10 Things I Hear As A Fat Runner

Most people who know me, know I admit I'm no Mo Farrah in stature. It's always something I have to deal with, being a short arse as well, weight never looks great on me. It's just something I have to deal with. The weight comes and goes, plus I love my food. 

Anyway I thought I'd write the 10 things I hear often said to me when people who don't know me very well, hear I'm a runner and the type of events I run. 

1. No offence but you don't look like a runner (always a winner this one, starting with "no offence")

2. You? You run?

3. There's no way you can run that far

4. Have you just started?

5. Is it harder to run being a larger person?

6. Why aren't you skinny?

7. You should try Slimming World or Weight Watchers. 

8. I can't even drive that far

9. Don't you get bad knees

10. You have cake after a run? (Yep I have heard this a few times)

I once saw on an American Running Forum which I'm not a member of, mentioned me and that I was too thicc (fat) to be an Ultra Runner. No idea how I've made it across the pond.

I never claim to be the fastest, the best or even any good at my sport. I run, that's just what I do. I used to be really really fat, now I'm just not as fat as I used to be. I've always said people are welcome to join me on runs, if they're faster than me, then they'll either have to loop back or run slower. If I'm faster than them I will run at their pace. 

Just because I'm not physically slim doesn't mean those like me are not runners, as long as both feet are in flight as you move, you are a runner regardless. So whether you are skinny, large, tall, short etc etc if you run, you are a runner. If someone is out there running, encourage them don't make them feel like shit, at least they're trying to make a better version of themselves.

I just love to run

𝑶𝒘𝒂𝒊𝒏
#GoTailwind #UglowSports #StitchFree 

Kit Review - Zoncolan Running/Cycling Glasses

It's not often I get the opportunity to do kit reviews, so when I received a private message  from sunglassesrestorer.com via one of my social media outlets, I was a little dubious. Anyway, a few emails afterwards and here I am now writing a blog on this piece of kit which is available here Amazon. 

Now I love wearing with sunglasses, and I've been fortunate in the past to be supported by a brand before. One of the pairs I liked had interchangeable lenses which allowed me to wear them in any weather in, in any form light level. So regardless of whether it was raining or blowing a gale, my eyes would have protection. I hate wind and rain getting into my eyes whilst out running and even occasionally cycling. 

So these glasses arrived, in a nice hard protection casing, along with a soft bag and if required a neck strap. Can't remember what you actually call the neck strap but you know what I mean. 

Zoncolan Glasses 

On first appearance they looked a bit chunky, and definitely not a pair you would want to wear every day on the street or beach trying to look cool. These are definitely a pair designed with the purpose of running or cycling in.

Before putting them to the test I tried them on for size as such. To be fair they were pretty comfortable. As I never looked them up really prior as I wanted to gauge everything with out any pre made assumptions, I didn't actually know anything about these pair of glasses. 

They felt pretty light on my face, which is always a good start and also fitted very comfortable. So I decided, I would put them to the test during my up and coming race at the time, the Arc of Attrition (see race blog here ) . The weather was expecting to be rubbish, so with what are clear lenses, this would be ideal for the rain and wind that was to be expected. 

I wore them from the start of the race, and what I didn't realise was they were light reactive lenses. As the sun came out my glasses got darker. I only noticed properly when I looked at my reflection on a car window. This was a pleasant surprise, I honestly just thought they were clear lenses. 

Tested during the recent Arc of Attrition pic by NoLimits Photography

Anyway as the race progressed for me, they remained on my face. It wasn't until my race was over in the dark and there wasn't any need for them I took them off. I actually forgot they were there, to be honest. The design of them being light made it feel they weren't on my face at all. 

Now something I found with other brands was that they often fog up, when I stop or slow and down whilst running. This never happened at all during the race, the lenses have little holes in them at the bottom which allowed the air flow around them better. Also even when I had my Buff up around me face because of the cold and the wind, they never fogged up like others have before when doing the same thing. 

As the day darkened the lenses became clearer and soon running in the dark they were clear lenses, protecting my eyes from the elements. 

They felt really comfortable during the race - pic by Mudcrew appointed photographers

Since the race, I've run in them a lot and in various weathers, although during the race they never fogged up, they did once during a training run. However that said within like a second they defogged without the need of me having to remove them from my face. Which is something I've had to do with other brands. 

Now you'd think for light reactive sporting glasses you could be asking for a tidy penny to be spent for a pair but they're on Amazon for £27 which actually isn't that expensive and I can tell you they're really good for their value. 

I know people often will say the product is good because it was sent to them free, but this isn't the case, I'm saying for the value and for what they are designed for they are surprisingly good. Yes as I said you wouldn't want to be seen wearing them for every day use but they're not designed for that. What they are designed for is for running or cycling and they do the job very well!

Used them a lot info February!

The company that sells them also restores sunglasses as well, if you need lenses for your Oakley's they do them etc etc. You can find the product here on Amazon  or you can visit their website for more info here https://sunglassesrestorer.com 

So there you go, overall I'm pretty pleased with this product, a friend has also ordered a pair herself now after suffering the effects from the weather on her eyes during the race. 

I've used them for runs since and still happy to wear them from now on. 

Thanks for reading

𝑶𝒘𝒂𝒊𝒏
#GoTailwind #UglowSports #StitchFree