THE JOURNAL

THE
ORDINARY
TIMES

Training notes, gear no one asked for, and existential running content. Written for remarkably average people.

THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF

The Best Post-Run Coffee Shops in Monmouthshire
From Newport to the Wye Valley: the best independent coffee for Monmouthshire runners. Read more...
The Best Post-Run Coffee Shops in Angus & Dundee
Where Dundee, Broughty Ferry and Arbroath runners refuel — specialty coffee, waterfront miles and mandatory cake. Read more...
The Best Post-Run Coffee Shops in Dorset
Seafront miles, then specialty coffee: the best independent cafés in Bournemouth, Poole and Dorchester. Read more...
The Best Post-Run Coffee Shops in Gloucestershire
The best independent coffee in Cheltenham, Gloucester and Stroud for runners who take cake seriously. Read more...
The Best Post-Run Coffee Shops in Derbyshire
Where Derbyshire runs end: the best independent coffee from Derby and Chesterfield to the Monsal Trail. Read more...
The Best Post-Run Coffee Shops in Somerset
Champion baristas, canal towpaths and a parkrun called Longrun — the runner's coffee guide to Bath, Taunton and Somerset. Read more...
The Best Post-Run Coffee Shops in Norfolk
Market-stall espresso, laneway roasters and six branches of bakery temptation — the runner's coffee guide to Norwich and Norfolk. Read more...
The Best Post-Run Coffee Shops in Leicestershire
From Leicester's Cultural Quarter to Loughborough's café-of-the-year — where runners in the county of Olympians refuel properly. Read more...
The Best Post-Run Coffee Shops in Cambridgeshire
Flat miles, serious roasters and structurally unsound Chelsea buns — the runner's coffee guide to Cambridge, Ely, Peterborough and beyond. Read more...
The Best Post-Run Coffee Shops in Hampshire
Where to earn your flat white in Southampton, Winchester and Southsea — the county guide for runners who take recovery caffeine seriously. Read more...
The Best Post-Run Coffee Shops in Oxfordshire
Oxford's best independent coffee for the post-run flat white — Vaults & Garden under the Radcliffe Camera, BREW and more. Read more...
The Best Post-Run Coffee Shops in County Antrim
Belfast's best independent coffee for the post-run flat white — Established, Neighbourhood, Napoleon and the Cathedral Quarter scene. Read more...
The Best Post-Run Coffee Shops in Aberdeenshire
Aberdeen's best independent coffee for the post-run flat white — The Cult of Coffee, Foodstory and the granite city's scene. Read more...
The Best Post-Run Coffee Shops in Glamorgan
Cardiff's best independent coffee for the post-run flat white — Sibling, Waterloo Tea and the Welsh capital's scene. Read more...
The Best Post-Run Coffee Shops in Cornwall
Home of Origin Coffee: Cornwall's best independent post-run coffee, from the Porthleven roastery to the harbour towns. Read more...
The Best Post-Run Coffee Shops in Devon
Exeter and Plymouth's best independent coffee for the post-run flat white — Devon Coffee, Press House, Sato and more. Read more...
The Best Post-Run Coffee Shops in Cheshire
Chester and beyond: Cheshire's best independent coffee for the post-run flat white, from Jaunty Goat to The Flower Cup. Read more...
The Best Post-Run Coffee Shops in North Yorkshire
York's best independent coffee for the post-run flat white — Spring Espresso, Gatehouse in a medieval barbican, and more. Read more...
The Best Post-Run Coffee Shops in South Yorkshire
Sheffield's best independent coffee for the post-run flat white — Tamper, Steam Yard, Foundry, Marmadukes and more. Read more...
The Best Post-Run Coffee Shops in Sussex
Brighton, Hove and beyond: Sussex's best independent coffee shops for the post-run flat white, from Redroaster to 44 Poets. Read more...
The Best Post-Run Coffee Shops in Glasgow
Dear Green, Papercup, Cafe Strange Brew and Short Long Black: Glasgow's best independent post-run coffee. Read more...
The Best Post-Run Coffee Shops in Edinburgh
Artisan Roast, Fortitude, Machina and Lowdown: Edinburgh's best independent post-run coffee in Britain's most caffeinated city. Read more...
The Best Post-Run Coffee Shops in Bristol
Small Street Espresso, Full Court Press, Swevern and more: Bristol's best independent post-run coffee. Read more...
The Best Post-Run Coffee Shops in Nottingham
Effy, Cartwheel, the original 200 Degrees and more: Nottingham's best independent post-run coffee. Read more...
The Best Post-Run Coffee Shops in Birmingham
Quarter Horse, Faculty, 200 Degrees and Medicine Bakery: Birmingham's best independent post-run coffee and cake. Read more...
The Best Post-Run Coffee Shops in Newcastle
