Mum on the Run

Muireann Carey-Campbell, or Bangs, as everyone seems to call her, is the fabulous and fit lady behind one of my favourite blogs, Spikes & Heels. Described as “a fitness site for badass women who train hard,” it’s an inspirational read. The site has just recently turned one, and if you haven’t bookmarked it yet, you are seriously missing out! I talked to Bangs about the weirdest fitness class she’s ever tried, her favourite brands and our mutual hatred for the term ‘bikini body.’

Your blog Spikes & Heels is inspiring so many women to get fit. Was the idea for it long in the making?
Ahh thank you! Well, it kind of came about almost despite myself. The more I was getting into fitness, the more frustrated I was feeling towards the traditional media aimed at women who are into fitness. I really disliked the pink/fluffy/all about weight loss approach to fitness. It didn’t reflect what I, or any of the women I was encountering on my journey, were about. At the time, it seemed more and more people were associating me with fitness anyway, so it just looked like all roads were leading to me starting a site. And no one was really doing my kind of site with the specific ethos and message I wanted, so I decided to do it. From inception to launch it was about three months in total.

You studied fashion, but have you always been into sports?
Gosh no! I’m not a natural athlete by any means. I played netball in primary school (as we all do), but by the time I was in high school, I was a dancer and that was my focus. I didn’t do any sports at all in school. It was just dance, dance, dance from the age 11 to 22. Then there was a period of prolonged inactivity until I was about 29!

I’m glad I’ve found someone who hates the concept of ‘bikini body’ as much as I do! Do you think the magazines will ever stop using that phrase and encourage people to get fit for life instead?
Man, I detest it. It’s such an unhealthy approach to fitness. Apparently women should only work out two months of the year to prepare themselves for two weeks on the beach. I think in general, the ethos of women’s magazines when it comes to fitness is all backwards. I work out because I love my body, not because I hate it. But the message they put out is that I should always be unhappy with some part of my body and something should always be improved. Sadly, I don’t think the ‘bikini body’ thing will stop any time soon, as women who haven’t yet found a healthy relationship with being active totally lap that nonsense up.

You love running, but have only quite recently started cycling. How do you find it and have you got any tips for anyone thinking about buying their first ‘proper’ bike? (Besides wear a helmet, of course!)
It depends what you want to use it for really. I have a great fixed wheel bike that I got second hand, that I love. My road bike is obviously a bit flashier. I had a proper fitting for that. I didn’t even know that was an actual thing, but it’s been invaluable. If you want to get into cycling more seriously, I think a bike fitting is imperative to get done. It makes sure the bike is properly set up specific to all your measurements.

What clothes do you feel the most comfortable in? And when it coms to sports gear, what are your favourite brands and items?
At the moment, I pretty much live in workout kit because I’m constantly training. I do love to dress up though and look very feminine and put together. When it comes to sportswear, I probably wear Nike the most and Rapha when I’m cycling. I also really like Sweaty Betty and Lululemon for really nice kind of cross over fitness/every day wear.

Lastly, what is the most bizarre fitness session you’ve ever tried?
Definitely aerial yoga, but it was amazing!

My ultimate girls crush, the gorgeous SJP.

Olivia Palermo rarely gets it wrong.

I love Clemence Poesy’s understated ‘rck chick’ look.

I wish I was one of those people who always looks immaculate, but in an effortless kind of way ,as I’m not a big fan of wearing too much make up or anything too revealing or colourful.

The reality is that I spend most of my days running in between my POP Fitness bootcamp class, Personal Training, the shop and picking the kids up or dropping them off to nursery and school. The result of this is that my hair is usually whisked up into a ponytail and my make up isn’t quite as neat as I’d hope as I usually have about 10minutes to get ready!

These ladies are on top of my girl crush list for their cool yet effortless style. Ok, I’ll admit that a bit of Chanel, for example, can make any outfit look fab. Maybe I’ll be lucky enough to own one not too  long from now…

Walker Leather Biker Jacket, £350 from All Saints – on my wish list.

Adding colour to my mostly black wardrobe with this French Connection jumper, £69 from POP.

I’m in love with this distinctive Danielle Foster Kelly tote, £395 from POP.

When in doubt, I stick on my petrel brodie skinnies, £85 from All Saints.

I have way too many pair of FINSK wedges. They are just so comfy and make my short legs look pretty fab! £280 from POP.

I love bulky statement jewellery, like this Moxham Taba bracelet, £57 from POP.

Here is a little selection of things I wear over and over again, with a few things that I have my eye on….

I know she may be an obvious choice for a “style crush” but I don’t care. I adore Olivia Palermo and, quite frankly, wish I had her wardrobe!

How have I only just heard about this?! Karl Lagerfeld’s Little Black Jacket exhibition is now open at London’s Saatchi Gallery. It’s free and you can go see it until the 28th October. The monochrome photographs have been styled by Carine Roitfeld and they fill the walls of four huge rooms.

The ‘little black jacket – LBJ’ that is now 58 years old is worn and has been photographed by Lagerfeld on style icons from Alexa Chung and Anna Wintour to Tilda Swinton and my ‘girl crush’ Sarah Jessica Parker, who says: “I would hope almost nobody comes by ownership casually. This is one of those kind of things some might call art, some might covet it. And one day, you’re fortunate enough to own it.”

With the price tag from £3000 all the way up to £20.000, I am pretty certain I will never own one. Maybe I’ll just have to buy the £65 coffee table book instead, or go see the exhibition and get one of the free posters…