Yikes 😳

[FitV]

I used to be very fit, I've run a marathon in the past. Then I lived in China so couldn't train. When I returned to England I developed an Achilles problem. And now...I can't get motivated so need a push.

[Irish-John Graduate]

I dream of being able to run a Marathon

And some day maybe I will.

But for me right now - my marathon is just going out the door some mornings.

Once I do that, the running part takes care of itself.

You ran a Marathon - now you just have to go out the door tomorrow morning or whenever

I bet you can do that!

[FitV in reply to Irish-John]

Oh boy I love that. I'll remember to just be motivated to get out of the door. Thank you x

[JenniferCMS Graduate in reply to Irish-John]

Irish John - step out of the shadows! Your pic is so dark we can't see your sage-like expression when you're imparting your words of wisdom. Spooky!!

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to JenniferCMS]

Just call me the Wizard of Odd

[JenniferCMS Graduate in reply to Irish-John]

So, you're either hiding a nasty spot on your face, saving on electricity (or you've taken up potholing). Which is it?

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to JenniferCMS]

None of those Just feel more comfortable letting my words speak for themselves is all A photo of someone else on here drove me nuts for days trying to think if I knew them from the past. Turned out I did not, but they sure looked like someone I had known. Was very distracting for a while A lot of assumptions are made by and about people based on how they look - it's a lot nicer to just get to 'know' people instead And usually a lot more fun if you then (unlikely in this arena of course) ever actually meet them in person

[JenniferCMS Graduate in reply to Irish-John]

Was only joshing! Why do you think I haven't even posted a photo - I'm just a cartoon face with an (appropriate) pink glow!!!😀

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to JenniferCMS]

I didn't take any of it amiss Profiles are sometimes like Radio Vs TV. Sometimes its more fun to pain the pictures in your head I see you, for instance, as taller than the average lady with shortish black hair.

[Hidden]

This is a push .... please go run and rediscover your marathon legs or 5k legs, or whatever it is you want to do..... good luck with it

[FitV in reply to Hidden]

Aw thank you. I'm motivated to order some new trainers and I've just done a brisk walk. I'd love a push (or a hard shove) in two weeks time

[Hidden in reply to FitV]

Second push coming up - what's the 2 week wait for? And don't order new trainers just yet in case you decide it's not for you and then you've spent money unnecessarily....

[FitV in reply to Hidden]

The next two weeks I'm travelling but I'm going to do my best with the programme. I'll get the trainers as I know running is for me...I just haven't been motivated for a while. Thanks for really good questions! X

[Hidden in reply to FitV]

3rd and final push, get those trainers soon... looking forward to seeing your starter posts. Good luck

[FitV in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for the pushes. I hope your training is going well x

[Hidden in reply to FitV]

It is thanks - folk like Oldfloss and Irish-John are exemplars of encouragement. Follow them and you won't go wrong

[FitV in reply to Hidden]

So are you!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Get out there!!!

Start this and finish it...

We are all here and we will run beside you... ( not on the marathon though..only doing 10K currently :))

" Nothing will work, unless you do "

Looking forward to your first running post

[FitV in reply to Oldfloss]

10k! That's brilliant! Thanks for the encouragement 😊

[LeeU Graduate]

There are a few things in life you can quit on, in my case it's been chocolate, Wine Gums and Toblerone, one thing you can't ever quit on and that's yourself.

It's obvious you don't want to because you've joined this forum and looked at the program.

Remember the old Chinese saying, a journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step?

You've already done a brisk walk, you've taken the first step, keep moving.

[FitV in reply to LeeU]

Thanks for the encouragement! I hope your training is going well x

[Rignold]

why were you not able to train in China?

[FitV in reply to Rignold]

Heavy pollution gave me breathing problems.

[Rignold in reply to FitV]

ah. Yes. I lived in Japan in the early 90s and it was very similar

[Irish-John Graduate]

As an aside, what part of China did you live in ?

I am familiar with Liuzhou, Guangzhou, Yangchen, Hohhott, Chifeng and of course Beijing ( and almost became too familiar there with the gentlemen of Chang An street LOL).

Loved China - whatever else about it, they still have time for people

[FitV in reply to Irish-John]

Wow! I think you've seen more of China than I have although I lived there. I was in Beijing for a couple of years and visited Guangzhou and Shanghai. It was a brilliant experience.

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to FitV]

Quite honestly it's the only time in my life I found myself wishing I was a young man again and could try my luck over there.

Loved the people and culture.

[FitV in reply to Irish-John]

It's quite a tough place to live. I've spent some of my life in Africa and Asia so I'm comfortable with those environments but I found China tough. The people are incredibly kind to Westerners and I made some good friends. I learnt a lot too.

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to FitV]

Never dealt with Africa and never had a yen to except for whatever they are calling the upper Volta now, and there is an Oasis settlement further north I would have liked to have gone to. Lived in India and Bangladesh for a while and quick encounters with Pakistan and Thailand. Would have stayed in India for ever China is darn tough though in comparison - the language for starters, the writing for sure - you don't know what in heck you are buying or even if you are going into a food store or an undertakers sometimes until you are actually in the building

But - despite all that goes on in the background I found that the general air of cheerful open heartedness and, as you say the incredible hospitality to strangers made it a place I wish I could have remained in.

[FitV in reply to Irish-John]

He he. That's a really good description. I found the pollution really hard and it was difficult to get my head around all the effects of communism.

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to FitV]

As far as communism goes, I liked having all the corruption up front and in the open.

[FitV in reply to Irish-John]

In the open is good but... the conversation is getting complicated for emails. How's the running going?

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to FitV]

TG for running

[Jododds]

Putting your running socks on is the hardest part

[FitV in reply to Jododds]

I'll remember that - just get the gear on and don't make daunting plans in my head. I hope your running is going well