Running...

Hi all, as some of you who work with me know , I do a lot of running.

It all started with my job about a decade ago working at Apple. I was traveling frequently and started to wonder if there was a way of improving my jet lag. Also I was not in the best shape due to a lack of activity and I was stressed. In my school days I spent a lot of time rowing but did not keep it up as it's not a sport you can be casual with, so I stopped and thought I was immortal and did not need exercise ;-).

So after some reflection (realising I was no longer fit which took some time oddly) I went and started running. Initially it was hard, I got shin splints , my back played up and I did not support my running with some other exercise activities so I was injury prone. But despite those blockers I keep going - in the words of Haruki Murakami in his great book on running and writing “I have only a few reasons to keep on running, and a truckload of them to quit. All I can do is keep those few reasons nicely polished.”. I guess I kept my reasons in good shape. (Source “What I talk about when I talk about running” )

I ran through the pandemic too, keeping to the rhythm of my pre pandemic world. I have just kept going, you deal with some falls, some moments of doubt, some days where you feel like you are running through treacle and other days where you are flying. Gear is important too, as it can affect the way you feel . I have moved from Nike shoes to a collection of Hoka’s and my pace is good when I want it to be.Not sure if the Hoka's are better but feels good for me.?

The impact of running has been great ,I am calmer, have more energy and feel more grounded in places when I have run in them. You get a real sense of an area when you spend time there at the beginning of the day in my case as I am a morning runner. In NYC you see the early workers arrive, the empty streets, the businesses setting up for the day. In contrast in Corsica this year, empty beaches and a few horse riders were the best way to start the day.

This year due to the change in my role here at Uber, I have been lucky enough to run in many cities and move on from running near my home (though running in London is always great as there are so many parks and green areas). It's a pleasure to run in some of these great running cities in the world.

So at the moment, I am back in Tokyo after a few years away. Runners here seem a pretty serious bunch, enthusiastic and dedicated. I went running this morning around the Imperial Palace - an almost perfect 5 km and wow did I see what I would describe as core runners - you can tell by the body shape and gear, many very experienced people. Also as a runner when you come across a regular running spot in a city, you can get the “vibe”. The Palace run is a quick pace location, as much as parts of New York can be and has less fun runners than other cities in the early morning. Do not let that put you off, it is a beautiful run, much tree covered (or past the trees as pictured above) and surrounded by the vast “moat” around the palace and go at your own pace.?

Then last week I was in Sydney. Much like the vibe of the city, runners are there but it feels less competitive. Pace is sensible from most, no one is in peacock mode and the aim is to take in the weather, the view and more. Running around the Opera House, Circular Quay, the Botanic Gardens and more is fabulous. I have yet to venture across the bridge into North Sydney but will get there one day but Sydney is a great place for running.

The next is New York, this is where morning casual running becomes a competitive sport if you allow it.?

I am always struck by the volume of runners out at 7 am on a weekday around the Hudson River Park ,one of my favourite runs, the age(young by my standards but what isn't !) and the number of running clubs. There were clearly some who were running for dates,though dating while jogging seems like hard work in my eyes. Some who were running to attract admiration - in summer is can seem like there are too many topless men running fast, the modern version of peacocking. Young energy everywhere, and of course the pace is fast. I wonder if the less older people running is a reflection of the older generation have moved out of Manhattan to Brooklyn or further afield. Maybe I should relocate too ?

Finally I wanted to mention Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity When I first came to Cannes many years ago, the idea that any one would go running out of choice would have scared the life out of many of the senior people there. The mornings were for coffee and recovering from hangovers not for putting on shorts and getting warm.Cannes was hedonism not wellness.?

However ,this year (and this has accelerated post pandemic), attendance at running events and on the croisette was off the scale. Indeed it feels like running is now the new cycling or golf of media and more equitable because of that. The one organised run I did this year was a networking event on cool carbon plate shoes. In this case Hoka's,On Running and ASICS were the brands of choice and the chat was media and creativity. Ironically while running is no doubt good for your health, it seems like it may be good for your career now too…the only thing you need to do, is recognise that c suite in running gear.

Maybe see you on Strava as much as here ?