I have said many times that running transformed my life………….but is that true?
Did it just change my habits, my fitness and the way that I exercised?
As a child of the Fifties, I was brought up playing in the street with the neighbouring kids, exploring fields and bombsites, climbing trees and spending as much active time outdoors as possible.
From twelve years old, my schoolmates and I went Youth Hostelling in the Lake District, becoming awestruck with the glories of those mountains and stretching our bodies physically to conquer the great heights of Helvellyn, The Old Man of Coniston and so many other iconic peaks that left an indelible mark on our impressionable souls. I was no sportsman, so my physicality was directed away from team sports. I only ever ran when I was taking the dog for a walk.
When I moved to my wife’s native county, Devon, I learned to appreciate a gentler inland landscape, surrounded by the gloriously rugged coastlines to both North and South.
With our children we continued to walk, but also to cycle, belly board and windsurf.
The outdoors has always been my environment of choice, with its richness of flora, fauna and natural wonders.
When I did start to run, at the age of 57, I was already in love with the natural world that I live in and so running just regularised my exercise regime. Three runs per week became the norm. It gave me the opportunity to intimately observe the changes in my locality as the seasons passed. I watched the swallows leave for Africa in the Autumn and smiled to myself as they returned faithfully in the Spring, along with the swifts and martins to their old feeding grounds in our skies.
I recognised the seasonal progression of plants too, trying to ascertain whether the old adage “Oak before ash, we’re in for a splash. Ash before oak, we're in for a soak” was true, one way or another……………I am still not convinced.
So while my running helped me to appreciate my natural environment, it also focused me enough to be concerned for its future.The effects of modern farming practices also impacted on my running routes. They were waterlogged at times, drying out to a dusty rutted, unstructured pan and then being washed away as silt, simply because many farmers are not paying attention to the structure and health of the soils. They are destroying the very life-giving tilth of the planet to maximise the return, by poor practices and overuse of chemicals. The brutal hacking back of hedgerows, often unnecessarily destroying habitat for insects, birds and mammals is also evident.
Had I just been a very regular walker along those same routes, then I would have experienced the landscape in a similar way, but I believe that having fully oxygenated blood heightens the senses and the emotions, so that the communing with nature took on a more profound aspect. Nature was to the fore in my running experiences. Not chasing performance numbers.
I have the good fortune to live in a small rural town, where I can be beyond housing in any direction within a few minutes, so my "home" runs are all on familiar footpaths. These routes are deeply imprinted on my psyche and one particular ridge, down which I have run literally hundreds of times on 5k runs, is open to the view to the West of Cosdon Hill dominating the Northern flank of Dartmoor. This view changes through the days and years and is probably where I started to smile as I ran, through the sheer joy of being part of this beautiful scenery.
Did I ever mention that I smiled when I ran?
Especially after my cancer diagnosis, I eased back on trying to improve speed when running and most of my runs became gentle jogs, which increased my appreciation of my natural surroundings. Runs became more meditative in their nature. My thought processes became deeper and more involved. Running became more cerebral than physical in many respects. All this helped me to rationalise and come to terms with my diagnosis and life in general. I even gave myself permission to stop whilst running and observe in greater detail. I remember, one day, spotting a wren who was about six feet from me, hopping through some cut brashwood. I am sure that our awareness of one another was mutual and for a good three minutes we observed one another with curiosity and in my case wonder. A delightful privilege that I could have so easily overlooked……………but it made my day.
While running was the activity driving the process, it was the fact that I was so deeply entwined in my natural surroundings that helped produce the healing balm. It is well known that just being in a natural environment, as opposed to a man-made one, is good for the spirit and the soul. The same result is unlikely to occur in the sweaty atmosphere of a gym.
When, in May 2022, I had to hang up my running shoes, because the cancer had made my spine too fragile to risk the impact, I still kept walking, cycling and swimming, immersing myself in the natural world as much as I could. I still appreciated the song of a blackbird as much as the awesome power of a thunderstorm, as my mobility has slowly diminished.
