Tag: allaroundtheworld

Quotes for life, love and laughter…

I collect quotes. Almost every day, something, somewhere gives me an aha moment and I keep them for days when I may need them. Sometimes these quotes are inspirational, humorous, or they just let you know that you are not the only human feeling the way you do. It’s just a human condition. You are not alone in this, whatever it is.

So today, I wanted to share some of my favourites in the hope that some of them will strike a note with you too.

So here goes:—-

On the subject of life:-

 

   

On the subject of running or just taking action, these ones I love.  I came across a gentleman called Alistair Jones on Twitter who writes poetry.  His poems are witty,  encouraging, fun and always a delight.  He has kindly allowed me to include a couple here.

 

And then just for fun, these one always made me smile:-

Have a great week everyone.  Hope it’s a good one for you and yours.

Until soon.  Be happy.

 

The road ahead is never quite as planned

As you would know, I started this whole running experience to set myself a new challenge, something I felt I needed. I also love new events i.e. new routes when walking, new places to visit, learning new things, particularly those that are a bit hard, but have a logical outcome. For example learning Russian is not currently on my bucket list, only because I don’t know anyone who speaks Russian, I’m not planning on moving there, so it seems a bit pointless.

Learning running has a completely different planned outcome. There is the getting fit, feeling healthy aspect, weight control, and the whole idea of new physical challenges does appeal. I keep dreaming of finishing a big event and how fantastic that would feel.
I wasn’t prepared or expecting all the little wins along the way.

For a start, this whole running community (I have mentioned this before) are truly an awesome group of people. They have so far been incredibly supportive, completely embracing, and seem to celebrate everyone’s success whether you are a 100km trail runner across the French Alps or a struggling 5km runner like me. I didn’t even know they were out there until I started running, and they have been an unexpected win.

I have started to tweet and in the process have found a huge group of runners from around the world who support each other, laugh together, write poems for each other about the hardships and joys of running mostly. They are kind, generous of spirit and joyful. They have been full of advice and encouragement. Once again, such a win, and certainly wasn’t planning on finding them.

I signed up to InTraining Running Club this week which I am also excited about.  I am better at a group thing, being part of a team, and sharing the struggle.  I have signed up for their beginner classes and am really looking forward to the new challenges that is going to bring.  I start next week so will let you know how that goes.

Most of all, for a girl who found it hard to run 40 seconds non stop a few months ago, to now running a slow 5km, the win is that it has given me lots of happy endorphins and making me high on life.

Have a great week everyone.

 

 

Motivation through quotes

I find quotes motivate me. I come across particular ones and they hit a chord within, propel me into action, or just make me feel more determined, motivated, accepting, kind, upbeat, strong, powerful or validates what I am thinking right now.

I wanted to share these quotes with you because they may help you along the path too.

The first one that is a favourite goes like this:-

“New day,  new blessings, new opportunities, new start, new mindset,      new focus, new intentions, new results.”

I read this one often, particularly when yesterday didn’t go as well as I had planned, or just ended up being a nothing kind of day that leaves you feeling a bit blah.

One that follows from this one is, and one I absolutely love:-

“She needed a hero, so she became one…..”

 

There is a short poem that I read that speaks to my belief in sisterhood and how the very best can happen when women support each other:-

“Hey girl, I see you there.
Trying, showing up.
pushing through even when it’s hard.
Choosing energy forward over staying stuck.
Backing your talk with action.
Standing up and fighting for your fairytale.
I like what you’re up to, keep doing it. “

by Natalie Brite

To do with running, I like:_

“Run the mile you’re in”  

I also like (and I repeat it to myself often)

“It’s a slow process, but quitting won’t speed it up”

And then, just for fun, I love this sign outside my local coffee shop:-

Have a great week everyone. Heading for my second Parkrun tomorrow.  It’s still making me nervous as I was last week, but am sure the nerves will fade as I do a few of these.

5 things I learned from my first ever parkrun

Well people. I did it. My 1st ever Parkrun. It was exhilarating and for the record, I ran 37:22 which I think may be snail pace, but gives me a target to beat next time. I was super impressed with the organisation of it all, and also how many runners turned up. I had done some research on Parkrun the day before and was amazed to discover how many Countries it is being held in, and how truly global it is. There is this whole world out there I didn’t know a thing about until I started running. Loving all the discoveries. I learned a few things along the way I thought I would share.

1. Runners are truly supportive of each other. I got some positive comments along the way such as ‘doing well’ or ‘keep it up’ which was unexpected and really helpful.

2. Other runners are inspirational and aspirational. I was a bit slow today but saw so many quick and awesome runners, and got inspired to do better, and thought that I could get better and quicker and fitter.  No sooner had I finished that I was planning next week and how I would attack it differently.

3. When you plan to do something, at some stage you have to stop planning and just do it whether you think you are ready or not. The fear of failure can stop you in your tracks. I have been planning a 5km run for months, and if it wasn’t for a quote I read during the week, I would probably still be planning.  It popped up in Instagram and was the Nike logo “Just do it” but seemed to be somehow speaking to me and it did propel me to action.

4. How awesome it is to achieve something new and challenging. This is not be underestimated.  I think we go through life and there is a period we are doing lots of new things and kicking new goals, but as life moves on, it seems to happen less and less.  I think we need new challenges all the days of our lives, and we need to work out what they could be, and how to achieve them. It doesn’t have to be physical, it could be mental, learn a new language, do an art appreciation course, something.  It’s mighty good for the soul.

5.  How truly wonderful woman are (men too but this is particularly for all the women out there)  I am blessed to have a couple of daughters and a sisterhood of women around me who support me and are there for me whatever I do.   We laugh (sometimes uproariously or get the giggles) together, we cry, worry, share thoughts and feelings and events and without each other, life would not be as glorious as it is.  I am sure the women reading this will ‘get it’.  Nothing like your girlfriends to hold you up and validate the person you are.

Until next time.  Enjoy your running.

Anne

p.s. Thanks to Sheila for coming today and taking these photos.  You’re a treasure.

 

 

Hello world!

How did I get to this place?

I am just over 60 years old, have some time for me, and have a yearning to do something big physically which is challenging and difficult and something I have never done before.  I have decided there may be a runner in me.

I want to connect with all of you who are feeling the same way, so that we can support each other, talk about highs and lows, and maybe meet up in a big running event somewhere around the planet and do it together.

Blogging is something I have seen others do, but never something I have attempted myself.  It’s a bit daunting.  But then so is running.

My story so far is that I have been doing a ton of walking, up hills and down dales, trying to get a bit fitter.

I downloaded a running app, one of those that takes you from nothing to running 5K and it’s going OK.  Some days I feel like an elephant charging down the road, as it feels heavy and thunderous and uncoordinated.  For the first time last Sunday it actually felt like I was enjoying it, and I thought  “yes, I’ve got it, this is how it is meant to feel” but then yesterday I was back to feeling heavy.

I read runner’s stories and they seem to just love it.  They can’t wait for their next run, and even when they have a bad run, the next one is going to be the one.  They talk about feeling at one, being at peace, loving the road and the journey.  This is how I want to be and feel.

OK, so for those of you out there, wanting to do the same, thinking you can take this on and become a runner, come and join me, lets do it together.