THOOSA INSPIRED

A new Thoosa Inspired! Tamsin Edenbrow, business woman, mum, wife, lovely person and it turns out a pretty fantastically healthy lady. Superwoman!

1. When did you start running and why?
I started running on 2nd January 2004. My new year’s resolution was to try and join the London Marathon for that year. I’d never run before and I remember is being really cold and I was barely running it looked more like a jogging-walk. I only managed 8 minutes.

2. Why is running more appealing to you than other forms of exercise?
I fell in love with running later in my exercising life, I was 30. I love the flexibility of it, you can do it whenever you like and pretty much wherever you like – as long as you have your trainers with you. After I started running, gym classes suddenly seemed so restrictive. I remember turning up at the gym in London on many occasions and being the 13th in line for a spin class with 12 bikes ... it was so disappointing especially at 7am. So instead I’d go for a run.

3. What tips and advice would you have for people starting running?
It does get much easier the more you do it and you definitely get more out of it. The more you run, the more you enjoy it and the more you look forward to it. I can’t believe that I feel like this now, as the first time I really couldn’t see what all the fuss was about. And also, invest in a really good pair of trainers.

4. What has been your biggest challenge as a runner or perhaps greatest achievement?
My biggest challenge is always putting one foot in front of another when first starting to run, after a break from running or after an injury.

5. What has been your most memorable running experience?
Definitely crossing the London Marathon line in 2004 with my running partner Martin, it was such a memorable experience. The atmosphere and all the supporters were amazing and running for a charity (I ran for Macmillan nurses) made it all the more emotional and worthwhile.

6. Do you find that running helps you in other areas of your life, for instance as a mother, wife, business women?
Running gives me time to think and I quite often sort out work problems or come up with ideas when I’m running. I totally zone out now and actually find it very meditative, as well as a good way of keeping fit.

As a mother, running has had a positive effect on my family. My eldest daughter regularly sees my husband and me going out for a run and she sees running as something enjoyable, and a past-time rather than just exercise. She is already showing an interest in running and has now asked if she can do a kids’ triathlon in Phuket.

7. Thailand is renowned for its beautiful weather, but how do you deal with running in a hot climate?
To be honest I much prefer running in the UK in a cooler climate. Running in the heat is exhausting and I look bright red and dripping whilst running – not the best look. Sometimes I can still be red and sweating for about an hour afterwards which isn’t great when I’m getting ready for work and everything is sticking to me. Running in Thailand is a great way to see the real Thailand and Thai people are so friendly that I get lots of hellos and Sawasdees on my running route. However, I do regularly get chased by the local dogs and running out of water sends me into a panic, so now I always take 20 baht so I can duck into a 711 if I need more water.

8. What’s your favourite way to unwind after a run?
Well I live in Thailand so unwinding for me is trying to cool down and reduce the redness in my face before I have to see people. The best way is to just jump into the pool with all my running gear on and just relax there for a bit.

9. Do you run socially or on your own?
I either run on my own or with my husband, although I think he finds my pace a bit slow.

10. Is running music essential? If yes what sort?
I’ve only just started running with music, which is a revelation. I’ve just bought the iPod nano which is great and I’ve been listening to Florence +the machine on my runs recently.

11. What’s your favourite piece of running kit?
My water bottle with a Velcro hand-holder and a zip pocket which my husband bought me for my birthday. The zip pocket is ideal for my keys, 20 baht and a protective place for my Nano when I get caught in the tropical rains.

12. What other exercise do you love and why?
I completed the Laguna Phuket Triathlon last year which meant I had to train all three disciplines. I thought I could swim until I started swimming lessons – I dreaded them each week. The teacher would put us through drill swimming and we’d end up swimming 2 km in an hour. I now have fallen in love with swimming.

13. What contrast does it provide to running?
Swimming complements running really well as it works all of your muscles, especially your triceps (an area for me which needed some work). It also is low impact so it gives my knees a break too. It’s also much cooler and ideal for when the rainy season sets in and we have daily torrential tropical downpours.

14. Quick fire question: Love running hate what?
Love running hate litter.

THOOSA LOVES

I found this article the other day by Homa Khaleeli and thought it was fantastic. The writer seems to exemplify a really important part of the Thoosa philosophy. Running regularly, exercising regularly can make you happier. You begin to focus on what your body can achieve, how you can push yourself that little bit further.

What is always apparent when reading Thoosa Inspired is that running makes people feel better, and that regular running can be something you enjoy, not because of weight loss or looking thinner (nearly always thought of as the most important motivation within the media), but because you will feel stronger. You'll have taken time out of your day and no matter how reluctant you may feel before you start your run, you will always feel better for having done it. You’ll enjoy it. And if you look fantastic whilst running in your Thoosa gear, that’s pretty great too. Read and enjoy.

THOOSA LOVES!

The next instalment of Running with the Kenyans by Adharanand Finn is out today. It’s a lovely piece in which he finds that tea and rest is as important as the training, we couldn’t agree more. After which he manages two training runs in one day. Finally he’s finding his Kenyan feet!