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That continues, but this week my highlight was the sight of a perfect brand new Red Admiral butterfly, browsing on the startlingly white, sun soaked flowers of a white buddleia in our garden, viewed from a sitting position on the ground, where I arrived after my legs gave way under me. That day was a milestone in my disease. I have been losing leg strength quite rapidly over the last couple of weeks, but today they effectively have no strength in them.
I have been walking in recent weeks with the aid of a rollator (a four wheeled walker with a seat and brakes) but the distance that I could cover has diminished very rapidly. With help of OTs, nurses and physios I still maintain the ability to cross a room, if the muscles will obey the commands, but to all intents and purposes I am losing that too.
Most of our skyline view is beautiful fields and trees which cover the hills surrounding my home town. The wonderful NHS have provided me with a hospital bed and I am fortunate enough to be able to elevate it so that I can appreciate that which still surrounds and inspires me. While not yet totally bedbound, I am effectively housebound, since we have steep steps out to the road, so I will have to be satisfied with our views, which fortunately I maximised when we built our extension.
I will watch the crows on the next door roof, patiently waiting………for what?
Skeins of Canada geese will fly overhead, urging one another on with their humorous honks. (That always makes me smile, just like running.)
The skies will provide a never ending show of light and dark and I will have the wonderful memories of all the runs that I have had during my, all too brief, running career.
These will always be my runs……
the brush of the cool autumn dew on my legs
grey oaks, silhouetted against the lightening, misty morning sky
a full moonset and the first warming rays of sunrise, all on one run
the raucous call of the morning rooks
beady eyed herons stalk the riverbank
distant Dartmoor ….. an island in the mists
the smile on my face, the breeze in my hair
the winding run up Posbury Hill
a moorland run through heather, to the cry of the curlews
a Dorset ridge run, accompanied by larks, the sun on my face
a splash though the woods, my wife by my side, mud up our shins
the smile in our hearts
bemused security guards as I run through WOMAD festival at dawn
the seasons come, the seasons go
at one with the balm of nature
confidence in my strong runner’s body
the glow of satisfaction from a target met
these will always be my runs
run while you can
keep running, keep smiling.
Written by
IannodaTruffe
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It's hard to keep up with the pace of changes sometimes isn't it? And so much new stuff and kit to learn about. Tough to read but a great post, thank you for sharing it with us. All power to your memories and your sky watching.
You are so right GM. Knowing whether today's limitation will hold for tomorrow, worsen or just be temporary is a bit of a roller coaster ride. It is not inexorably downwards in all things, so the spirit will prevail.
Thank you ! Such beautiful words there’s so much to see and hear and I for one don’t take in everything that I see,that I should. I’m slowly learning to appreciate the early morning runs the sunrise and the tranquility it brings me . 😄🏃♀️
Those morning runs can become so much more than a sweaty blast designed to benefit your body. Your mind is beginning to appreciate the other benefits too.............you are hooked, surely.
Such an inspiring post from you IannodaTruffe, you have given the best advice to us runners, one of your favourite runs you mentioned was the run when you saw the moon set and just a few minutes later saw the sun rising, that reminded me of exactly the same thing when I was on one of my runs, one of my most memorable runs was in late December 2020, it was a 8K around a disused football field only a 3 minutes walk away from where I live, I took a photo of a full moonset over the snow capped hills to the north west, 5 minutes later I took another photo of the sun rising in the south east over snow fields.
You have inspired many many runners on this forum with your expert advice, thank you very much 👍🏃🏾
You are quite right Al. I was referring to that harvest moon, which supplied both you in Scotland and me in Devon, the same spectacular experience...... which we probably would have only had because we were running.
We are lucky to have discovered the joys of running, even if it was a bit late in life .
I am convinced that if you cannot smile as you run, then you are pushing on the hard side............not something that we should be doing to hain maximum benefit from our exercise. It always sounds to me that you have the running balance absolutely correct..........with fun playing a major part of your exercise.
Beautiful experiences, so beautifully written. 🙏🏼 Thank you for sharing such inspirational memories with us, Tim. 💗 So much Love to you and your family.. 💕💕💕
The fact that I felt that I could write so openly on this forum, is testament to the sincerity of the forum members, whose care and consideration is so much to the fore.
I reciprocate your best wishes.......... and of course, the smiles.
