All work and no play- no way!

How my idea of fun has evolved to include a bit of exercise

Welcome to my 4th post, which I started before South Yorks MCA Active travel ambition event with ATE & Landor Links and I’m now returning to, while reading the excellent book about the National Cycle Network by Laura Laker I’ve also just finished Wild Service by the amazing activists from Right to Roam

2 books that speak of the importance of access to safe, inclusive & attractive spaces for walking, wheeling, cycling, everywhere, for everyone

The amazing Yvonne Witter of Peak District Mosaic, Ed Clancy Active Travel Commisioner for SYMCA- and thoroughly good bloke!) at speakers at SYMCA ATE ambition event

After thinking about being active at work, there was only one place to go really. It had to be more personal, thinking about the friends & family outside of work who help me- and themselves- live an active life.

So many smiling faces! Collage of happy times out with running friends for International Women’s Day 2024

I had been an active person in my teens and twenties, when I was a big everyday walker & hill walker a few times a year. I only ran for a bus & cycled a little bit on holidays. Then in my 30s I became a Mum & wanted my kids to benefit from being active , but I didn’t have a clear idea of how this would work for my family, or for me. The truth was, I wasn’t as active as I had been.

What motivated me was other parents & friends. People around me, were the most help of all. To (mis!)quote Yvonne at the ATE event, I began running at the tender age of 43, but not because a government guideline told me to.

I think about this, every time I talk to someone in the consulting room, who is thinking about being more active- who have they got around them? Is it friends, a colleague or family member? If they have to do this on their own, what would motivate them to do a bit more? Can I connect them into local community events? Is that a bit too much for the minute? It has to be just right, just now. And these conversations usually only happen with patients I have a continuous relationship with. There are amazing GPs writing (much better than me!) about the importance of continuity in primary care having good conversations about living a healthier, more active life is just one of the benefits.

Bluebells and a small Robert, 10 years ago in Yorkshire Sculpture Park.

For me, after reading a good article about another Mum who ran with her kids I was motivated to give it a go. But how ? When? Where? I didn’t know as I wasn’t having conversations about it. I had made the classic error, starting C25K at the wrong time, in the cold New Year, on my own. I now run year round, with friends I have found- you don’t want to let someone else down, so you have to get those trainers on!

Percy Pud run in Loxley Valley 2019 with the fabulous Dr Claire Williams

I managed to crack C25K on a summer holiday, sort of! It took me 6 months to get to week 6 of the 9 week program- where you start to drop the breaks.

2017, wearing my eldest son’s football shoes, as I didn’t have trainers of my own

So after some false starts, I now can’t imagine a life without running at least once or twice a week. It’s a priority for me, but it has taken time & support from people around me. I feel better for it, both physically & mentally and I hope my family get to experience this themselves too- but that is up to them to figure out. I can only share what works for me, we are all different.