I’ve changed my tag line a few times now. It was UX designer – fashion lover – cupcake obsessive – club kid, then I switched fashion for yoga. I’ve only made two batches of cupcakes in nearly a year so I’m not quite so obsessed as I used to be. Cupcake making got replaced by running.
I thought I wouldn’t make it. I have pretty bad asthma and I love my frequent club outings. I’m busy at work and have a pretty frenetic life outside of it to maintain.
I did, however, really really really want to be good. Aside from the obvious health and fitness benefits, it actually helps me control my energy levels and keep slight mania at bay. I’m an insomniac and making sure I’m exhausted enough to sleep helps me have more energy when I need it. If left to my own devices, my lack of need for sleep becomes a pattern and before I know it, I’m burning out. Never a good look.
I’ve kind of tricked myself in to being a runner. First, last January, I aimed to complete just 20 mins at 9km/hr. Once I could do that, I moved up to 9.5km/hr. Then came my work with adidas on the MiCoach enabled F50 football boots.
Their awesome interval training plans proved to be the thing that kept me hooked. I’m on my second one and can be found at at the gym at 6.30am 3 times a week. I know, I know… I would have mocked this version of me a year ago. It was hard. It really hurt. Sometimes I didn’t want to go but I kept at it until it became a habit. 9km/hr is now the lowest limit of my ‘resting’ pace.
Since I’ve started I’ve set 23 personal bests and ran a total of 126km which has taken me 13.5 hours. I even got shin splints. To sweeten the deal, I’ve also acquired some pretty awesome running kit, mostly from Nike (sorry adidas – they have better colours). I’ve got the free runs, the wool based running top and some thermal gloves.
I cannot wait to get to run by the sea over Christmas. I’ve hit targets I never would have managed this time last year and have enjoyed it more than I ever could imagine. Not bad for someone who used to breathe like the comedy, geeky kid with glasses in the cartoons.
