A surprisingly useful lesson from the corner shop on a budget

I know this is a tiny sample size, but after 5 attempts the pattern is pretty clear. When I keep the setup simple, I actually follow through.

I had a disappointing first try, a surprisingly good second try, and then a third attempt that taught me humility. So, naturally, I now have opinions.

Context: I am not an expert, just someone trying to make Running feel less intimidating. I wrote down what worked, what felt awkward, and what I would do differently next time.

I tried this in Manila with a friend and we both noticed the same thing: the social part mattered more than the perfect plan.