Introduction
The life of a long distance runner can be great as long as you keep training. However, stop doing that and start leading an unhealthy life for many years and it's not so good.
Over the years I have tried many times to regain my enthusiasm for running and get back to a relatively fit state, yet every time I have failed.
At my peak fitness I weighed 9 stone and ran on average 50 miles a week. I wasn't a great runner, but I was always somewhere near the front of the field, and on the odd occasion (when the quality of the field wasn't great) I even managed to win a few races. I was blessed to have the beautiful parks of Surrey & West London and the Thames Path on my doorstep. How could I let all that go and loose my shape.
For a male who is only 5'6" tall 9 stone is not an unhealthy weight, but many years on and add another 7 stone (that's 16 in total) then you know it's about time you do something about it. My last attempt was over a year ago. I managed to walk a few miles with short jogs incorporated. However, with pounding pavements and roads during winter nights and trying to build up too quickly, I soon tore my achilles and this would stay with me for over 6 months.
What made me try again came from a strange source. I got invited to take part in a golf tournament on 9th April 2017. It's a game I enjoy greatly and have played on many occasions over the years. In the last 5 years I have only played once and that was 2 years ago, and I got very tired towards the end. Playing a 7,000 yard golf course is a long slog, and when you don't always hit the ball straight and are carrying a full set of golf clubs, it can get a lot longer.
On the morning of the tournament I was having second thoughts and came close to bottling out. Yet, I drummed up the courage to take part. It was a long day and by the end of it, minus a few golf balls, I felt totally wrecked. However, I done it, enjoyed the day and the company of a few people I had not met in decades, and I felt I have achieved something. I felt maybe, this could be the start of my long run back to fitness.
And on the hole below, no I didn't end up in the water. I put it right onto the middle of the green.
That night I watched Sergio Garcia claim his first major by winning The Master at Augusta. It brought back memories of taking my two young daughter to watch him play Ernie Ells at the World Match Play Championship at Wentworth in 2002. However, on that occasion Sergio lost.
Now it's two weeks later and I'll keep you informed of my progress.
Over the years I have tried many times to regain my enthusiasm for running and get back to a relatively fit state, yet every time I have failed.
At my peak fitness I weighed 9 stone and ran on average 50 miles a week. I wasn't a great runner, but I was always somewhere near the front of the field, and on the odd occasion (when the quality of the field wasn't great) I even managed to win a few races. I was blessed to have the beautiful parks of Surrey & West London and the Thames Path on my doorstep. How could I let all that go and loose my shape.
For a male who is only 5'6" tall 9 stone is not an unhealthy weight, but many years on and add another 7 stone (that's 16 in total) then you know it's about time you do something about it. My last attempt was over a year ago. I managed to walk a few miles with short jogs incorporated. However, with pounding pavements and roads during winter nights and trying to build up too quickly, I soon tore my achilles and this would stay with me for over 6 months.
What made me try again came from a strange source. I got invited to take part in a golf tournament on 9th April 2017. It's a game I enjoy greatly and have played on many occasions over the years. In the last 5 years I have only played once and that was 2 years ago, and I got very tired towards the end. Playing a 7,000 yard golf course is a long slog, and when you don't always hit the ball straight and are carrying a full set of golf clubs, it can get a lot longer.
On the morning of the tournament I was having second thoughts and came close to bottling out. Yet, I drummed up the courage to take part. It was a long day and by the end of it, minus a few golf balls, I felt totally wrecked. However, I done it, enjoyed the day and the company of a few people I had not met in decades, and I felt I have achieved something. I felt maybe, this could be the start of my long run back to fitness.
 |
| Tee marker on the 1st hole |
And on the hole below, no I didn't end up in the water. I put it right onto the middle of the green.
 |
| View from the tee at the 16th |
That night I watched Sergio Garcia claim his first major by winning The Master at Augusta. It brought back memories of taking my two young daughter to watch him play Ernie Ells at the World Match Play Championship at Wentworth in 2002. However, on that occasion Sergio lost.
 |
| Sergio Garcia preparing to put on the 18th at Augusta |
Now it's two weeks later and I'll keep you informed of my progress.
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