Back from Boston with strengthened hearts and well-earned race medals. #crewlove #tearswereshed #bostonmarathon #SOproud #imrunningipromise #rundemcrew http://bit.ly/1805mAS
I LOVE THIS SO MUCH!
Peloton of Awesome. #running @nbrorunning @rdcbridgethegap @harbourrunners @pattarunningteam @paris_rc & co. by chriswatt44 http://bit.ly/12IzwUO
PLZKTHNX. http://bit.ly/Z8G9Bi
Nice swag from @nikeuk! #weownthenight by englishstereo http://instagram.com/p/Ze881Lx94a/
#cheedemcrew #rdc #rundemcrew #crewlove #wotn #shitmedal #champagne #powerup #cheering nikewomen #elleuk #10k #running #picstitch by mooniemistress5 http://bit.ly/189vdDY
Starting to quite like the #wotn friendship bracelets by emilyjones_ http://bit.ly/10dIXMd
(via therebelrunner)
Members of Run Dem Crew are often found hanging out on the Nike Running UK Facebook page. Mike makes it look so eeeeaaasy.
Done and dusted. Last night nearly 4000 women ran 10 kilometres through Victoria Park. Nice work, ladies, I’m happy and proud.
Nike threw down in style and hosted a brilliant event full of light, music and a LOT of orange. The Elle UK, Nike tent and the media tent were buzzing and it was so nice to see so many people that I’ve worked and trained with over the past three years. Yesterday was basically like a massive reunion for me.
The race, for me, went as expected. I ran so much more than I thought I could, but still slowed down to walk a bit and stretch out a horrible stitch I had between the third and sixth kilometre. Saima, Clara, Eman and I stuck together throughout much of the course while Bwalya skipped off into the distance - she was in her element! It was amazing to see Eman and Saima gain confidence and push through to pull off in the last quarter of the race. I think I’m best at supporting and I kept checking in to see how everyone was feeling. It was a pleasure to keep Clara going right to the end and we kept it chilled and finished off with a zippy sprint and a can of gin & tonic that Kirby handed over as she cheered us at the 100m mark. I don’t drink so my present was a sachet of ketchup (don’t ask, I didn’t).
My favourite thing about the whole event was the fact that much of the course was lined by the hundreds and hundreds of boyfriends, husbands and kids who came to support the runners. It was so touching to witness! My boyfriend and his housemate (Eman’s boyfriend) moved around the course so we saw them cheering at four different points during the race. SO GOOD! Lots of high fives and “YOU’RE MY BEAUTIFUL RUNNING GODDESS, KEEP GOING!” shouts. Hilarious and so needed. You guys are the best!
Cheer Dem Crew nearly made me weep. Jesus, Run Dem love can be so emotional. Chevy was up ahead on the lookout for Run Dem girls and then we ran through a tunnel of Run Dem dudes, waving banners and shouting support. I love you guys! #MILE21 is unparalleled. Special shout to half of the Incline Accelerators shouting SARAH MEI! SARAH MEI! I will not repeat Dommy’s own brand of motivation, just know it was LOLZ.
The We Own The Night coloured lights and flashing bracelets were gorgeous and the motivational signs and banners designed by Nike for the event were great to see. The music was brilliant, although the quiet parts of the course took their toll. Shouts to Josey Rebelle, Martelo and Lynda Phoenix for making the run feel like the dancefloor.
Having seen the Nike, Elle, Exposure, AKQA and Slice teams working on this event the day I shot the Elle Edit collection in March, I’ve seen how much planning and hard graft has gone into this. So appreciated, guys!
The outcome was a fun race and evening event where thousands of women ran, raced and beat personal records. Most significantly, so many of these women were inspired or motivated to try something they hadn’t done before. It was nice to do something just for the ladies as so many sporting events in the UK are dominated by men, which is often quite intimidating for women who feel that they couldn’t possibly join in or compete. Bwalya, Saima, Clara and Eman are all new to running and committed to doing something entirely new over the past few weeks leading up to last night. I’m so, so proud of you girls. You SMASHED IT.
I’m really glad I was asked to do this event, it’s been brilliant the whole way through. I broke my own personal best last night for a 10k. Not quite a speedy 45 minutes (add a half hour to that), but the last time I ran that distance was with Run Dem at some point last summer when we ran to the Olympic Stadium and back. I’m proud of me. HIGH FIVE ME! WOOOH!
We owned it last night, ladies. The girl crews SMASHED IT. Well done us!
Post-race posing for Nike’s social media photographers. Run Like Elle and I’m Running I Promise on deck. NIGHT OWNED. #weownthenight http://bit.ly/Z56n7O
SMASHED IT. #weownthenight #10Kdone #nike #elleuk http://instagram.com/p/ZeDwpUpHho/
Pre-race with some of the girl crew. The ladies smashed it today! #WeOwnTheNight #nike #basketballwivesofhackney http://bit.ly/16GC0Hg
Ready to roll for #WeOwnTheNight. Race essentials include a bracelet from @elleuk and @nike. Storm Fit for this beautiful winter weather we’re having ☔❄ and #TWOBRAS because ladies, we don’t all have fashion boobz so #protectyourassets. http://bit.ly/10bJ76P
I’ve been chilling like a villain on the NikeStore website lately. Click the photo for the article about Elle UK ladies finding their running feet.
So, race day is here. The fourth race I’ve signed up to but the second I’m running.
I’ve pulled out of two half marathons before now, opting to cheer for my crew rather than make my existing injuries worse.
But tonight, I’m RUNNING! This race is in my hometown and I am EXCITED.
True to style, I haven’t really trained for it, I’ve kind of just been panic running once or twice a week either on my own or with Eman. But tonight, me and my unofficial (BUT SO OFFICIAL) girl crew (The Basketball Wives of Hackney) will be pounding pavement in Victoria Park.
Eman and Bwalya are both new to running and we share a love of complaining about it (I still don’t love running, nothing’s changed).Eman, ratings to her, has been out, after work, running home, or through Regent’s Park putting in the practice for this evening’s event. She injured her ankle on Wednesday though, so tonight we’ll be taking in the atmosphere rather than tearing through the course (LOL at the very thought of me running at speed anyway).
Eman and I run at comfortable 11-12 minute miles and so does Saima who is also joining us tonight. Bwalya has been training solo due to work hours. Up until now she’s been running in a pair of Maharam X Nike Skinny Dunk Highs which I gave to her about a year ago. I’ve been pestering her for weeks to go and get a gait analysis and she did that on Wednesday, learning that she over-pronates slightly and she’d be best in a pair of LunarGlide+ 4 trainers. Luckily, I had a pair to give her (they’re unfortunately not the recommended trainers for me) so we exchanged dinner for fresh footwear (thank you Nike for helping me to help my friends). Turns out though, that Bwalya, although she’s been panicking and moaning about her fear for this race, actually runs 8 minute miles. 8 MINUTE MILES. That’s 4 minutes faster than the rest of us. If she whinges at any point tonight, I will demand a piggyback.
Anyway, the race kicks off at 8pm and I can’t wait to see the sea of neon orange tshirts as girl crews unite and run by night, surrounded by light, music and vibes. I’m really looking forward to it.
Shouts to the crews out in Copenhagen, running the marathon tomorrow. You’ll smash it! Party after party after party by the sounds of it (NBRO are the ULTIMATE party crew). #mamarun #braidgang #bridgethegap