Who run the world? GIRLS!

Today I thought I’d take some time to talk about running. I started running less than a year ago and I couldn’t even run for a minute without being knackered. I’ve slowly built it up to 5k which I can do reasonably comfortably. Not quickly, but comfortably. I’ve just come back from my first 5k run since before the winter and it took me 37 minutes, which is rubbish but it was without stopping and paced well. So here are my top tips:

Preparation 

• Choose comfortable clothing. There is nothing worse than things hanging off you, not fitting properly, being too warm, or not warm enough. I personally love Adidas clothing as I find it fits me well and most importantly their trousers often have tie cords which is a MUST for me as without they tend to fall down quite quickly. 
• Fasten your trousers. There are so many times I’ve been running down the street whilst attempting to tie my bottoms as they have been falling down. Not a good look. 
• Choose good shoes. Most runners will get their shoes fitted properly. I’m not a proper runner, nor can I afford that but if you can it’s worth investing. 
• Tie your shoes. It’ll provide good ankle support and keep you comfortable. Make sure your laces aren’t bobbing around too. 
• Choose a good bra. This applies to females only. I can’t stress this strongly enough. As a big boobed individual I struggle at certain times of the month to run at all. Damn hormones. But if you make sure you have the proper support it will help with that. I am still yet to find the perfect bra but then, as a significantly left heavy girl, I’ve struggled this all of my life. I’m currently looking to invest in a new bra as my trusty Debenhams one just doesn’t have the level of support I need and my Panache one has been dyed in the wash and, quite frankly, isn’t of great quality. I remember having a Shock Absorber in my smaller chested days. I may invest in a new one. 

 

 

• Clear your airways. I find nothing more annoying than a blocked nose. So before I go anywhere I blow it and use my Sudafed nasal spray, which I swear by. There is nothing worse than those gross guys who cover one nostril and forcefully empty the other one of its contents onto the street. Don’t be that guy. I also suffer occasionally with a tight chest so I might use my inhaler. 
• Choose your weather. I can’t run outside in the winter. It’s just too bad on my chest. If you don’t suffer, then it’s fine just make sure you have a wind breaker and a headband.  I find the best running seasons, in the UK are spring and summer. Autumns temperature is perfect but there are damn slippy leaves everywhere. In Autumn and Winter I use a treadmill. You may prefer treadmill running all year round but I personally find this more difficult as its a consistent pace and it is boring as hell. If you are running on a treadmill I suggest watching a film your haven’t seen before, on your phone. It passes the time. 
• Choose your playlist. Running can be difficult and you want to have fun so make sure you have a playlist set and that it is motivating and something you want to listen to. Have your favourites at the beginning and at the end to encourage motivation and boost you at the end. I personally think drum and bass is the God of running music but house is quite good too. Spotify have a cool feature that matches your pace to the bpm of songs and makes a playlist for you. The only problem is you have no say in the songs and can spend half of your life skipping tracks. Spotify premium is one of the best perks of my phone contract but I would definitely pay for it if it didn’t come free. Some tracks I like:

1. Run the World (Girls), Beyoncé
2. Two Minds, Nero
3. Bangarang, Skrillex
4. Take me Home, Cash Cash
5. Turn Back Time, Sub Focus
6. Control, Matrix and Futurebound
7. Antidote, Swedish House Mafia
8. Bonfire, Knife Party

• Choose your route. Use a website like Strava to plan a route beforehand so you aren’t spending half of your run deciding on a direction. I was going to put my Strava route on here. However, although I would like virtual followers, the life of the pied piper never did interest me. 
• Choose the path of least resistance. Choose roads with few curbs and dips. It bad for your knees. Choose flat surfaces to start as an incline will just make it harder. Choose places that aren’t muddy. Running is hard enough without skipping and sliding around. 
• Have somewhere to put your phone. I use the arm band in the picture. It’s not the most comfortable thing but it does the job. I’m also looking for some wireless headphones as the wire often bugs me. Oh and turn your phone on silent so it doesn’t keep alerting you to texts etc. 
• Hydrate. Make sure you’ve had some water beforehand so you don’t have to carry a bottle. 
• Have something to eat. You need the energy. Today I had a Maxi Nutrition protein bar. 
• Tie your hair back. Need no explanation. 
• Warm up. Do some star jumps, stretches and walking. I like to foam roll because I have bad hips. 
• Detach your keys from the big bunch. You don’t need your car key and your care bare key ring on the run. There is usually a small key pocket in your trousers. 

