THE JOURNAL

THE
ORDINARY
TIMES

Training notes, gear you actually need, and existential running content. Written for remarkably average people.

THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF

Black Ordinary Mile Club running socks laid flat, showing the reinforced heel and flat toe seam
Do Running Socks Actually Make a Difference?
What the evidence actually says about running socks, blisters, cotton and compression, and which features are worth the money. Read more...
Detail shot of black running shorts showing waistband, drawcord and zip pocket
Best Running Shorts UK: What Actually Matters
The five things that actually matter when buying running shorts, and the three you can safely ignore. Read more...
Runners crossing Westminster Bridge on an easy taper week run before race day
What to Do in Race Week
Fewer miles, more worrying. What the taper research actually says, how to eat and sleep in the last seven days, and the race-week mistakes that cost ordinary runners minutes. Read more...
Ordinary Mile Club runners on a long training run beside the River Thames in London, preparing for a half marathon
How Long Does It Take to Run a Half Marathon?
Average half marathon times, a full pace-to-finish table, and the things that actually decide the number on your certificate. Read more...
A group of runners on a long marathon training run beside the Thames in London
How to Train for a Marathon on Four Runs a Week
Four runs a week is not a compromise. It is the shape of most plans that actually get ordinary runners to a marathon finish line. Read more...
Group of Ordinary Mile Club runners training together on a track during a 10K training session
10K Training Plan: Three Runs a Week
An eight-week 10K training plan built around three runs a week, for people with jobs, boilers and finite willpower. Read more...
A group of Ordinary Mile Club runners on a Thames path long run during half marathon training
A Half Marathon Training Plan for Slow Runners
A 14-week, three-runs-a-week half marathon plan written for runners at the back, where weekday sessions are measured in minutes and the long run peaks at eleven miles. Read more...
Runners in black Ordinary Mile Club kit around a Lanarkshire cafe table with coffee after a long Clyde valley run
The Best Post-Run Coffee Shops in Lanarkshire
Seven independent Lanarkshire cafes worth finishing a run at, and the parkruns and country park trails that get you there. Read more...
Two runners pacing a long marathon training run together along the Thames in London
First Marathon: What Nobody Tells You
The taper, the wall, miles 20 to 24 and the half-mile walk to the station afterwards. An honest first-marathon guide for ordinary runners. Read more...
Group of runners in black kit resting against a river wall after a long road run in London
UK Races With the Most Generous Cut-Off Times
The UK marathons and half marathons that give slower runners genuine room, with cut-off times taken straight from the organisers own FAQs. Read more...
Runners in Ordinary Mile Club kit at a café table after a run in Warwickshire
The Best Post-Run Coffee Shops in Warwickshire
Eight independent Warwickshire cafés worth finishing a run at, from Leamington to Coventry, plus the county parkruns and the Two Castles 10K. Read more...
Club runners in black kit lining up for a UK half marathon start
The Best UK Half Marathons for Ordinary Runners
Seven UK half marathons picked for generous cut-offs, crowds that stay put and wave starts that do not make you feel like a nuisance. Read more...
Ordinary Mile Club runners on a UK road run after missing out on the London Marathon ballot
Rejected From the London Marathon Ballot? What to Do Next
Missed out on the 2027 London Marathon ballot? The routes still open, the races worth entering instead, and the option nobody suggests. Read more...
Runner in Ordinary Mile Club kit after a run in Herefordshire
The Best Post-Run Coffee Shops in Herefordshire
Where to find proper independent coffee after a run in Herefordshire, from Hereford city centre to Ross-on-Wye. Read more...
Runner in Ordinary Mile Club kit after a run in Stirlingshire
The Best Post-Run Coffee Shops in Stirlingshire
The best independent post-run coffee in Stirlingshire, from Stirling old town to Bridge of Allan and Falkirk. Read more...
Runner in Ordinary Mile Club kit after a run in Renfrewshire
The Best Post-Run Coffee Shops in Renfrewshire
Independent coffee shops worth running to in Renfrewshire, from Paisley to Greenock and Gourock on the Clyde. Read more...
Runner in Ordinary Mile Club kit after a run in Perthshire
The Best Post-Run Coffee Shops in Perthshire
The best independent coffee in Perthshire after a run, from Perth city centre to Aberfeldy, Pitlochry and Dunkeld. Read more...
Runner in Ordinary Mile Club kit after a run in Cumberland
The Best Post-Run Coffee Shops in Cumberland
Where to find proper independent coffee after a run in Cumberland, from Carlisle and Keswick to the Whitehaven coast. Read more...
Runner in Ordinary Mile Club kit after a run in County Londonderry
The Best Post-Run Coffee Shops in County Londonderry
Where to take your legs after a run in County Londonderry — Derry city, the Foyle riverside and the north coast. Read more...
Runner in Ordinary Mile Club kit after a run in Ayrshire
The Best Post-Run Coffee Shops in Ayrshire
Where to take your legs after a run in Ayrshire — Ayr, Troon, Prestwick and Kilmarnock. Read more...
Runner in Ordinary Mile Club kit after a run in Bedfordshire
The Best Post-Run Coffee Shops in Bedfordshire
Where to take your legs after a run in Bedfordshire — Bedford, Luton, Dunstable, Ampthill and Biggleswade. Read more...
Runner in Ordinary Mile Club kit after a run in Northumberland
The Best Post-Run Coffee Shops in Northumberland
Where to take your legs after a run in Northumberland — Hexham, Alnwick, the coast and Holy Island. Read more...
Runner in Ordinary Mile Club kit after a run in Lancashire
The Best Post-Run Coffee Shops in Lancashire
Where to take your legs after a run in Lancashire — Preston, Lancaster, the Fylde coast and the Ribble Valley. Read more...
Runner in Ordinary Mile Club kit after a run in County Down
The Best Post-Run Coffee Shops in County Down
Where to get proper coffee and cake after a run in Bangor, Holywood, Newtownards, Newry and Newcastle. Read more...