In reply to tony:
> Good news all round - improving times and losing weight - nice one! If you can, think about joining an actual running group. It doesn't need to be a club, but running with like-minded people always makes things a bit easier, and pretty much everyone I know who's joined a club or a group has improved their times.
I tried running with the New Forest Runners but found that I couldn't always run when they did. Also, I really do enjoy running alone, especially in the forest. It's a great opportunity for mindfulness and I don't enjoy chatting while running.
If I stick with the road running then I might consider a local club for a trial. Thanks for the advice