Hi run fans,
Last week I replied to a hot potato that hit the running community. Here.
I got all serious and didn't mention cake much! I really enjoyed your responses and the chats it opened up, even though I had to put my serious hat on and be a bit sensible.
So you'll be pleased to know that this week......IM DOING THE SAME AGAIN!
Sorry if you came for pictures of bacon and tales of me signing up for ludicrous distances because I'm sleepy and have Internet access.
I can across this excellent post about "What does a runner's body look like?" It concludes that a runner's body is one that runs, regardless of size and shape. It introduces the brilliant hashtag #IHaveARunnersBody and suggests that we take it on and champion the cause.
You know I like a challenge so here's my take on why #IHaveARunnersBody
Last week I replied to a hot potato that hit the running community. Here.
I got all serious and didn't mention cake much! I really enjoyed your responses and the chats it opened up, even though I had to put my serious hat on and be a bit sensible.
So you'll be pleased to know that this week......IM DOING THE SAME AGAIN!
Sorry if you came for pictures of bacon and tales of me signing up for ludicrous distances because I'm sleepy and have Internet access.
I can across this excellent post about "What does a runner's body look like?" It concludes that a runner's body is one that runs, regardless of size and shape. It introduces the brilliant hashtag #IHaveARunnersBody and suggests that we take it on and champion the cause.
You know I like a challenge so here's my take on why #IHaveARunnersBody
Firstly a disclaimer. I did start running to lose weight. I was around a size 12 for years, then got problematic knees and a case of laziness. I got big and it did my knees no good. After I'd had double knee surgery I got my arse into gear and lost the weight.
I say this because it happens to be what I did, not because it's what you should do. My knees hated the extra 4 stone and I hated not looking like I used to. So I made a few tweaks and felt more like me. If you feel happy and like "you" never feel like you have to change to conform.
Onto to my body now.
For a long time I thought I wasn't a runner. I was just someone who ran. Mainly because I didn't think I looked like the runners I saw on the covers of magazines or leading the pack in races. I hated unflattering race pictures showing off my wobbly bits and making me look even less pretty.
Then one day I realised that I looked HAPPY truly HAPPY in most of my race pictures. So sod the wobbly arms in the picture above. Look how much fun I'm having!
#IHaveARunnersBody
I say this because it happens to be what I did, not because it's what you should do. My knees hated the extra 4 stone and I hated not looking like I used to. So I made a few tweaks and felt more like me. If you feel happy and like "you" never feel like you have to change to conform.
Onto to my body now.
For a long time I thought I wasn't a runner. I was just someone who ran. Mainly because I didn't think I looked like the runners I saw on the covers of magazines or leading the pack in races. I hated unflattering race pictures showing off my wobbly bits and making me look even less pretty.
Then one day I realised that I looked HAPPY truly HAPPY in most of my race pictures. So sod the wobbly arms in the picture above. Look how much fun I'm having!
#IHaveARunnersBody
Having accepted that I was a runner I still felt that I didn't have a runner's body.
I thought that runner's looked like Paula Radcliffe. They had 6 pack abs and ran in pants and a bra top with an expanse of flat stomach inbetween. They achieved the mythical thighs of steel AND a thigh gap.
They were basically sports Barbie.
Slowly I realised that the fact that I can run means I absolutely do have a runner's body. And while I can't be proud of being aesthetically perfect I can be proud of the achievements and war wound running has given my body. I certainly don't have a flat stomach in the photo above but I'm far from ashamed and that's why I'm sharing it.
I earned those grazes over 33 hard, consecutive miles and the thousands in training that came before them.
#IHaveARunnersBody
I thought that runner's looked like Paula Radcliffe. They had 6 pack abs and ran in pants and a bra top with an expanse of flat stomach inbetween. They achieved the mythical thighs of steel AND a thigh gap.
They were basically sports Barbie.
Slowly I realised that the fact that I can run means I absolutely do have a runner's body. And while I can't be proud of being aesthetically perfect I can be proud of the achievements and war wound running has given my body. I certainly don't have a flat stomach in the photo above but I'm far from ashamed and that's why I'm sharing it.
I earned those grazes over 33 hard, consecutive miles and the thousands in training that came before them.
#IHaveARunnersBody
I thought I'd end this post with a picture of me as exposed as I could find (and as decent as is appropriate for the Internet)
I'm the one dressed as a skeleton in weird swimming shoes.
Yes I'm pale.
Yes I'm pear shaped.
No I don't have a thigh gap.
But I'm happy.
And not ashamed.
And I'm a runner (and a swimmer)
So #IHaveARunnersBody
And so do you.
Run Cat Girl Run x x x
I'm the one dressed as a skeleton in weird swimming shoes.
Yes I'm pale.
Yes I'm pear shaped.
No I don't have a thigh gap.
But I'm happy.
And not ashamed.
And I'm a runner (and a swimmer)
So #IHaveARunnersBody
And so do you.
Run Cat Girl Run x x x