You’re now ready to leave

• Use a running app like Strava. It will tell you when you have reached preset milestones and record timings which you can compare later.  
• Start slow. If you go like the clappers at the beginning you won’t last long. Build it up. Or don’t. I like to keep at a comfortable pace. 
• Vary your pace. If you’re tired slow down or if you feel you can go faster, give it a try. 
• If you get a cramp or a stitch, take a break and stretch it out. You don’t want to cause too much damage. 
• Enjoy your surroundings. Take the time to look what’s around. Today I noticed how big some of the houses close to me are and, as the travelling fair was in town, some of the local scallies. My though process can go from ‘ah daffodils, plastic bag, SQUIRREL, cute child, weird man, nice church, SQUIRREL.’ I’m something of a squirrel enthusiast.  I also use the time to think so today I was revising some work stuff. 

  

   
• Don’t be self conscious. Don’t think about what other people think about you. You probably enter their kind for less than a minute. Nobody cares what you look like. 
• Push yourself. But don’t push it to much. If you’re about to collapse, it’s time to go home. 
• Breathe. In through previously cleared nose, out through mouth. Concentrate on it. 

When you have done your run

• Cool down. A short walk will suffice. 
• Stretch. Your muscles will thank you later. 
• Be proud of what you’ve achieved. No matter how small. Running is tough. You’ve done a good job. No matter how rotten you feel or sweaty you look. 

 

 
What I’d like to try. 

As already mentioned a new bra and some wireless headphones but I’d also be interested to try out a Fitbit or Apple Watch, although I hear it doesn’t support Spotify or GPS without your phone. If your have any suggestions of tips on this matter please please comment! 

GIRLS, WE RUN THIS MOTHER

🧳 UNPACKED

From Zero to 5K: This was April 2016 in The Gym Era when I’d gone from “can’t run for one minute” to comfortably running 5K. Not fast (37 minutes), but without stopping. Running is brutal when you start, so here’s everything I learned the hard way.

The Gear That Actually Matters:

Clothing: Adidas fit me well (trousers with tie cords are essential or mine fall down mid-run). Get comfortable, properly fitted clothes – too warm, too cold, or constantly adjusting ruins everything.

The Bra Situation: As a “significantly left heavy girl” with big boobs, this deserves its own section. Sports bra support is NON-NEGOTIABLE. I tried Debenhams (not enough support), Panache (poor quality, got dyed in wash), and remembered Shock Absorber working in my smaller-chested days. Finding the right bra when you’re busty and asymmetrical is a journey.

Shoes – The Update: When I wrote this in 2016, I couldn’t afford proper shoe fitting. I eventually did get fitted, and it was absolutely worth it. If you can’t afford it now, don’t let that stop you from starting – but when you can, invest in proper fitting. Your knees, ankles, and running performance will dramatically improve.

The Prep Nobody Tells You:

• Clear your airways (Sudafed nasal spray = lifesaver, nobody wants to be the gross nostril-clearing guy)
• Use your inhaler if needed for tight chest
• Tie. Your. Trousers. Running while trying to tie falling-down bottoms is not cute
• Detach keys from the massive keyring (there’s a pocket for a reason)
• Eat something (Maxi Nutrition protein bar for me)
• Hydrate beforehand so you don’t carry a bottle

Music Matters: Drum and bass is God-tier running music. House works too. Spotify’s pace-matching feature exists but you spend half your time skipping tracks. Spotify Premium is worth every penny (came free with my contract at the time but I pay for it now).

My Running Playlist Highlights: Beyoncé, Nero, Skrillex, Cash Cash, Sub Focus, Matrix & Futurebound, Swedish House Mafia, Knife Party.

Route Planning: Use Strava to plan routes beforehand. Choose flat, even surfaces to start. Avoid curbs, dips, mud. Your knees will thank you.

During The Run:

• Start slow or you won’t last
• Enjoy surroundings (squirrels! I’m a squirrel enthusiast)
• Don’t be self-conscious – nobody cares what you look like
• Breathe: in through (cleared) nose, out through mouth
• If you get cramps, stretch them out

Essential Running Kit:

• 📦 Pack here: Shock Absorber high-impact sports bra
• 📦 Pack here: Phone armband for runs
• 📦 Pack here: Wireless Bluetooth running headphones
• 📦 Pack here: Sudafed nasal spray for clear airways
• 📦 Pack here: Maxi Nutrition protein bars
• 📦 Pack here: Fitbit or running watch with GPS

Worth Knowing: Running from “can’t run one minute” to 5K takes time. Be proud of every small achievement. Red face and chest? Normal. Sweaty mess? Badge of honour. The important bit is you did it.