Running. I Can Do That Now.

Seven weeks ago I ran for one minute. That’s all I COULD run for without getting out of breath, so that’s all I EVER ran for. So that’s ALL I could run for.

I was advised against running because I had asthma and it makes running difficult, but the pattern of the above paragraph kept playing over in my head. If I didn’t do something, I wouldn’t be able to do it, so I wouldn’t.

I can, and people do, apply this to other parts of my life. I’m bad with numbers so I rely on electronics. I have To Do lists because I err towards the flighty.

I don’t like crowds because I tend not to make an impression and until then worry how much of a matter me being there makes.

When my job determined I did a lot more driving and far less walking, I became really unfit, even to the point where common colds became battles for breath.

A few people tried to warn me off running because of my general health, and when they did it came from the right place, but this encouraged me even more. And now, two months on, I can run three miles without stopping. That’s twenty five minutes flat.

I don’t want to gloat here, but if I can’t gloat here where can I? I am really pleased with this. And I’m not saying you can’t, because I’m sure you’ve got your thing that would help you. There must be an obstacle that may seem more of a bet than an investment.

They always say that with investing you should never put in what you can’t afford to lose, but with personal matters you probably have nothing to lose.

I can run for twenty five minutes without stopping. And in two weeks I’m going to make that half an hour. That’s more than I have been able to run for the last twenty three years.

In France, I ran between cornfields through valleys past war graves while tractors passed me. I was someone more than myself. Churches pulled closer with footfalls. FOOTFALLS.

I hope you’ll do some things. Not for anyone else, but for you – although they could benefit if you do. Sort out your photos. Stop biting your nails. Learn your seven times table – you don’t REALLY know it. Read in the evenings. Write in the mornings. Ask someone to recommend an obscure favourite band. Complain where you should have. Drink more water. Get some rest.

This one’s for you.

Take care of yourself.