Pink Lane, Laneway & Co, Tiny Tiny and more: Newcastle's best independent coffee for the post-run flat white. Read more...
The Best Post-Run Coffee Shops in Liverpool
Bold Street Coffee, 92 Degrees, Crosby and more: Liverpool's best independent coffee for the post-run flat white. Read more...
The Best Post-Run Coffee Shops in Leeds
Laynes, North Star, Kapow and more: Leeds' best independent coffee shops for the post-run flat white and cake. Read more...
The Best Post-Run Coffee Shops in Manchester
Ancoats, the Northern Quarter and beyond: Manchester's best independent coffee shops for the post-run flat white and cruffin. Read more...
The Best Post-Run Coffee Shops in the Home Counties
St Albans, Tring, Bishop's Stortford, Windsor, Milton Keynes and beyond: the home counties' best independent post-run coffee. Read more...
The Best Post-Run Coffee Shops in Surrey
Guildford, the Surrey Hills and beyond: the county's best independent coffee for the post-run flat white, pour-over and cake. Read more...
The Best Post-Run Coffee Shops in Kent
Canterbury, Whitstable, Margate and Tunbridge Wells: Kent's best independent coffee shops for the post-run flat white and cake. Read more...
The Best Post-Run Coffee Shops in Essex
From Bobo & Wild in Chigwell to the Southend seafront: Essex's best independent coffee shops for post-run coffee and cake. Read more...
The Best Post-Run Coffee Shops in London
Nine of London's best independent coffee shops for the post-run flat white, from Borough Market institutions to City espresso bars. Read more...
The First Mile Always Lies (And Other Truths About Bad Runs)
Why the first mile of every run feels terrible, why bad runs happen to consistent people, and how to tell a bad mile from a bad idea. Read more...
In Defence of the 35-Minute 5K
The 35-minute 5K is real running done by real runners, and it's time somebody said so in print. Read more...
Why Your Race Photos Look Like That
You felt like a gazelle. The photo shows a man mid-collapse pointing at nothing. The science and acceptance of terrible race photography. Read more...
Running in British Weather: A Field Guide
Horizontal rain, surprise heatwaves, wind with a personal grudge: a field guide to running in every mood of British weather. Read more...
Parkrun Etiquette: The Unwritten Rules, Finally Written Down
First parkrun? The unwritten rules — where to stand, buggy protocol, the finish funnel, and why you must never forget your barcode. Read more...
How to Wash Running Kit So It Doesn't Smell (The Science of the Stink)
Why running kit smells fine wet and criminal five minutes into the next run — and the washing routine that actually breaks the cycle. Read more...
How Much Running Kit Do You Actually Need? A Minimalist Audit
The running industry says you need everything. Your drawer disagrees. An honest audit of essential kit vs expensive decoration. Read more...
5-Inch vs 7-Inch Running Shorts: An Honest Guide to Shorts Length
The great inseam debate, settled honestly: what 5-inch and 7-inch shorts are actually for, and which length suits which runner. Read more...
How to Stop Chafing on Long Runs: The Guide Nobody Wants to Need
Chafing is running's most democratic injury. Where it strikes, why it happens, and how to never think about it again. Read more...
What to Wear Running in Every UK Temperature
From minus 2 to a shocking 28 degrees: an honest temperature-by-temperature guide to UK running kit, including the ten-degree rule. Read more...
What to Eat Before a Morning Run (And What to Never Eat Again)
Run fasted or eat first? Toast or banana? A practical guide to pre-run food for ordinary morning runners, including the list of regrets. Read more...
Running Twice a Week: What Actually Happens
Every plan says three to five runs a week. Life says two. Here's what twice-a-week running actually gets you — which is more than you think. Read more...
How Slow Should Easy Runs Be? Slower Than That.
Your easy runs are too fast. Yes, yours. Why slow running builds fast runners, and how to actually do it without dying of embarrassment. Read more...
How to Breathe While Running (Without Sounding Like a Fax Machine)
If you sound like dial-up internet by minute three, this is for you. How to breathe while running, minus the mysticism. Read more...
Couch to 5K: What Nobody Tells You Before Week One
Couch to 5K works. It also hides a few truths in the small print. Here's what to know before week one, from people who walked the walk breaks. Read more...
How to Start Running When You're Unfit: An Honest Guide
You don't need to be fit to start running. You need shoes, low expectations, and about twenty minutes. Here's the honest version. Read more...