Thank you, yet again, Jan. So perhaps the answer to my first question was that running did nothing more than reinforce my love of the natural world................but then again I loved the process of running too.
We all help one another simply by our presence in the community, telling tales, or asking questions. Your response here is enough to show that you are a caring member of our community.
I have stated before that I don't want to be identified as a victim of cancer, nor that I battled the disease, but there is no escaping it as I get nearer to the sharp end.
Thank you for the beautiful and touching update, for all your helpful posts, and for spreading so many smiles. Sending love and virtual hugs to you and your wife and family.
Haha 😂 thank you Tim, certainly nobody ever put me in that category before.. but I suspect your advice has helped many people on here to find the hero inside themselves..x
We take so much for granted when we are well, it's easy to forget that nothing is guaranteed. You were wise to treasure those moments and store them away for now, when you need them.
Thank you for all the advice and inspiration and for continuing to share it.
We must all take every opportunity to protect our beautiful world from the insidious destruction that is taking place. The world must be kept safe, not just in our heads or memories.
I've just come back from week 4 Run 1 with my younger sister (repeat for me; fitness drive for her) and feeling grateful to have the strength in my body at nearly 69 to do this, and with someone I cherish. Out of the blue, I found myself awash with melancholy, guilt and grief remembering my husband who died alone nearly 40 years ago. And then I read IannodaTruffe's post - really made me pause, think, cry, smile and feel uplifted by his profound commitment to living life so fully - reflecting, thinking, feeling, appreciating - even as his body gives way. Respect, admiration and love from me - along with all the others in this community that you've mentored over the years. Thank you.
I am so glad for you that you have the strength and the appreciation of your running. It is a valuable gift and I hope that I have highlighted for some that it should not be taken for granted. With much disappearing from my possible daily experiences, I have to appreciate all that I have left. That is still rich and is built on family, friends and my limited exposure to nature. However I am still glad to be here facing another day. I can see you understand that fully.
Thank you for an inspiring, and poignant, post. I find your advice immensely helpful & you will always be the voice in my head telling me to slow down to an easy conversational pace.
I've got tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat reading this post. So eloquently written. You're such an inspiration for others and have posted so much fantastic advice over the years too. Thank you and I wish you all the best.
The baton is being accepted gratefully and is blessed with insight, humanity and strength. Thank you for such a delightful and uplifting picture today.
You have such a wonderful way with words Tim and each and every one of your posts has taught me, inspired me and moved me. I think of you each and every time I run.
What an inspirational and moving post - reading this, and imagining your beautiful images transports me to being on your various runs, and is a timely reminder of how we often forget what is important on this mortal coil in our strive for fitness and happiness. What an amazing gift you have, to take in and appreciate all the wonders of nature both on your runs, and whilst dealing with the daily challenges of your current life. I've read all your posts since finding C25K, and have very much appreciated your responses, as they are all so helpful and encouraging - thank you for your amazing support and commitment I hope that nature continues to hold and comfort you in her nurturing hands, as she does all of us.
Another awe inspiring post and one which I will read over and over. If I can appreciate my surroundings half as much as you do, I will feel as though I’ve made a start - thank you again!
Thank you for posting such a very personal message. I am crying with both joy at the intensity of those images and sadness, but know this, you are such a part of so many peoples journeys, both physical and mental. You and your legacy are being and will continue to be, borne by us all. Your huge spirit will guide us and will keep running and smiling. Thank you.
A very bittersweet post. As somebody who lives in the area you'd be able to see, and perhaps used to run in, I agree wholeheartedly that we're so lucky to live in such a beautiful place. I know that I would get some physical benefit from running in a gym, but none of the mental benefits or the desire to get out there. Even in the winter, running in the dark with just a headtorch there's often something to see, whether it is a frog or toad on the path, or the glimpse of a fox, owl or deer. I'm so sorry that you can no longer access the places you used to, but I'm happy that you can still appreciate nature from home.
It's difficult to know whether seeing places you can't get to now is nice or whether it makes everything tougher. On the hope that it's the former, here are some ponies from the end of a recent(ish) run...
