I bought running shoes

November 17, 2025

When I was way younger than I am now, I tried karate for a day and was in pain for a week. From all the sports I had tried at school, the only one I kinda liked was running. It wasn’t a team effort to run, it was my own. I didn’t depend on anyone to have a good run.

From those days of high school, I remember my Dad taking me to the forest so we’d bond over a running session. But his pace was way faster than mine, so we ended up not running together at all — and we only tried it once, which is a real shame.

Anyway, I’ve never been keen on sports. I’d always rather stay cosy at home, writing, reading or playing video games. I’m still like that to this day, but…

Recently, I bought a pair of running shoes again.

I was feeling exhausted all the time. Some will say I’ve a long commute to the office. Some will say I’m a “new” mum of a preschooler with a lot of energy. Some will even say I’ve got too much on my plate with trying to run an author business on top of everything else. But I’ll tell you this: I wasn’t moving my body enough. My general fitness was (unsurprisingly) not great.

So I started running twice a week (or at least I try to).

In August, I ran my first race — 6.4 km, I’m not crazy. It was hard: the weather was too warm, there was a long stretch under the sun, and I have a tendency not to drink enough. I finished the race in 53 minutes and 41 seconds. Not too bad for a first one.

In September, I did a second one (5 km in 39 minutes and 44 seconds). I remember my son encouraging me on the organiser’s microphone. It was all very cute.

But the one I am most proud of is the October race. 7 km in 56 minutes. People had warned me about that race; it was supposed to be a difficult one. Hills were involved. Yet, it was the first race I participated in, in which I didn’t stop once. I was unstoppable.

Lately, in November, I ran 7 km in 52 minutes and 58 seconds. Improving my pace step by step, getting ready for my first 10 km in December.

Since I started running again, people have asked me why I do it. Each time, my answer has been: “I run for my health”. Sounds very salesy, but it’s nonetheless true: I’m in a better shape than I was before, my cardio improved, and I’m feeling less exhausted because I started moving more.

I don’t know what the future holds. I hear encouragements to run a half-marathon. Maybe I’ll do it one day, who knows. Running has brought me a lot of benefits up until today, in just a few months.

As I’m slowly approaching the end of my thirties (in 3 years, but still!), I might as well continue. Having good health is the most precious thing you can have nowadays. So let’s hold on to it as long as possible.