\/a>. In this four-week plan \u2013 created exclusively for Women\u2019s Health COLLECTIVE members \u2013 you\u2019ll get the workouts and nutrition guidance needed to improve body composition in 2026.<\/p>\n

Ready to build and burn? Tap the link below to unlock 14 days of free access to the WH app, find the plan and start training today.<\/p>\n

Click here<\/a><\/p>\n

\"4<\/a>Related Stories\"Headshot<\/p>\n

Hannah Bradfield is a Senior Health and Fitness Writer for Women\u2019s Health UK. An NCTJ-accredited journalist, Hannah graduated from Loughborough University with a BA in English and Sport Science and an MA in Media and Cultural Analysis. \u00a0She has been covering sports, health and fitness for the last five years and has created content for outlets including BBC Sport, BBC Sounds, Runner\u2019s World and Stylist. She especially enjoys interviewing those working within the community to improve access to sport, exercise and wellness. Hannah is a 2024 John Schofield Trust Fellow and was also named a 2022 Rising Star in Journalism by The Printing Charity. \u00a0A keen runner, Hannah was firmly a sprinter growing up (also dabbling in long jump) but has since transitioned to longer-distance running. While 10K is her favoured race distance, she loves running or volunteering at parkrun every Saturday, followed, of course, by pastries. She\u2019s always looking for fun new runs and races to do and brunch spots to try.<\/p>\n