Running: The Gateway Hobby to Buying Stuff You Didn’t Know Existed

In a few days, I’ll be flying out of the country again. And for the first time, I didn’t buy new outfits for my travel OOTDs. Don't get me wrong. I don't splurge. My travel outfits are mostly Shein and ukay-ukay finds. But in all 7 countries I’ve been to, I’ve never repeated an outfit. Not once. So going on this trip without a never-before-seen look is a huge deal for me.

I’m saving the shopping for when I get there. And this is a major plot twist too. Aside from food, toys (for my kids) and ref magnets, I’ve never actually shopped abroad. Ever. I love shopping, but unfortunately, a pre-trip haul and a shopping spree abroad aren’t something my bank account can agree to. I can only pick one poison.

So this time, I’ve decided to invest in something else. A new pair of running shoes. I'm buying it there because it's cheaper. Here, it costs twice as much as the daily trainers I bought just last April. If you know me, you’d know how stingy I usually am with these things. But I'm starting to love running and nobody warned me that different types of runs actually call for different running shoes.

I’ve got shoes for daily training, tempo runs, and race days. Now it’s time to find one for those long runs. And oh, I might also need a new running watch, running sunglasses, running belt, running earbuds, running cap, running socks, and anything that has something to do with running (necessary or not). 😅

I'm kidding. I couldn't afford those. But a new pair of shoes is honestly the clearest sign that I’m committing to this running era. Running has become more than just a hobby. It’s become a part of my routine and my stress relief. Well, either that, or I’m having a financial lapse disguised as self-improvement. Haha!

Anyway. A few days ago, I completed a 5K race and smashed my personal best. I’ve only been running for a little over a month, and I’m already hitting this pace. All thanks to my super shoes! Haha!

Ranked 33rd overall, 10th female finisher. Not bad. Not bad at all.

Yep, I pay to torture myself in races.