Running

I’m a runner, not a super quick one but not too slow either. I joined our local athletics club when I was about 11 because a couple of my mates, who were twins, went. They were way better than me because their parents were coaches at the club so had gone for years. I was always above average at school sports day and the weekly cross country in games lesson so the athletics club was a great new place to go. We trained outside in all weathers, sometimes dragging big tyres, sometimes hurdling, other nights it was high jump, there was always someone around who had coaching knowledge to help whatever you fancied trying. I liked it and raced for the club a few times at home but also on the club bus going to stadiums or cross country courses around the county. I was ok but didn’t have that competitive urge to push with determination, I was (still am) the same now, I’m just too laid back to be concerned about winning at all costs!

I think I stopped going to club when I couldn’t resist motorbikes anymore, pretty sure some older lads had a battered up moped and we used to take it to a field and build ramps and stuff. Anyway that put paid to my running club days…but not my running.

I could always do it fairly easily and found it an enjoyable thing to do. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not dedicated to going out three or four times, doing 50 miles a week, nope that’s not me at all. I try to go out once or twice a week and am happy doing 3 to 6 miles a time, at my age now I’m averaging 7.30 minute miles and I’m happy at that.

I never run with music because I like to hear my feet, the birds, the wind, the trees, the traffic and if I’m running with a friend we chat together. I’m not exactly a sociable runner, never once done the local Parkrun, I tend to be out and back before the 9am start on Saturdays. It’s funny because we play a game where we study any runner coming towards us and we guess if they are going to say ‘hi’, ‘hello’, ‘morning’ or just blank us. Sadly most do the later and it appears to be based on clothing. I’m a bit of a scruff, all the best fabric but a mishmash not favouring any particular brands so I reckon there’s an element of snobbery involved…or maybe it’s just the fact many are wired for sound and closed off from their environment. Anyways the game always breaks up a few seconds waiting to find out!

I’ve run the Great North Run half marathon 3 times so far and have to say it is probably the best day you can experience as a runner, great course, fantastic atmosphere and such a positive day which shows running and runners at their best.