Devon is a joy that we really should keep secret and I had hoped to introduce one of my teenage walking cronies to the delights of Great Links Tor, which has become one of my favourites in recent years, but he will have to discover it himself.
I celebrate others discovering and enjoying the delights both of the moor and running and am not envious.
I’m sure I wasn’t alone in feeling tearful as I read that, yet you have always made me feel that I share in your zest for life when I have read your inspirational musings.
I read a lot of your stuff when I started running… and when I was on the IC and lost my way for a time …it encouraged me to come back stronger and run again and again. I’ve also recommended reading your posts to other new runners
I hope you can enjoy reading some of OUR reports now as you sit and look out of your window at the views and be with us in spirit if not in body 💕
Great post Tim. Like you a child of the 50s I got my first taste of the outdoors as a 14 year old in Snowdonia then as a 16 year old clmbing the old Man, Helvellyn and Great Gable. Wonderful times. One of your previous posts has got me back running after some bad health news but I now really appreciate what a gift being able to run is. Good luck Tim and thanks
Dear Tim, I've followed your posts for two years and have been dreading reading this one. I knew it would come one day following your diagnosis and your very honest updates in recent months. Half an hour ago I had to run outside in the dark as hundreds of geese flew over calling: this always fills me with joy! Then I read your post with a huge lump in my throat. So inspiring - I love your list of all your favourite runs and all your memories that bring you joy. Thank you so much.
Maybe I was naive, but while I knew this day was a distinct possibility, for which I could mentally and domestically prepare, I never dreaded it as an inevitability............ that bus might have got me instead. I have always tackled issues as they arise. It saves a lot of unnecessary anticipation.
As for the geese...... .. ...up there in the top ten!
As someone who came late to nature really, I hope I can create enough memories to carry me through when my legs can no longer. I'm so glad you've got a long and full list of memories to help your ease your spirit.
I know early ones are not really your forte but I ran upwards and into the sunrise this morning...
Sending you light and love, and truckloads of respect
Aaaaaaahhhhhhh, the sights we see as early risers and the emotions they raise in us as early runners. You can never have too many, but I have enough to carry me through.
Beautiful, heartfelt words that I will treasure. Your body may be restricted, but your spirit runs free. I will run with you, through the pinewoods, over the dunes and along the beach. Thank you. Ruth xxx
Dear Tim, thank you for sharing such a beautiful post. Thank you for all your selfless guidance and advice. I hope you know that you are greatly appreciated. Sending best wishes your way.🤗
Tim you inspire all of us to run the daily race using all our senses, all our determination, all our bravery .. you go deeper .. you inspire us to encourage and take others on this magnificent journey . …to always see the glass half full… to engage the gifts of life, memories & gratitude to their fullest .. you have taught us how to run, walk, live and die with fortitude, creativity and caring! Thank you!! Forever grateful for your example, strength and openness… you are a legend.. our legendary Ianodda Truffe!
Dear Tim, thank you for your posts, your inspiration and encouragement to others. I wonder if you know how many people you've ran alongside, motivating them to keep going and believe in themselves. And yes, that beauty of the natural world! Keep running, keep smiling... With heartfelt best wishes.
Oh my sweet friend, positive and uplifting as ever, as we have come to expect from you. I have never forgotten you were one of the first to welcome me to this forum all those years ago when I graduated and called me a fellow runner, that meant such a lot to someone whose confidence in their running has always been shaky.
As you know I have been on a cancer journey of my own, and found those shaky abilities getting shakier and shakier, these days I walk more than I run, and I'm fine with that. I too remember all those little but so important things you would miss if you were storming along at warp 8, those "wren" moments that stay with you for ever.
I'm with you on disliking the words victim and battle, mostly these are used by non sufferers and don't help do they?
Things change, the important thing is to get the most out of every moment and cherish the friendships that running has given us. I don't come to this forum as often I as used to but you are often in my thoughts...
S, keep believing in the everyday wonderful. That will enrich and nourish you. Don't get embittered, because you know that will pull you down. Look for the love you can give and receive. Our bodies may get crushed by the disease, but our spirits can rise above.
Just like in C25k, believe in yourself, you are as strong as the challenge
Those wren moments can be the backbone of your life.
