Breaking my Nike Run Club virginity.
Tonight kind of overwhelmed me. I’ve had an opportunity to really sit back and assess things and all in the company of two people, one of whom is already very dear to me and the other is a new friend with whom I am discovering the beginning of what I hope to be a very long friendship.
Today, as a whole, was a good day. Had a shit night last night, I have to admit. Kind of (definitely) got a bit (hugely) frustrated with myself over my behaviour and reaction to something (or a non-thing, to be slightly less vague). I was angry and feeling sorry for myself and already sleep-deprived, so naturally, I couldn’t sleep. I slept after 2am (and I’m a lights-out-by-midnight kinda girl). I woke up not wanting to leave my bed, but work was ok once I got there. Good vibes. Met a someone for lunch, picked up my business phone from the Head Office and psyched myself up for Niketown London’s Run Club.
I’ve been meaning to run with the Nike Run Club for weeks but I haven’t previously had a reason to run around central London unless I was late. Now, of course, I’ve got a bloody half marathon to physically (and mentally) prepare myself for.
Denis and I agreed to run this week together and I promised to take him out to dinner to celebrate his birthday (from last week) afterwards. Yay! Motivation!
I bumped into Mubi yesterday and he liked the idea of joining us. More motivation.
I got a text last night from Christiana saying she would like to do the Nike Run Club with me too. Motivation a-go-go!
I told the pacers I would do the 3 mile loop, but ended up signing up for 4 miles because Christiana told me I could do it. Fucking peer pressure!
Started off alright. I had a great surge of adrenaline because I was finding the sheer novelty of me running with the Run Club so hilarious. Around the one mile mark I hit my usual wall of TOO-MUCH-PAIN and stopped. A great credit to Denis for running at a reduced pace for me and Christiana. Both of them slowed down while I tried not to dry-heave over the fence into Regents Park.
I eventually pulled myself together and actually enjoyed running the next mile or so (ssshhhh! Don’t tell anyone I said that). Christiana’s trainers started to make her ankle hurt and we slowed down again. I sorted out her laces in an effort to relieve the discomfort and then nearly fell into a bush because I stood up too quickly. Nice one.
Then we got lost. For three London dwellers, this was ridiculous. We ran one way, in the dark, into the middle of Regents Park, and had to double back. We knew where we were but it wasn’t the Run Club 4 mile route. We ended up taking a huge detour and wound up at Niketown with Mubi calling us a few times as we were en route to find out what the hell had happened to us. Actual LOLZ. (Sorry Mubz).
Anyway. After a 5.43mile run-walk-run-walk, we strolled in to collect our bags long after everyone else had left. Fail.
Oh well. I had fun. And we had such great conversation! Who bloody cares about running when you’re having a good chat?!
I changed out of my running uniform (I still find this hilarious) and I walked around with Denis and Christiana looking for somewhere to eat. Meat Liquor had a queue that was 30-deep at 8:30pm so we moved on. Everywhere had a minimum of a half hour wait and we settled on a small, almost unnoticeable Thai restaurant. Hands down, the best Thai food I’ve ever had in London and easily some of the best company and conversation. I barely touched my phone (it’s usually glued to my palm). I ate good. I talked good. I kinda ran good earlier too.
Tonight, Christiana taught Denis and I about Grace. I have a new perception of the term, completely disassociated with religion, and this, and a good release of energy has made my day.
Run run run. It’s going to get easier (it had BETTER get easier).
Happy birthday Denis. Love you Yong time.
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@DenisYong
@Christiana1987
@MUMBI_CT
