The time has come. I can't deny it any more. It's 'new year, new me' season, and I've vowed to get my sorry ass running in 2015, by hook or by crook. The Run Way is my journey, and it starts right here.
Oh, you know how hard it is to get yourself out the door for a run. It doesn't matter how much you feel you need it, and how well you know that you'll feel great afterwards (and even, maybe, during), your brain will always come up with umpteen excuses to get out of it.
1. You're too tired
This is my whole life. Running makes you good tired, but weirdly awake - it solves it all.
2. You've not left quite enough time before the next thing you need to do (work/ dinner/ appointment/ slobbing)
Ever thought of cutting your run down instead of missing it completely?
3. You're 'under the weather'
Are you injured? No. Have you got a fever? No. Could you be just a bit tired from work? Yes. Get out there...
4. You've just noticed the sky's looking forboding
Learning to run in January teaches you that in Britain, the weather is almost always a bit bad. Just do it already and it will be done.
So this week, despite feeling all of the above, I went for my first run in real rain. I had hit the trail in light fog, extreme cold (well, by London standards), and a bit of drizzle, but this was driving rain.
Myself and my intrepid colleague Zoe Beaty had been booked in for a Friday lunchtime trial of some new (bright pink) adidas Energy Boosttrainers, with instruction from trainer Louise George of www.bodhibabes.com. As the clock struck 1, we looked out the window to the blackest of clouds brewing over Covent Garden. Not to be deterred and donning our new training gear, we pulled up our hoods, headed out into the wilds, and warmed up as the heavens opened.
As we began to weave around the crowded streets of Soho and Bloomsbury, we deviated between sprints and jogs in a bid to fartlekify (yes, I've invented a technical term, thanks) the amount of stopping and starting at crossings. Soon we were soaked. Our hair was stringily clatted to our foreheads, our technical wear stuck to our skin. But the rain was cooling, and as the burn increased, it kept us cool. Our Energy Boosts were springily comfy, and felt secure and stable as we ducked and dived around slick pavements and sodden tarmac. Even when we were made to run up and down a set of slippery looking steps (imagine a soggy Rocky, and you're half way there), we were still standing true, if tuckered out.
The Energy Boost, much like my black and orange Supernova Glide 7s which I usually run in (like two fluffy clouds stretching perfectly round my aching feet, and are apparently designed specifically for female feet), seem to give you that bit of extra pep in your step. Obviously the other power behind it was the desire to get back to the office and dry. This driness was something which sadly eluded us as we went back to our desks like soggy doggies, but we couldn't knock that feeling of champions as people congratulated us on our grit and determination. It's just a shame the dampness manifested itself in a proper sneezy, throaty cold in the days following. Getting under the weather can leave you feeling under the weather unfortunately...