Janathon day 17: Run Dem Crew is back!

Tonight was the return of Run Dem Crew and damn it was good. Yesterday was my first non-running day in January and I opted for swimming instead of a run. Believe it or not, I haven’t really ached much since starting the running regime on 1^st January but today my butt cheeks were seriously sore. I think my body took the ‘running rest’ as an opportunity to relax and make me hurt.

If I was running at home I may have re-considered whether I was even going to run tonight but there was no chance on earth that I was missing RDC. The buzz and excitement in the room was incredible. It was like going back to school but with far more excitement and enthusiasm than I’ve ever experienced towards school (and I was a geek that liked school)!

Charlie Dark was inspirational and funny as always and I met some great people brimming with positive vibes. I saw old friends as well as new and it felt good to be back. An 8.5km bridges run and it was the perfect night for a river run. Cold but calm and peaceful. I just wish I’d taken some pictures of Tower Bridge as it looked absolutely spectacular glowing over the river.

I left RDC with a warm fuzzy feeling inside and I’m so glad it’s back. Every time I go, my faith in humanity is restored. I know that sounds a bit dramatic but there are some seriously good people there. I only ever leave feeling positive and excited about life. I turned 30 on Christmas day and I talked about being the best I can be and Charlie talked about this tonight. I don't want to restrict this to my running but to everything that I do.

I have arranged to go to track next week with a couple of the RDC girls. If I'm going to get a sub two time in Berlin, I need to start 'proper' running training.  I’m not going to lie, I’m absolutely terrified but I need to start facing my demons! On a positive note, I'm pleased that my running mojo has returned and I’m loving it. Janathon day 17, I can safely say that you are well and truly ticked off the list, despite some mightily sore buttocks. If you see a blonde girl hobbling tomorrow morning, on the train to Clapham, then please be nice to her and maybe even offer her your seat. I'm sure she would be forever grateful.

Janathon day 16: Exchanging running for swimming

After a 15k run yesterday I had a bit of a niggle in my foot and knee (old injuries). I really wanted to run every day throughout Janathon but I decided my longer term goals are more important. For the first time in a couple of weeks I didn’t run today but I’m still in the game as I exchanged my run for a swim.

On the eve of the return to Run Dem Crew, I decided that a swim was a much more sensible option. Tomorrow’s run will be longer than my regular daily run and I want to be fit and ready for it. I swam 20 lengths tonight (500m) and it got me thinking about the triathlon that I’ve signed myself up for in June. I can swim but I’m not technically very good and ahead of my first triathlon I am going to have to take the scary leap to swimming lessons. I’m terrified! If anybody has any triathlon tips I would absolutely love to hear from you.

After my run, I also enjoyed a steam room session and a Jacuzzi which felt great. I have to say that after 15 days of running, my legs feel surprisingly good and I am super excited about running with my friends tomorrow night. Away away away!

Janathon day 10: Run Dem Crew Rehearsal

I was disappointed with myself yesterday. I wanted to start the day with a 5k but when I woke up I wasn’t feeling up to it. Tonight I wanted to make up for what I didn’t achieve yesterday. Tuesday nights are Run Dem Crew nights but Run Dem Crew is not waking up again until next Tuesday and I’m telling you, it can’t come soon enough. The RDC family are counting down. I’ve seen tweet after tweet in the last couple of weeks of people desperate to start up again. There have been a few break off groups running together while RDC has been closed but they are just that little too far for me.  What better time to have a Run Dem rehearsal than the Tuesday before we go back? 

Formed by Charlie Dark in the winter of 2007, the Run Dem Crew or RDC for short, is a running club based at 1948 in the arches in Shoreditch.  I say running club but in reality it is more of a running family. A collective of creative heads with a passion for running and the exchange of ideas, we meet every Tuesday and run the streets of London. Yes, we run but we’re not your average running club. It’s about more than running. Running can be a solitary activity but running with  RDC is about being part of a supportive and encouraging network of friends.  

Committed to change and the upliftment of the next generation, RDC works closely with young people across London providing mentoring and advice along with the opportunity to explore London in a safe, unique, positive and supportive environment. It has been an amazing experience to see the RDC youngers  grow and achieve their goals. It shows that if you put your mind to it and have the right support around you, you can achieve whatever you want to. A little encouragement goes a long way and this philosophy applies to life goals as well as running goals!  

I can’t tell you how much I have missed the Tuesday night sessions. I have written about RDC and the impact it has had on me before in this post. Every week I am inspired and motivated and always learn something new from people who are willing to give advice and support in any way they can. Just being surrounded by such inspiring people encourages you to dig that little bit deeper and not give up.

Some of the RDC family at the Greenwich Movember 10k 2011

RDC pants to match my top & a glittery gold moustache

We normally run for at least 45 minutes so I wanted to do a decent run tonight ready for next week. I ran my regular 5k route and then added an extra section to take it up to 8k and putting a big fat tick next to #Janathon day 10.  I am aiming to run 5k each week day this week so this takes me to 11.5k in two days, which is ahead of schedule. The first 2 kilometres were a struggle and my legs were tight but once I got going there was no chance I was giving up.

There were a couple of moments I really wanted to stop but I thought hard about what I need to do in order to achieve my goals and I just kept going. I also thought about how I can help people at Run Dem Crew more as I feel I have gained so much since joining. I’ve always been a little shy to step up and lead a group, scared of looking silly or getting the group lost as I’m not an East London girl but this year I am going to make it my aim to contribute more. I read this on the website and I feel this is so important.

 “RUN DEM CREW IS NOT A SPONGE. PLEASE REPLACE WHAT YOU TAKE FROM IT. IN OTHER WORDS PLEASE GIVE BACK HOWEVER YOU CAN, BE IT THROUGH TIME, ENERGY OR HOWEVER ELSE YOU SEE FIT.”

Run Dem Crew, rehearsal done, I’m no sponge. This year I am going to put in even more than I get out of RDC…away away away, can’t come soon enough!