… on running

Running for me isn’t new. Can’t figure out exactly when I started but I know I was consistent 2019/2020… running 5Ks in the mornings, before getting ready for work. 

Actually it was this way. A 5k, come in and spend about 30 minutes on the piano, then nap before work. 

I’ve recently gotten into running a lot more. Allows me think. It’s an opportunity to push myself and see my body reach PRs in realtime. And most of all, I get to explore, see new places and beautiful buildings. 

In fact, today I figured I’ve seen most of West & North-West London on foot.

I don’t put pressure on myself to run. I try to do it once a week. This week, twice. But no pressure. It’s a fun activity and I’m not trying to win any medals. 

Today, I did my farthest single run – 12km. Pretty good pace as well. 

Not sure if I’ll ever do a marathon – I think I’d love to. For now, I’ll keep running… from whatever, towards whatever.

Happy I’ve found something else that gives me joy. 

Anyway, while running, I’m in my head a lot, notice things a lot and I’m going to state a few things I discovered recently:

• I’m extremely frightened  by flocks of birds. Had to beg someone to run through a path with me because I just couldn’t go past the birds.
• Running uphill is tiring but running a steep downhill is hell. Not fun on your bum or the body in general. 
• One way to stretch your body during a run is to spot something in the far distance and mentally push yourself to get to it; then when you’re closer, pick something else, and keep going. 
• Having conversations with yourself helps you forget you’re running and before you know it, you’ve gone farther than you’d expect. When I remember I’m running, I’m like ughhh… take me backkk. 
• How would I run if music didn’t exist???
• Whatever song you like should be  on your running playlist. For a very long time, I felt like I had to run with upbeat music. We thought the tempo helped me run faster. Last week, I hit a new PR running while listening to Christmas carols and that’s when I realiseddd… I can finally be free from afrobeatsss.

That’s all for now. I’ll very like add as I remember.