RUN FASTER, RUN BETTER, LOSE WEIGHT. It’s not hard to see why I bought the magazine.

As I got to the end of my shopping trip, my gaze was drawn to the magazine rack and somebody had accepted the cookies of my current life, one magazine jumped out.

Excitedly I got home and opened up the magazine.

That’s when I remembered why I don’t buy magazines.

Adverts, adverts and more adverts interspersed with the same advice that you see on nearly every website for free.

Transformation stories and gear reviews with the same heavily marketed products serve to fill the remaining pages.

As well, you also get the obvious truth: you are probably not doing the things that you should.

To be a better, faster runner, you will invariably need to do the following

1. strengthen your legs, upper body and core
2. lose weight
3. stretch
4. run hills/sprints

I’m oversimplifying but the essence is there.

If I have an injury, it’s probably because I haven’t warmed up properly or stretched.

If I am too heavy, I am probably eating the wrong things or not exercising as much as I should.

I know these things. I just choose to ignore them.

When I get back from a run, I know I should stretch out and that by not doing so, I’ll ache more the next day and my knee pain will increase a bit but, you know what, I can’t be bothered – it’s cold outside and I want a cup of tea.

As I tuck into my second doughnut rather than a banana, I know it is probably not going to do my 10k time any good but I do it anyway because they are blooming amazing especially jam doughnuts with a cup of tea.

I don’t need smiley, bounding, shiny model in pristine clothes and trainers to tell me.

The great thing about running is that everyone can do it with minimal equipment.

Next time I am tempted to buy a running/fitness magazine, I’ll go for a run instead.

Now, rant over, time for a cup of tea…

Day 7

Total words: 2153
Total miles: 31.0

#writeandrun31