Monday is my run day. I drop off my daughter to school, go for a run and I am back home just in time to have a shower and start work.

This morning I did just the same as always. Dropped off Ruby to school and as I walk towards the park, I get my phone out, set my podcast, ready to hit play as the run begins – I am listening to Steven Bartlett now. I obviously opened my Strava app and I bumped into my running buddy saying hello and her telling me about the marathon training and how everything goes. I soon set off listening to a very interesting episode about manipulation and honestly quite losing myself into the story while trying to get the breathing right.

As I got around the 2k mark I kind of clocked on the fact that I didn’t receive any announcements on my distance and time. That was the moment when my mind went into a bit of a panic mode. I forgot to start Strava, my Fitbit is auto detecting my runs but it’s never as accurate and at times it just fails to register anything. I mean, I was running without the confirmation for everyone to see! Can you imagine just how awful this is?

I switched back to the podcast and tried to ignore the drama that was unfolding right before my eyes. I kept going and I got no clue just how fast or how slow I was. I do have a sort of approximation thinking of the fact that I went on that route before and I know what time it was before I started running but apart from this, it’s all a simple run. One unaccounted for and if I were to think like runners today … a non existent run!

You know…. if it’s not on Strava you haven’t done it kind of thing

But I also realised just how liberating it felt. As soon as I learned what happened, I just went for it. I didn’t wait for the message documenting my average speed. I didn’t actually care. I might have been slower, just as much as I might have been faster. I can tell you I was hot and tired. I can tell you that the sky looked glorious and that I was back home in about 45 minutes. More than this? Absolutely irrelevant. I think I might do this again! And this time, on purpose!

Just like in the good old days when you would grab your walkman and just go! No GPS, no smart watches and electrolytes, no apps to put it out there and let yourself be secretly judged by total strangers, or scary enough – get stalked by weirdos tracking your route because you posted a picture of yourself and according to the stalker community, you looked so sexy all full of sweat and wearing those short shorts.

It is an entire world out there that we completely forgot about. We just want the validation! I ran today and tomorrow is my workout day and I also record my 5 min stretch sessions and then I go running again! Just look what a monument of health I am – only to binge eat and drink when not working out. But we don’t put it out there. We like the “slow one today” “super tired but I did it! 20 miles in the bag for the week!” “#blessed” – and a picture with a beautiful scenery. I mean, who are we if we don’t post something that will make others envy us? And if this is not enough, let’s post a story on Instagram or Facebook as well. Change the content a bit so we look wiser and all done!

I am guilty of all of the above. I did it! Heck, I sometimes still do it! And you know why? I feel like if I show it to the world, some of those followers I have will think to themselves one or the other: “she works, she has a kid and oh my God! Bitch has so much free time to do all these workouts! I wish I had the time!” or “I need to start moving! I am sure I could find the time!” And I pray for the second! Because I learned just how much it helps my mental health, because I just want my child to grow up knowing how important it is to move your body and what a blessing it is to be able to do it!

Yes, sometimes I feel good thinking someone envies me! Who wouldn’t? You know already just how low I think of myself. So, please forgive me if I get such a high when I receive a message from a stranger or an acquaintance telling me how they admire me for everything that I do! I don’t consider I do enough. I don’t think I am kind enough or good enough but to have someone telling me I am doing something good … well, that’s just wonderful.

I went a bit off track but you get my drift. I think all I want to say is less is more! Simple is better! So why not try it? Have an occasional run without all the technology and energy bites! Just put your shoes on and press play! Workout out and do all all the things you do, just for yourself! Forget the online competitions that give you a discount code at the end, forget about running just a mile longer than Karen who you never actually met but follow on Strava and she seems like she’s winning at everything.

Be yourself! Be simple! Go with the flow!