Gay London Life | April '25 Edition - Magazine - Page 26
Health & Wellbeing
It’s common for individuals to say
Track it
they don’t enjoy running. However,
I’m a big believer in joy first, data
like anything, running takes practice
second when it comes to tracking
to find a serene flow state where it
runs. However, here are a few ways
becomes second nature.
you can record your outings.
I used to despise running as
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Apps — Strava is great for
a child, but recently, it’s become
logging runs. It’s free (with
a great addition to my routine. It’s
paid upgrades if you want
improved my mental health in ways
more stats) and has a social
I never expected: clearer thoughts,
element if you want to follow
better sleep, reduced anxiety, and
friends or join queer running
better body confidence.
groups. The Nike run app is my
I’ve never regretted a run — not
favourite, but I am biased as
even the sweaty ones where I wanted
to quit after the first mile or the ones
I’m a Nike athlete.
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Running watches — I have an
that I didn’t want to do in the first
Apple watch, but Garmin is
place, but laced up the shoes anyway.
also a great choice that tracks
It gets easier and you do get stronger
distance, pace, and heart rate.
Run For
Your Life
with a bit of discipline, perseverance
It’s satisfying to look back and
Whether you’re already a keen runner or a total
novice, our health and wellness coach Taofique
Folarin encourages you to get outside for a jog —
lycra optional, vitamin D guaranteed
and self-love. There may be some
hurdles along the way, but they just
see how far you’ve come.
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make the journey more interesting.
Old-school notebook —
Sometimes I just jot down
how the run felt. Fast? Free?
Warm Up
Heavy? Light? It reminds me
Before any run, give your legs
that progress isn’t only about
the love they deserve with five to
speed.
ten minutes of proper warm-up,
including some of these…
Finesse it
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Leg Swings — Front to back,
Here are three quick tips for better
side to side. These help loosen
running form.
up tight hips and hamstrings.
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Open the Gate — Lift your
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knee, rotate it outward like
your hips to stay strong and
you’re opening a gate, then
place it down. Amazing for hip
forward-focused.
•
Relax and look ahead. Keep
mobility (and trust me, you’ll
your shoulders loose, head
feel the difference once you
tall, and eyes about 10–20
start running).
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Drive your elbows back toward
High Knees — On the spot,
metres forward.
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Land light and under you.
bring your knees up towards
Tread softly with your foot
your chest quickly. This warms
landing under your hips, not
up your hip flexors and gets
out in front.
your heart rate ticking up.
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Butt kicks — Heels up towards
Final word
your glutes, fast and snappy.
Start where you are, not where you
This wakes up the hamstrings.
want to be.
Walking lunges — A full
You don’t have to be ‘good’ at
lower-body warm-up move.
running to be a runner. That is a
I sometimes add a little twist
complete myth. You just have to
over the front knee to open up
start. Walk if you need to or go slow,
my core, too.
but run proud. This is your journey
A-skip — This looks a little like
— if you haven’t tried it, I highly
exaggerated high knees, but
recommend the NHS Couch to 5K
with a skip: keep it light, quick,
programme.
and rhythmic. It’s awesome
Running is not a punishment;
for prepping your body for
it’s a celebration of what your mind
reaction.
and body can do. Every single time
B-skip — A progression of
I finish a run, whether it’s one mile
A-skip. After you lift the knee,
or ten, I feel better, stronger, and
you extend your leg out before
more at ease with myself. And that’s
snapping it back down. It
something no one can take away.
teaches better leg mechanics
for efficient running.
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@TaofiqueFolarin
