We owned the night, we WILL own our health and happiness

I’ve always preferred to run alone. I’ve done a few long runs with the Mr and it’s been good to have company but in general it’s hard to find somebody whose pace matches your own, especially since your own varies from day to day depending on all the things that affect running – general health, muscle soreness, hydration, nutrition, weather, etc.

For that reason I mostly like to run alone but I have been thinking that since I am not in mad marathon training mode anymore, it would be nice to make running a bit more social once in a while.

A few weeks before the Milton Keynes marathon I signed up for the We own the night 10km run that was to take place 5 days after the marathon. This sounded like the perfect opportunity to run with others at an easy pace and to just enjoy the event and the community aspect of running.

I tried to recruit a group through Facebook and my Crossfit classes. Many people considered running with me but chickened out at the last minute (you know who you are – next year you are IN!).

In the end I ran with two of my friends from Crossfit. We chatted about life and sport and Other Things Deep and Meaningful the entire time. We whooped appreciation to the spectators and the bands playing music. We sprinted to the finish line together and then high-fived in true Crossfit style.

I ran the funnest 10k I have ever run and I got to know two beautiful people better and the conversation really touched me. It made me sort of want to group hug all 10,000 women there, it made me think of the struggles we all have yet how strong and beautiful we are.

Many of us could blame our parents, peers, ex-boyfriends, media, etc. for constantly having to fight against feeling inadequate or not the right size or shape. Blame doesn’t do us any good though and 10,000 women came out on Saturday night and said “I am what I am. I look what I look like. I run just as fast or as slow as I run. And that is totally ok and totally cool.”

I totally believe that exercise changes lives and just like my two running companions have both said that they want to do more running from now on, I hope that many others who took part feel the same way and will keep on running for many years to come.

This post turned out a bit soppier than I anticipated but as cool, calm and Estonian as I am, I do love a good group hug once in a while 🙂  Share the love, ladies, share the love!

And OWN your life, your health, your happiness.