#non-running

[imrunningipromise]

"FMEE"

Today’s run done. 1.3 miles. Or something equally pathetic. However, it doesn’t matter how far I run, I just have to actually leave the house at a faster pace than a walk and return at some point over 5 minutes later.

  I didn’t run this morning because I was busy (putting it off), so I had to run this evening. I did a loop from my boyfriend’s place which involved hills (one down and one up). I strategically planned it so that the steeper hill would be the one I ran down because I am smart (lazy).

  I wore new trainers yesterday (the beautiful Curtis Kulig and Vans collaboration) which ripped up my feet and gave me lovely blisters on my heels. Nothing that Scholl blister plasters can’t remedy and they were even fine when I stepped out in four inch stiletto courts last night for my valentine’s date. While we’re on the subject of my fab stilettos, I actually forgot to wear the gel pads that protect the balls of your feet from getting bruised. I recall one guy (twat) last night asking if I was struggling as I tip-toed [in the four inches] over a cobbled road. I laughed and then said, ‘no, actually, I’m all good’, while I cursed the retarded choice of paving in my head. I digress.

Today I had actually remembered to pack a sports bra so I could run instead of shuffle very quickly like I did on Day 1 (who am I kidding?! it wasn't even that quick) but I had to wear a Don't Trust Anyone bright yellow tshirt, a yellowy-green windrunner, black leggings with a crimson stripe near the ankle and navy HUF weed socks. It was a mix of several wardrobes, not all my own. I looked ridiculous. I hate black and navy in the same outfit. I like to be comfortable when I run, but I'm even more comfortable when I'm not overly self-conscious that I look like a blind man styled me.

Basically, blisters on my heels, bruised feet (totally worth it) and donned in a non-Power Ranger-esque running kit, but I ran anyway. I yelled to my boyfriend on my way out of the door that I might need him to pick me up if either bruises or blisters rendered me a sobbing mess half a mile down the road. He said something back but I was already gone like the wind (LOL, yeah right).

  Blah blah blah running running running. Only walked twice but ran on all the main roads so that to everyone sitting in traffic I looked like I was coping.

  Got back and boyfriend says ‘oh, your stats are already on Twitter’.

ME: ‘Yeah, but it was only a mile and I had to do a lap around the square because I didn’t choose a long enough route’.

BOYF: *continues to read Twitter timeline* ‘Ah, my mate’s just “crushed a 9.8 mile run”, it looks like he uses the same app’.

ME: ‘FML’.

BOYF: ‘Yeah, but he’s training for a triple marathon’.

ME: ‘FUCK MY ENTIRE EXISTENCE’. (sorry if you’re reading this, mum).

  I sulked in the shower for 10 minutes and stood there with the Original Source Black Mint shower gel lathered all over me in a thick layer in a desperate attempt to cool down and stop sweating. FYI, don’t bother buying the Black Mint edition, it’s no different to the normal mint one except for the fact that it’s a really dark green as opposed to normal green. I thought it might smell vaguely cologne-y (I like cologne-y kind of smells), but it doesn’t.

  All in all, disappointing on every level except for the Scholl blister plasters which both stayed intact.

[imrunningipromise]

Running and non-running.

Hi. My name is Sarah Mei and I hate running.

I have always hated running. Mainly because I am not very good at it and my self-discipline is not strong (non-existent) when it comes to pain thresholds. I am what you call a ‘fassy’.

However, about a year and a half ago, I started actual running as being lazy wasn’t fun anymore. I ran on and off, but mostly on (a credit to myself [gold star for me]) for about a year, usually with Run Dem Crew but, every now and again, on my own (another gold star for me).

  And then I stopped.

Months went by and occasionally I’d run but I couldn’t enjoy it anymore. (I kind of never enjoyed it, but there’s something about running with a huge group of people that feels exhilarating). Right now I’m definitely back in the I HATE RUNNING zone.

  I set up this blog in 2011 expecting it to last until the Berlin half marathon on the 1st of April last year. But I didn’t stop running after that race and the responses to my honest take on running and my injuries were so positive so I kept posting on here. (FYI, I love the messages and emails I get from other people in the I HATE RUNNING zone. I feel like we should start a club, guys).

  So much changed for me as I got caught up in the running movement. I have met people who have changed my life and those who have helped develop my perspective. I have travelled so much and have been lucky enough to experience unforgettable hospitality from Nike, Graviteam, Patta, Bridge Runners and Black Roses. I have met people from all over the world, I’ve reached out and made contacts with interesting individuals, I’ve found friends I’ll never get enough of, I’ve found myself on important radars and been overwhelmed that my opinion sometimes matters. It’s not often that things like this happen for a twenty-something year old girl from London who hates running.

So this, even though I’m crap at it and I hate it, is why I’m reluctant to not run. There are people who support me and I will never not appreciate this.

I’m a creature of habit who has accepted that change is often the best thing, so, in the spirit of change, I’m giving up non-running for Lent.

  I am not remotely religious (bar a few Chinese superstitions), but forty days of running is a good idea (credit to Bridget Minamore [@bridgetminamore], OG Run Dem Crew Younger, poetic extraordinaire and a funnier-than-you-wish-you-were young lady). Forty days is not a lot (by day three it will feel like forEVER, no doubt), but I cannot expect to enjoy change unless I put it into motion myself.

  Today is day 1 out of 40. I ran 1 kilometer. 1. One. Not even a mile. In fact, the main reason I ran was to get hair serum from Boots on the high street because I’ve run out and can’t wash and dry my hair without it (don’t judge me, my hair stylist says I have amazing hair and she knows everything about hair). Tomorrow I think I’m going to run for donuts (my local Tesco has FINALLY started stocking Krispey Kremes and this is worth a celebration).

  1 kilometer is better than no kilometers. Well done me.

[therunningbostonian-blog-blog]

In which the Pru gets ROCKED by that RIDICULOUS storm last night.