How do you actually build running confidence?

This week on The Runna Podcast, Coach Ben sat down with content creator and runner Anna Sitar to unpack her journey from beginner runner to training for the marathon in New York back in November.

What started as a simple goal to finish her first marathon turned into a deeper commitment to structured marathon training, performance, and proving she was capable of far more than she believed.

Ahead of her third marathon, Anna reflected on the importance of doing hard things before feeling ready, and shared the mindset shifts that helped her overcome self-doubt. She talks honestly about navigating the ups and downs of running, staying motivated, and finding confidence as a new runner.

In this episode you’ll hear:

🧠 The Confidence Trap: Why you don’t need to feel ‘ready’ to start running

🏙 London Marathon Lessons: Surviving the ‘bonk’ and building resilience

🎯 Training for NYC: How to balance ambition, fear, and fun during marathon training

Whether you’re a beginner runner or chasing your next marathon PB, this conversation is a reminder that confidence is built by showing up, one run at a time.

🎧 Follow along for new episodes every Friday with Olympians, World Record Holders, and inspiring voices form the running community.

🎁 Try Runna FREE for 2 weeks with code PODCAST25: https://web.runna.com/redeem?code=PODCAST25

📺 Watch the full episode → youtube.com/@therunnapodcast

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Starting running is easy. Sticking with it is the hard part.

In this New Year episode, Ben and Anya break down exactly how to build running consistency and avoid another stop-start cycle that fades by February.

Whether you’re looking for beginner running advice, returning after time off, or setting your goals for 2026, this episode is designed to help you build consistency without burnout, avoid the all-or-nothing mindset, and finally make running part of your life - not just your race calendar.

What You'll Learn:

👟Why most runners struggle to stay consistent (and how to fix it)

🧠The all-or-nothing trap that leads to burnout, injury, and quitting

👥 Why starting smaller than you think leads to bigger long-term results

📅 How scheduling your runs properly changes everything

🎧 Finding joy in running - even when motivation is low

📛 Why bad runs don’t matter (and how to bounce back fast)

👟Simple tricks to reduce friction and actually get out the door

This isn’t about chasing PBs or signing up for another event. It’s about becoming someone who runs.

🎧 New episodes every Friday with Olympic legends, elite runners, and expert coaching advice.

🎉Is this the year you become a Runna? Try our new and improved plans: https://www.runna.com/en-gb/training/new-to-running-plan

🎁 Try Runna FREE for 2 weeks with code PODCAST25: https://web.runna.com/redeem?code=PODCAST25

📺 Watch the full episode → youtube.com/@therunnapodcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ready for your ultimate 2025 Running Wrapped? 🎄

Join us as Ben & Anya share their biggest lessons, set ambitious 2026 running goals and give you the ultimate running motivation ahead of the New Year.

In this episode, we cover:

🎧The Runna Podcast Wrapped: Your favourite moments from 2025

🏆 Best of 2025: Top running gear, races, and PBs

⭐ Guest Highlights

📊 Strava Year In Sport Showdown: Ben vs Anya

🎯 2026 Goal Setting

🎁Christmas gift exchange!

Thank you to everyone who has listened, subscribed, and shared the podcast this year - we can’t wait to bring you more episodes in January!🎄

🎧 New episodes every Friday with Olympic legends, elite runners, and expert coaching advice.

🎁 Try Runna FREE for 2 weeks with code PODCAST25: https://web.runna.com/redeem?code=PODCAST25

📺 Watch the full episode → youtube.com/@therunnapodcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.