I love it now but nothing is linear…. I hated running at school.
Then I did a marathon, badly. Got shin splints and hated running even more….!
Then 10 years on I did an Iron Man for Sands Charity and enjoyed the marathon…?!
By then I was coaching so practising what I teach and avoided injury, and I enjoyed it.
I’ve run 10 charity wild marathons and 2 ultras since.
I love the freedom, wild spaces and people I’ve met along the way, they are truly special.
Then randomly I had acute myopericarditis and a blood clot so I couldn’t run.
Nearly two years on I decided to practise what I teach and be brave. To start again.
A gentle Parkrun UK , the short Maverick Race, giving a workshop and talk at the Bristol Running Show, and then resting to decompress and realign.
I am nervous it will trigger something again due to a peripheral vascular leak but I know I’m sensible. I’m grateful I can walk and talk, simple things.
My lovely Bert Hound of Happiness dog has a mast cell tumour and life is limited. So I’m putting little things in place to help me when he’s moved on. Walking him is my happy, peaceful place.
Why tell you all this…?
Well, I don’t know anyone who hasn’t had an injury, life struggle, doubt or fear. It’s part of life’s rollercoaster.
Sometimes by sharing the words behind the picture can help someone, give you hope or possibility.
So if you’re feeling nervous or unsure about starting over, taking a break or working out you new reality, I can help you.
And you can do ‘it’.
Start small, slowly, bravely.
It won’t be easy but it will be worth it… fear sits next to love, welcome all the feels…
Life shrinks or expands in proportion to our courage.
It’s ok to shrink for a while, and then it will be time to bravely expand.
For you’re worth it and I believe in you.
Let me know what you’re going to do and if I can help at all, from beginners to overcoming injury/illness to big crazy challenges, I’ve got you.
Big brave support, you’ve got this and possibilities lie in the unknown.
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