Jessica Morgan

Want to know how I went from someone who thought ‘how on earth do you have fun running when, after five minutes, you’re fighting for your life?’ to a legit marathon completer? I’ve got three pieces of advice. First, don’t overthink it. Pop your trainers on and head outside – you’re already halfway there. I started small: just like that. I signed up for my first 5km. I hated it: my legs hurt, my lungs burned and I muttered ‘fuck this’ the whole way round. But I finished. Then, join a running club. I am now part of Run Dem Crew, where I’ve found some of my closest friends. While the pandemic has stopped us from meeting up, my weekly runs make me feel closer to them. I log my mileage on an app, checking in with my friends. It has become a lifeline during lockdown. To my great surprise, I actually enjoyed putting myself through pain And finally, realise that not every run is going to be your best. Just after my 5k I joined LDN Brunch Club, a running collective who meet on Sundays and hunt out the best brunch spots in the capital. On my first day, I leapt out of bed, picked my best outfit and headed to Shoreditch. I was terrified: 20km was the distance. Little did I know my poor inexperienced muscles (and smoker’s lungs) would pack in at 8km. I tapped out, let the group go on without me and sulked. But I got back up again. The following week, I joined the group again, only this time on a shorter route, chatting with the runners along the way. The social element made me forget the

This week's magazine was a tribute to all the brilliant Black-owned businesses in London. With Black Pound Day coming up this weekend (Saturday November 7), here are three to spend your cash at.  ‘Running a shop in the pandemic has been trying’ Photograph: Ricky Darko Gynelle Leon launched Prick London, a cactus shop in Dalston, as the houseplant trend kicked off in 2016 I chose to follow my passion, which just so happened to be in a very white, male industry. My presence alone shows that you can succeed in any industry you want and, being a visible Black female owner on the high street, inspire other Black people. I love plants, especially succulents. They are great for my wellbeing and they fill me with wonder. I am constantly learning and love passing that on. We are the first and only cacti and succulent boutique in London. All of our plants are low maintenance and long-living, which suits [our customers’] modern lifestyles and contemporary interiors. Running a business in a pandemic has been trying. I went from having all my systems in place – staffing and childcare – and then these all went out the window. At the same time, the business increased five-fold. Supporting Black-owned businesses is a small way to try and level out the playing field. Due to the disruption of our communities, the slave trade and other colonial acts, we lack the generational wealth that other communities have. I’d love people to support our business by making a habit of leaving reviews. Or by