‘ellooo runner 👋 This week’s RunLetters brings you a half marathon in London for which you can still enter the ballot right now, until 5pm GMT today. Besides that, we’ve got nutrition tips, headphones, and more.

Voted? Amazing. Now let’s get started ⤵️

Alright, hear me out on this one. You might be thinking, “Why is this the watchlist this week?” But I think there’s something comforting about this video.

First of all, Haley signs up for a half marathon without realizing it is a trail race. That alone sets the tone. Her training is not perfect: she misses days, she struggles, she gets demotivated.

On race day, she shows up not fully knowing what a trail race actually means. She is surprised by the course, holds her phone in her hand for most of the race, and she is not wearing trail shoes. It is not super technical, but it is definitely not a flat road race either. Oh, and she thinks she is further along than she actually is, more than once (anyone else experienced that during a race? I’m raising my hand).

It is her first half marathon ever and her first trail race ever. And you can feel that in every part of the video.

From a running perspective, she represents where so many of us start. Not polished or perfect. Just someone signing up, showing up, and learning along the way.

Haley Pham is well known on YouTube as a book reviewer and also as the wife of Ryan Trahan. But I am guessing most of you have never heard her name before.

If you've ever wondered whether you actually need that energy gel at mile 8, or if you're eating the right things for your long runs, Siân Secc has the answers.

Siân creates content about running and sports nutrition. She has a Master's degree in Sports Nutrition and shares helpful advice on Instagram and TikTok. She takes complicated nutrition science and turns it into simple tips that any runner can use.

Her content covers everything from what to eat before a run to how to pick the best meal deal at the store for recovery. She also talks about making sure you're eating enough to support your training.

Right now on Instagram, she's running a "Marathon Fuel School" series packed with helpful tips if you want to fuel well for your upcoming marathon. And honestly, the advice works for any race distance. Fueling matters whether you're running a 10K or an ultra.

What makes Siân worth following is that she keeps things simple. She's not pushing expensive supplements or extreme diets. Instead, she helps runners understand why certain foods and timing work, so you can make smart choices that fit your own training and life.

If you're training for a marathon, trying to figure out your fueling, or just want to understand running nutrition better, @siansecc is a solid follow.

If you have ever wanted to run a half marathon in London, this is your sign! The ballot for this half marathon closes today at 5pm GMT! Sign up here.

The Royal Parks Half Marathon takes you right through the heart of the city. You run past Buckingham Palace, then flow through Hyde Park, Green Park, and St James’s Park. Lots of trees, wide paths, and famous landmarks all around you.

Big city energy, but with a green feel (it’s the “greenest race of its kind in the UK”). It’s also London’s original half marathon! Many runners say it “feels like a big half, without being too hectic or stressful.”

The course is mostly flat, which makes this race a great option whether you want to run strong or just enjoy the experience and soak it all in. It’s also a perfect option for those running their first half.

On top of all that, you can easily turn this into a city trip. Fly in (or grab the train if you’re in the UK), run the race, grab good food (so many good restaurants in London), walk everywhere, and enjoy the city for a few days after.

One important note:
⏰ The ballot closes today at 5pm London time (GMT). Sign up here.

If London is on your running bucket list, this is a good moment to throw your name in.

If you run outside often, bone conduction headphones might be one of those purchases you did not know you needed. The Shokz OpenRun let you listen to music or podcasts while keeping your ears completely open to the world around you.

That means you can still hear cars, bikes, and other runners. Basically everything that is going on. For road running, city runs, or busy trails, that is a pretty big safety bonus. But it also just feels better. You stay more connected to your surroundings instead of being completely cut off.

They are light, secure, and once they are on, you kind of forget about them. No bouncing. No fiddling mid run. No worrying they will fall out when you pick up the pace.

Battery life is solid. They handle sweat and rain well. And they use actual buttons instead of finicky touch controls that never work when your hands are wet.

With 37,000+ reviews on Amazon and a 4.5-star average rating, it is clear these work for a lot of runners. This is Shokz’s most budget-friendly option, but for many of us, it is more than good enough.

👉 Check them out here.

A few people jumped on this trend across all types of industries. But if you ask me, @josh_jogs absolutely nailed it.

This is the kind of video you might want to forward to those running friends who never fuel properly, are always injured, and somehow still brag about how little sleep they get 😝

I want to ask you a favor: hit reply on this email and send me one suggestion for another edition! A video, a runner we should all follow, a race/event, or gear/gadgets worth featuring. I check every email, promise.

Thank you for reading another edition of RunLetters. I appreciate you!

Have a beautiful weekend (with hopefully a run?!) ☀️

Caroline

P.S. Here are some questions from the RunLetters Run Club - join to answer!