Day 7 ! Nike X Frame Run Club

Most cool animals (second post in a row starting with animals…weird) hunt in groups. Wolves, lions, dolphins, kookaburras (when not sitting in the old gum tree). Yes, I am sure the main reason is something about it being easier to actually catch prey if you can outnumber it, surround it etc but maybe it’s also a little bit because it’s pretty boring to hunt by yourself. Would you want a spider’s lonely life? Didn’t think so.  Lion 1 likely said “I’m hungry” and lion 2 replies “Me too. But I can’t be bothered going hunting on my own. I’ll have no-one to roar with. I’ll only go if you come with.” And that’s how hunting in packs came about.

It’s the same for exercise. How many times have you set a well-intended morning alarm for a good gym workout and ended up snoozing. Not once, not twice, but till it’s actually time to go to work? Because really, who will notice/ care if you don’t go that morning? Who will shout at you? No-one. Well, maybe your partner, eventually if you slowly grow into a tellytubby over time but that’s a different issue. The point is, if you arrange to meet a friend or a few people for a workout, you’ll be less likely to bail. You won’t want to let them down. And it’ll be more fun so you’ll probably go again. Everyone wins!

In the whole working-out-in-groups-is-way-more-fun theme, today I joined the Nike X Frame Run Club. After the run, I found out it was a temporary “class” advertised through Frame but run by Nike in preparation for the We Own The Night Women’s 10k which is next week. But we all seemed to enjoy it so much, fingers are crossed that Frame will continue to run it!

Led by the attractive Kezia, a Nike ambassador, a group of 7 of us girls ran/jogged to Victoria Park – it was a nice gentle pace as we were still able to chat and get to know each other a little. But this was just the warm up – once we got to the park, Kezia made us (I say “made” in a good way) run round a section of the park 3 times – at a slower pace first, then faster and then a sprint for the final lap. So we lined up a.k.a school sports day style and got the 3, 2, 1, Go! countdown from Kezia. It was tough (definitely the final lap) but it was also quite enjoyable. A good sprint can be exhilarating and after the final lap, we were all very much out of breath but feeling good.

Then came the interval sprints (it wasn’t over!) – in teams of 2, we were ran between closer trees, further away trees, the start line/path a few times over till our legs gave up. But after all that, Kezia gave us the option of jogging back to the studio (and be on time) or doing some abs (and be a bit late back). And of course we picked the abs! Because that’s what happens when you work out in a group – there’s encouragement, a sense of solidarity and common achievement. There were blisters and there were exhausted muscles. We had shared water (some, myself included didn’t think it would be that tough – ppfff!) and shared some laughs. And looking at the stats, it is lots of calories and lots of fun (ooh idea: a chart of calories burnt per factor of fun…watch this space)!

So thank you Kezia and thank you girls! Run clubs are a gem!

The Need To Know:

- Where: Frame, but Nike Training Club run Run Clubs around London

- Nearest Station: Shoreditch High Street

- When: Nike release spaces on the facebook 2 weeks before the event

- How Much: Flee!

  

The Want to Know:

- Who’s it For: For those who are tired of running on a treadmill!

- Sweat Scale: 8/10 (Running is s.w.e.a.t.y. business. Fact).

- Strength / Cardio / Flexi / Tone: Cardio and eventually toning

- Complexity: 4/10 Running aint complicated.

- Fun Factor: 8/10 With a good group, it’s a pleasure!

- Changing Facilities: Changing rooms at Frame.

- Instructor Inspiration: 9/10. Kezia was pretty good-looking. The car hoots during the run are testament to that.

The Stats:

- Distance covered: I forgot to turn GPS on after Day 6 Pole Dancing! Grr! But we came to the conclusion around 9-10km.

- Total Time: 1hr 24mins

- Calories Burnt: A whopping 521!

- Average Heart Rate: 143bpm
- Max Heart Rate: 179bpm (sprints are good for the heart)

Toot Toot!