First (very slow) steps

I have just been for a run. I know – it’s not a sentence you hear me utter very often. Definitely not as often as “I hate running”, “I’m rubbish at running” and “I don’t see the point of running”.

Incidentally, I also went for a run yesterday with a colleague. You probably know the type: She’s got it all together, is good at everything and always says the right thing. Despite running the worst time in the history of running apps, I came home truly inspired by the determination of a lady who went from being unable to run in March to someone who coaches and encourages others in June.

As we were running (read: talking), I realised that I might not be the only one ending her runs in tears of frustration. I’m not alone in deleting (and re-downloading) the C25K app. There are others who sweat their socks off, only to be overtaken by an old lady walking her cockapoo. Others who sometimes give up and need to find encouragement from somewhere to re-start again. And again. Oh, and again.

Over the last few weeks my negative attitude towards myself and my relationship with sport has been picked up on several times by people near & dear to me. There may be reasons why I struggle with stuff, but there are far greater reasons worth getting up for in the morning. I realise that my lack of fitness and self-appreciation may be stopping me from making new memories that may be so much better than the old ones.

So I want to set myself a challenge to change that: Over the coming months I am hoping to try out an A – Z of sports and blog about it. If you already do one of the activities listed below and think I could join you, please let me know. Alternatively, if you have been wanting to try one of them but have been waiting for your perfect “try-stuff-out” buddy: Ta-DAAA: your wait is now over. And if you have any suggestion to fill the gaps, please get in touch!

This may en up just giving me a vague incentive for moving more over the next few weeks. I may even find an activity that I truly enjoy. But maybe someone stumbles across this blog on a day when keeping moving seems simply impossible. It’s not getting easier, you can’t do it, it’s too hard, it’s just not for you… I hear you. Totally. And yet – no matter how bad you feel about getting up and out, there is no feeling better than coming home afterwards. Keep going!

A: Aerobics / Acrobatics

B: Badminton / Basketball

C: Cycling

D: Dancing

E: Equestrian (or Elephant Polo, anyone?)

F: Football / Fencing

G: Gymnastics

H: Hiking / HITT

I: Ice Skating

J: Judo

K: Kite Surfing

L: Limbo

M:

N: Netball

O:

P:

Q: Quidditch

R: Running / Rowing

S: Swimming / Spinning

T: Trampolining

U:

V: Volleyball

W: Walking

X:

Y: Yoga

Z: Zumba

Slow runners make fast runners look good. You’re welcome. Anna