This weekend has been taken up with a Ralph Steadman art exhibit, a Dodgers loss, and then watching Arsenal just about beat West Ham to stay clear at the top of the Premier League while I packed a suitcase again. I’ve been waiting almost 22 years for Arsenal to win the title, so let’s just say it’s been tense. Just another couple of weeks…
Last Tuesday, I recorded an ill-fated chat with Mario Fraioli. The themes are quite specifically 1) running and 2) writing – two topics that Mario and I have enjoyed yamming about in private over the past few months. Hopefully it’s a nice intersection for anyone who enjoys either one or both.
Sadly, last week’s recording hit technical difficulties and didn’t fully record, but those who tuned in live enjoyed it. (I think!) Go check out what did record, and tell us what you think.
Mario and I are going to do this every couple of months, but would love some help with a title better than ‘Live with Mario & Raz.’ Here’s a poll, but any other ideas are very, very welcome!
Storytelling with Brendan Leonard
On the topic of literary runners, I signed up for Brendan Leonard’s writing course: ‘How to Tell One Story.’ I’ll let you know how it goes in due course, but I try to do a big learning exercise like this every few months and I’m a huge fan of how Brendan tells stories, so I am very prepared to learn some cool things.
If you want to learn how to write your first story in just six weeks, register your interest for September’s course. This is not an ad, by the way. It’s just something cool by someone cool that I’m enjoying, so I think you might also enjoy.
Last week on Running Sucks
On Thursday, I wrote about Pruzan, which is a running brand for women by women. I met the founders at The Running Event last December, where their stand containing their delicate mesh tank was posted up right next to the new Nike ACG and their heavy mesh shirt. It was the same but different. I like what Pruzan is doing. Take a read.
You may have noticed that I have been paywalling my work for the past few weeks. I’ve certainly noticed the extra unsubscribes haha. Thanks so much to everyone who has upgraded their subscriptions recently.
If you’ve been reading for the past three years or a portion thereof, here’s a gentle suggestion to support the things you enjoy. There are two great ways:
Upgrade your subscription for $40 a year / 80¢ a week (tax deductible if you work in publishing or the running industry).
Share Running Sucks with a friend and if they subscribe, you get a FREE month of reading. Get 5 friends to sign up and you can read for free for a year. Easy.
If you haven’t yet picked up a copy of my book, This is Running, here are some links:
USA - Amazon US | Bookshop US | Barnes & Noble
UK - Amazon UK | Bookshop UK | Waterstones
REVIEW - Goodreads | Amazon reviews really help as well thanks
Incidentally, I’ve been cited as one of the “most important voices in run culture” in this list. Just in case you needed someone else’s opinion to make up your mind.
Next up on the tour
I’m on my way to Minneapolis and Portland for the next two dates on the Salomon Off Track Gravel Tour. If you’re in either area, drop me a line with your tips, even if you aren’t able to make the event. I’ll be in Portland for an extra couple of days in-between dates.
Last week’s book excerpt was about trails being the final level boss, and there’s a lot to that. A huge focus on the Salomon Gravel Tour is about how creativity is key to all of our lives, and when we spend large swaths of our time at a desk, moving our bodies is scientifically proven to prompt our creative selves. Where better than a run into greenery?
Z is for Gen Z
Some people have been begging to predict the End of the Running Boom, but I’ve always responded in the same way: running is going nowhere.
Over the past month or so, however, I have amended that to: I actually think we’ve seen nothing yet. There is even some great evidence to suggest that we’re about to embark upon another large moment in the running boom.
When I saw that Gen Z women make up the single largest cohort of applicants to the 2027 London Marathon, it didn’t surprise me. We are currently bearing the fruits of the seed sown during the pandemic.
