My school sports rant

A one mile leg-stretcher this morning after a seven mile run with the Harriers last night, which I really enjoyed.

It would have been my Dad's 87th birthday today, but unfortunately he missed it by just over 32 years, but I thought of him nevertheless.

I was chatting with various people on last night's run.

One conversation, which wasn't the first time I'd heard this, was about how one runner hated all sports when she was at school, because she was made to feel that she was no good at it, and consequently avoided it at all cost.

My situation was very different. I was lucky in that I was quite good at a number of sports at school and therefore got the opportunity to play and thoroughly enjoy a number of sports.

I think that my love of physical activity is probably the main thing that I'm most grateful for from my entire school life.

I also think that it is crucial that everyone gains a real appreciation of how important and how much fun exercise and sports can be when they are at school, and I find it very sad when school does the very opposite.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not an anti-competition proponent in schools, in fact exactly the opposite.

I think that everyone at school should have the opportunity to participate no matter what their level of talent. They should be made to feel that they are absolutely good enough with whatever skill level they have.

They should also learn to enjoy striving to increase their current skill level further, and have fun doing it.

You live up to your own expectations

"this ninety-five-year-old man came hiking twenty miles over the mountain. Know why he could do it? Because no one ever told him he couldn't. No one ever told him he oughta be off dying somewhere in an old age home. You live up to your own expectations..."

Another quote from my book of the decade (so far) - Born To Run.

That's my goal in life - to be that 95-year-old hiking over mountains because I don't know any better. But for now it's just day 53 in my run a mile each day programme.

While I was in the shower this morning, I worked out that I have already lived more days than my Dad did. He died at the age of 54, my age now, but I am already closer to my 55th birthday than he ever got.

When I look at it like that, each day is a blessing, each run is an incredible blessing. I feel so lucky and privileged to have been given the ability and the freedom to just lace up my shoes and be in motion with nature and the elements.

Blimey, I'm coming over all profound!

So anyway, my expectations? To love life, the people and experiences I encounter from day to day, and to stretch myself physically, mentally and spiritually a little more each day.

How long for? Who the hell knows but it's a stunning journey while it lasts.