THE THOOSA REVIEW...HEALTH AND FITNESS!

We haven’t reviewed this magazine before, and I admit I only bought it because Tracey Anderson was on the cover. Apparently she can change your body. I wasn’t passing that by.

I’ve heard so so much about “one of the world’s hottest personal trainers”, mainly due to her A list clients such as Madonna, Gwyneth and J-Lo. It was great then to actually read about her. How she refined a technique to help women achieve the ultimate toned, defined body. Her “method” evolved over 13 years and drew from her experience at dance school and her research into how different movements affect different muscle groups and how she could alter her body shape without adding bulk. In addition to the article there are 5 exercises to try at home. And while I’m never quite sure if I’m following the moves correctly, I definitely have thought about investing in her DVDs. Good work for one magazine.

Also, what really stood out from other magazines, were the articles that focussed on the mind as well as exercise. There is a great article just about breathing. It sounds so simple but breathing properly can not only boost your workout, but also relieve stress. In a recent study the Group Health Research Institute in Seattle found that deep breathing can slash stress levels by up to 40% immediately, and keep them at less than 50% for three months after the deep breathing session. The article has a ‘try it yourself’ exercise to beat stress and also ones to boost your workout, crank up your concentration and more. I’ll definitely be giving these simple solutions a try.

Another article talks about the effect of emotional burnout. While this word may be banded around quite a lot the suggestions to beat it, from the psychologist Joan Borysenko, sounded pretty wise. We can all feel as though we suffer from emotional and physical exhaustion, and the guilt of that can sometimes stop you from helping yourself. Try and get a change of scenery, apparently any new experience can re-inspire; a mantra supported by science apparently. And, as someone in search of some zest in life I’m taking the advice!

I really enjoyed this magazine. If you’re looking for a fitness boost/inspiration this month I would definitely recommend it. It also (!) has a little extra magazine called “Running into Shape” There’s nothing that new in this little book, but it great as a handy running aid and has some useful tips. There was a great buying guide “what to remember when you’re choosing your trainers’, definitely worth a read.

Basically we loved this magazine. Good stuff!

THOOSA'S FEBRUARY - RELAX

February is one of those months that you’re almost half way through without even noticing it’s begun. Perhaps it’s because January seems to start just after Christmas and drag on, and on and on. Perhaps it also has to do with the dreaded Valentine’s Day being slap bang in the middle of it. I bury my head in the sand and try to ignore the inevitable slight disappointment, despite knowing it’s just a marketing ploy blah blah. I still admit to liking it a little. Anyway, everyone seems to be in training for half marathons and marathons but it’s important to make time to relax, and we at Thoosa have some lovely suggestions for you.


1. This week’s Film – Never Let me Go. Out today, this is a Brit tour de force starring Carey Mulligan, Keira Knightly and the gorgeous Andrew Garfield. An adaption of the fantastic yet unsettling bestselling novel of Kazuo Ishiguro. A must see if you’re a fan of the author, or British actors at their best

2. Susan Hiller, Tate Britain, London, SW1, 1 February – 15 May 2011.
The first major retrospective of Hillier’s work in 15 years. An eclectic mix of British seaside photos and projections of Hollywood starlets. A lovely way to while away a Saturday afternoon.

3. Sky Bar, Point Hotel, Edinburgh, EH3.
Thoosa are massive fans of lovely cocktails and picturesque views. This stunning location combines the two. The bar only opens the last Thursday of every month so if you’re planning a romantic getaway, book in advance and then enjoy the view. Perfect.

4. Adele, 21, This album is beautiful. Thoosa has a huge soft spot for Adele. Previous lyrics of hers are truly for the soul. 21 takes on Deep South influences with a disco edge. Listen and love.

5. Spiceworld, The Exhibition, Leeds, 28 January – 3 July. A bit of nostalgia can be a good thing we think. Especially in the form of all things gaudy and girl power! This exhibition charts the Spice Girl phenomenon with more than 4,000 pieces of pop memorabilia that should have you zig a zig ahhing the day away.

6. Frankenstein, National Theatre, London, SE1
This is on our wish/lust/dream list of things to do in London. A large-scale adaption of Mary Shelley’s classic novel, starring Benedict Cumberbatch (BBC’s Sherlock) and (!) Jonny Lee Miller. Need we say more?

THOOSA LOVES

I came across this article about running in Kenya the other day. I thought it was completely inspiring. The Kenyan attitude to running is described with beauty and it really makes you remember the simplicity of running. You can just run.

THOOSA NEWS!

Yesterday the sun shone and its timing couldn’t have been better. It’s as if it knew that Thoosa would be launching our new range of products for spring summer on the website. The Thoosa website is now up and running again with our fabulous new range for the new season that is sure to put a spring in your step, or run!

Some Thoosa favourites are available in new colour ways that will work well with our previous collections, or you could create and entirely new running wardrobe. We are loving the empire line of the new Swift Tee, it’s perfect for hiding any indulgences. Well, in fact we love it all. If ever we wanted to get outside and run it’s now. Hurray!