Absolutely not embittered, never! I'm just happy with what I can do, I love being out in the air, and light, and seeing the trees in whatever dress they are wearing.
These days there is not much difference between the speed of my walking and the speed of my running - DILLIGAF?
I have read your wonderful and poignant words several times already and cannot fail to be moved every time. I am sad for your loss and in awe of the wisdom you have gained by accepting the inevitable but refusing to let it get you down. You have given so many here so much with your sound advice and encouragement and your wonderful way with words. I wish I had found you sooner and listened to you more. And you still have so much to give. Rest assured, you will not be forgotten, in all those special moments out on a run or a walk or even a break, we will think of you and smile! Thank you for da Truffe🙏
Beautiful and emotional, thanks for writing and sharing it. I'll think of you when I run in the forests and along the rivers near Breda here in the Netherlands again - you made me appreciate my surroundings even more. 😔 Carpe diem.
Thank you Tim. And again, thanks for your great and useful FAQ posts, your beautiful reflections and your words of support, encouragement and (when needed) warning. You’ve touched and changed many people’s lives for the better - the greatest legacy of all.
What a wonderful appreciation of your life, even as the curtain closes (gently, I hope). These words will stay with me, and I’ll be drawing on them when I do my final C25k run on Saturday. Thank you.
I see you have now completed C25k and you are exploring the infinite running possibilities open to you. Go far and wide. Running is a great gift for life.
In the short time I’ve been here you have truly inspired me. Your beautiful words reflect such generosity of spirit and faith in humanity. I shall add my voice to all the others who have been helped by you. It’s a wonderful legacy - to have given us the faith to transform and enjoy this life we’ve been given. 🙏
Thank you Tim, for everything you have done on this forum. You must have helped hundreds or thousands of people over the years. Your wise words certainly helped me when I was introduced to this new running thing, and your inspiring posts will continue to do so. I laugh while I’m running (I’m glad I’m not the only one)
Your posts were my inspiration and guide four years ago when I started running and kept me going into the slow running and appreciation of nature which I enjoy today at 81. Your example of finding your own run, keeping smiling, living as you run has formed me as a jogger and kept me going through all the ups and downs. Thank you for all the technical/practical help and above all for sharing the spirit of your running. Safe journey. xx
Wow, just so beautiful Tim. Bittersweet but also really uplifting. And so much that really resonates. I'll carry a little piece of you with me on each and every run, and be sure to always smile as I go.
Such a beautiful post Tim, which has made me cry. You were so kind to me with generous words of advice when I was diagnosed with cancer last year. I will never forget that. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. X
You have such a way with words. The way you look at the world and everything in it. The way you deal with everything life throws at you amazes me. You are an inspiration to me and so many others.
I have heard of people who live in fear through their illness, almost denying the inevitable. I am fortunate in that I have no fear of death and that I have my family and friends supporting me and helping me keep my spirits up. The ability to speak out on this forum is also cathartic and very liberating.
It is difficult to know how one would react but I hope that I can be as dignified as you. I feel like I know you, I would certainly have liked to - you seem like the kind of person I would like to be. A wise person. I wish you well
Tim, you truely are an inspiration, for anyone feeling a bit down, and have helped so many people on the forum, with your advise, etc, including me when i started c25k, at the same age as you, 57, and know what an amazing thing running has done for me. I have lost alot of close family members, and know only full well, how we should try and enjoy life, while we are able to. I havent posted on here for ages, i had a short break from running over the summer, due to injury, but back on it now, usualy only 4/5 km a few times a week, but your post has made me realise how lucky i am, no great pace, but still able to plod along. Thank you Tim, god bless. 🙏
So sorry to hear of your passing, Tim, from Jenny. You and I spoke many times about running in your wood working workshop in the village where I used to live in Devon. I was a fast runner but learned from you the necessity of slowing down as I got older and became more injury prone. You would be pleased to know that I now only run 5K in about 30 minutes three or four times a week. No more long runs or trying to be fast anymore. The act of being able to run and enjoy the surroundings is what is most important at my age. Thank you Tim for your advice and support, and also your incredible joinery skills. You will be sorely missed.
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It's been about a year....
Running in the Algarve
