Cool Running

Notes for Everyday Athletes

Farrah’s always authentic, sporty style.

When I tell people I enjoy running, they usually raise an eyebrow. Not out of disbelief exactly—maybe sympathy or surprise. But they always ask what gear I use.

Running is one of the most accessible, affordable, and oddly satisfying ways to move your body. You don’t need much: a decent pair of sneakers, a shirt that won’t cling, and some shorts. That’s it.

It’s also a perfect travel workout. I run most mornings on the road to clear my jet lag and explore.

I get that it’s not everyone’s favorite. Some find it too hard on the joints, too repetitive, or just too dull. Plus, there are more targeted ways to stay in shape—pilates, strength training, boot camps—but running helps my mind.

In Florence, Tracksmith shorts and a tennis club jacket.

Making Running Feel Better

The best advice I ever got, and now give, is this: run up. Not forward. Not fast. Up.

Imagine bouncing on a trampoline. Focus on lift, not length. And slow down—more than you think you should. The feeling is a jump-walk. Keep your body tall, straight, and your steps light. Arms close. Never pound pavement. Most people sprint out of the gate, especially men. Women tend to pace better, but even so, we all start out trying to prove something. You don’t have to. And your endurance will make sure of that.

I used to run marathons every month. I’ve learned how to avoid burnout and boredom. Occasionally, I get injured—not my knees, but my foot, the deeply inconvenient fascia that makes walking across the room feel unbearable. Even then, I wake up and want to run.

It doesn’t take distance to feel different. But that “high” people speak of only sets in after the first few miles.

When I asked Florentine rower Tommaso Capozzoli (above)—who wears a bespoke jacket like it’s a second skin—about his athletic regime, he noted that running is the most unexciting part of it. Even along the Arno, it bores him.

Getting Dressed