You can go your own way
Go your own way
You can call it another lonely day
You can go your own way
Go your own way
A rather sad yet poignant song. I love it, yet it breaks my heart whenever I hear it as I’ve been in that situation before.
This post isn’t about breaking up with anything, more about forging your own way.
Now it’s no secret that the fitness market has exploded over the past few years, with new instagrammers, blogger, brands, celebrities etc making a name for themselves in the industry. Quite frankly it’s a noisy place to try to get heard, especially when you’re the older end of your twenties and don’t have a six pack or model looks.
So why am I trying to compete with them?
I love fitness classes but I’m not a gym bunny, I love being outside as much as I love being shouted at to complete that last rep of treadmill sprints. Put me in the weights section on my own at a gym and I’d probably do a few reps before looking at my phone for a workout, or reverting to body weight exercises that I know best.
I am a runner.
Running is how I got into this fitness game, and it’s where I’m going to stay. I feel like I got slightly off track with my running after the Chicago marathon, but my running shoes are firmly back on now, plus I have some exciting news to share next week.
So expect to see a lot more running on the blog, on my Instagram and in my life. I will certainly still be working out at my favourite fitness studios across London to compliment my running – not to mention the Barry’s Hell Week that I’ve already signed up for, but it’s back to what I know and love for a while.
There are SO SO many fitness Instagrammers, but not quite so many running Instagrammers in London/UK, surprising when it’s such a popular sport. Why battle through a saturated market when you can shine in a developing one?
I want to improve my own running, (still trying for that elusive BQ) as well as sharing workouts, race reports, training tips and general advice for you to improve yours- whether that’s as a beginner runner, someone wanting to increase speed or endurance, or just swapping stories with a seasoned pro.
Of course there’s going to be a lot of real life, Dietetic training, recipes and other fun health and travel stories along the way too. I love fitness, I love working out and I love trying out new fitness trends and kit, so there will still be those type of blog posts too – just a primary focus on running.
My goal through my blog and Instagram is to champion the journey to a healthy, more active life where honest fitness and food makes wellbeing more accessible to all – without losing sight of the real lives we lead’.
Sounds great Charlie. Just be you. Easier said than done when we are swept along with the crowd, but nice to read you know who “you” is and are just going to do that. Enjoy x
Thanks Zoe, totally agree that it can be so easy to do what other people are doing, to do what is working for them even though it might not work for you. I’m trying to find a balance of it, doing what works for blogging and doing what works for me. It seems that instablogging is the way forward!!! xx
I love instablogging! Yes do more of that 🙂 I’ve started vlogging recently and am enjoying that, although it has also raised a lot more questions than it has answered when it comes to questions about my online future (and my offline future). I wish I knew what I wanted!!
I want to add more running to my Instagram also and continue to blog more about my own running, but not bore everyone LOL. I am looking forward to following along for inspiration 🙂
The fitness industry is crazy, I’ve been blogging since October only, but sometimes it’s just frustrating (especially on instagram where I honestly want to make friends, not have companies trying to make me follow them haha). I’m also a runner, but I like to add a bit of everything. You were the first blogger I followed when I started this journey, so you still are in inspiration for me. And having a niche is the way to go anyway. So keep running and telling us about it.
Thanks so much Andreea, and keep at it. Some of my best friends I’ve met through blogging and instagramming, it is totally worth it! Thank you for reading xx
There are so, so many fitness bloggers but not everyone has a story to share. I got into this game late last year with no intention of being a fitness blogger, but my site has evolved to include a lot of running because it’s a huge part of my life. Out of all the millions out there, I always check your blog because, while you wear awesome workout clothes and do cool fitness classes, you also seem authentic and remind me of the girls I used to work out with back home. Your journey is relatable and your life is interesting. Looking forward to reading more!
I discovered your blog a few months ago and absolutely love it. I always keep up with all your posts and find you a real inspiration. Although I enjoy reading about all the fitness classes you try, it’s your running related posts which I enjoy the most. I would love to see more of this in the future. I completed my first half-marathon last year and am training for my second, so often find myself picking up lots of good advice on your blog. Keep up the good work 🙂
On a side note, I also like seeing all your cool running gear as you have such great outfits! LOVE your ‘Runner’ t-shirt in the photo above.
Thanks so much! So glad you find it helpful! I love this Nike top too – I got it after a Nike run club!!
Well said! I started reading your blog to get a glimpse into the UK running culture before my study abroad. I really enjoy the honesty of your posts and your blog has never seemed ‘branded’ like so many of the others!
Love the running top- can you share where you got it?
Read your blog for the first time today and saw this post. Will definitely be reading more now.. I’ve been following a lot of running blogs but they are mainly American so I’ve been looking for UK running blogs for a while and really struggled to find them.. But looks like I’ve found one 🙂 Thanks!
Says
I’m so pleased, I love your running posts and look forward to reading more. Not living in London means that class posts are interesting however in my little corner of Kent we don’t have those places to go to. Your running posts are always relevant and enjoyable 🙂
This sounds great! I love blogging about fitness and sharing tips. It’s great motivation for myself and hopefully for others too!
xx, Pia
http://gymbagsandjetlags.com
It’s a truly wonderful thing to know exactly who you are and what makes you you. Like you, I drifted away from running for a little while after a disappointing race but as ever, I couldn’t help but be drawn back to it. Running makes me feel more like me, whatever other craziness might be happening in my life. Glad to hear your running shoes are back in business & looking forward to hearing more about your training & about what’s coming next 🙂
You are amazing Charlie! I love seeing you create your own path, blaze your own trail and show the world who you are! A beautiful person that the world needs to see! Breathe, smile and believe in yourself and everything will follow xxx
Being authentic and healthy is much more fun than having a six pack. ? Keep up the good work love!
I think being who you are and being genuine is the way to go.
I started blogging to clear my head and to find like minded people who were passionate about health, fitness and running. I got tired of talking to my friends and having them just not get me.
I find blogging so therapeutic and fun!
Keep up the good work!
Be you Charlie, I hear you completely and feel like this. I’m 30 years old, I’ve struggled to lose weight after Rose, I’m not a great runner, my times are slower than they were pre-baby, but I’m still doing it. Not being photogenic, being a size 14, having a c-section pouch, not having the model smile…I feel like I fraud, I feel like I don’t belong.
Keep being you! x
Keep it up, and keep being you! 🙂