Athletic

Some of you may already know, but last year (totally wanted to say season there) I decided to join a gym. Moving home and not having to leave the house to get my business done had resulted in an ever-growing paunch, as well as a distinct restlessness to ESCAPE FROM THE CLUTCHES OF MY PARENTS for at least two hours at a time.

It may come as a surprise to you but I used to be really fit. When I was a kid I was obsessed with gymnastics and trained several times a week. I could do walkovers, flips, and splits so hyperextended you could lift my feet right off the ground. I even won a bronze metal in the Scottish Sports Acrobatics finals. But when it all became too much to balance with school work, I quit. The academe has always come first in my life, much to my personal detriment. And ever since I've let my fitness slide... Until now.

When I first started at the gym I realised I'd have to get a personal trainer, at least for the first couple of weeks, to give me the motivation to get my ass over there. PTs are also a comforting buffer when you go into the weights room for the first time, protecting you from the patronising stares of the already-buff and vest-top crew. I nearly died. Running 8 minutes turned me into a sweating, snotty, deaf-in-one-ear disaster zone. Hot mess doesn't even start to cover it. I couldn't lift a single weight. Rowing obliterated me.  I couldn't sit down properly for four days after that first session. The second time I went, I threw up. 

But going three times a week, and trying to see my trainer once a week or thereabouts, I really think I've improved. I can now run 5km without stopping (sure it takes me over 30 minutes but it's still progress...). My current personal best for rowing 2km is 8 mins 11 seconds. I have biceps. I've become one of those annoying fitness freaks, downing chia seeds over breakfast and planning my workouts in the shower. I'd never have expected it a year ago.

The weirdest thing about it all, however, is how athletic clothing has started to invade my wardrobe. From a practical point of view this was inevitable – I started my training with a major YOOX order of James Perse sweats, New Balance trainers and Golden Goose tees – but I didn't think the sportswear would seep into my daily outfits. Bomber jackets, sweatshirts, trainers, lanyards. I just can't stop. I'm worried about what's happening to me. Still, if it's all black, it's chic. Right?

Wearing jacket by Qasimi Homme, sweatshirt and gym bag by Silent by Damir Doma, trousers by Topman, lanyard by Givenchy.

Duck