Never believe a word I say

[turnturtle]

I did promise I wouldn't post again till after the marathon but I'm so chuffed with this article that I can't resist sharing it. The only downside is that some curmudgeonly reader posted a comment saying I was irresponsible and shouldn't encourage people to run as it was so bad for your knees and the human body wasn't designed for running and certainly not to run for pleasure. Also apparently I will pay for it later. So that's me told then!

yorkpress.co.uk/news/147552...

[ActonHighStreet]

Lovely article, shame about the curmudgeon! Leaving aside his lack of biomechanical knowledge, you have to have a severe lack of irony to basically say to a 70 year old, "You'll regret it when you get old, you know."

[turnturtle Marathon in reply to ActonHighStreet]

Thank you Mr High Street! You will note that there are some anonymous ripostes to his/her post. You will not be surprised to learn that my defenders may have a family connection!

[Oldfloss Administrator]

You look absolutely amazing. If this photograph is not an inspiration to anyone... then I do not know what is...

This photograph of you should be on a poster in every GP surgery... showing, this is what you can do..this is what life's about. The article is simply great and full of encouragement to folk of any age at all to just get out there and do something!

The reader who commented, really needs to take a long hard look at your face... and the viability and sheer energy and joy that you are displaying. Some people are unbelievable.

I bless the day i found C25K and a mere youngster of 66.. I count my lucky stars, every time I run... for the sense of well being and pleasure I feel. Thanks to people like you. x

This has made my day

[turnturtle Marathon]

Oh, Old Floss, thank you. I did make the photographer promise to apply a bit of Photoshop! I love running too. It has transformed me from a wine-swilling depressive into an addicted running bore. People still avoid me at parties, but at least my potential life span has increased and I'm saving the NHS money. And my knees are just fine thank you Mr/Ms Smudge, you miserable git!

[poppypug Marathon]

You look fantastic TT !

What a brilliant photo, you look so healthy and happy , absolutely amazing !

Your pooches look like they are having the time of their lives too .

Good Luck for Sunday, we are all cheering you on ! xxx

[turnturtle Marathon in reply to poppypug]

Thank you Poppy. The support I get from all you fellow C25Kers means so much to me xxx

[C3PO Marathon]

The article's great. I hope you get that photo framed. You look fantastic!

[GoogleMe]

That's glorious, really glorious. One of the best pictures I have seen of anyone running, ever.

I don't think the curmudgeon read the article, just trotted out a knee jerk (hahahaha) response. He got plenty of clues: "NHS" and that you'd had to have your knee done long before you took up running (ie *not* running is not a protection against knee troubles)

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon]

Great article, great picture, great inspiration! Good luck🙂!

[JaySeeSkinny Half Marathon]

Great picture, great story! What an inspiration! I think with the knees it's a question of "use it or lose it". My knees are certainly no worse since running, in fact they hurt more if I don't get any exercise for a few days. Good luck with Berlin!

[turnturtle Marathon in reply to JaySeeSkinny]

I quite agree Jaysee. Medical opinion seems to be that movement is essential to deal with arthritis and to keep ageing joints from seizing up completely. I think correct running form is really important too. When i started running, my knees and hips often complained after long runs, but since I started Pilates and thought more about my stance and posture when running ,my joints really haven't troubled me at all. What is indisputable is that being overweight due to taking not exercise really IS bad for your knees!

[aliboo70 Half Marathon]

You look brilliant! Both feet in the air too! Get the feeling youll be just fine on Sunday, your determination will not wain I reckon. And that person commenting doesn't have much of a clue, just jealous !😆

Enjoy your 1st marathon😊😆

[turnturtle Marathon in reply to aliboo70]

Thanks Aliboo. I'm determined to enjoy it, whatever happens. The whole point originally was to tick it off my bucket list, not to achieve an arbitary time. I must remember that!

[aliboo70 Half Marathon in reply to turnturtle]

That's the spirit!I'm really excited for you!😊

[roseabi Ultramarathon]

This is so cool, and that photo is amazing!

[Curlygurly2 Half Marathon]

Look at you! As Ali says both feet off the ground and an ear to ear smile! What an advert for running...I have no idea why people have to be such killjoys, one of my near neighbours who has never spoken one word of English to me in 13 years, stopped me in the street the other day (not when I was actually running) to say "it is not good to run" He must have looked it up or asked someone to translate specifically....You go Pam, I'm so looking forward to reading your Marathon report x

[benwill Marathon]

ohhh thats great, that must make you like really famous! Great photo as well dogs, smile, running, running of the ground! The best thing is your gonna smash that marathon!

As for the comment, that did make me laugh not sure how people can think like that really, he is obviously a bit of a moany person he doesn't like people having fun.

[ancientrunner Half Marathon]

Good for you - there's always someone knows better!! You are a great advert for C25K and an inspiration to us lot. Will be thinking of you on Sunday

[misswobble Marathon]

Way to go TT 😊 You are literally walking on air there. Your dogs look like they are enjoying it too ☺

You're a star 🌟

[misswobble Marathon]

Forgot to say, all the very best for Sunday 😊 I bet you are champing at the bit for it to be over 😀

[turnturtle Marathon in reply to misswobble]

No not to be over mw. Just want it to start! It's the days before a race I find nerve-wracking. I'm determined to enjoy - if not every minute of it (I know that's unlikely) then at least the total experience. I was a bit stewed up about it last weekend but thanks at least in part to the support and kind words from you lovely people, I now find myself in a state of surprising tranquillity. My daughter sent me a beautiful card from New Zealand with the message 'Believe in Yourself '. I have just packed it in my running case (we leave for Berlin tomorrow) and those words will now be my mantra

[misswobble Marathon]

Tomorrow! Ooooer. Exciting times TT. I shall think of you tomorrow, and send positive vibes for the trip and for the race itself.

Good luck!!!!!!! Bon voyage

[ju-ju- Marathon]

Oh my goodness this is such a fabulous article, you are a star!!!!! And you are airborne!! Go Pam, we are all going to be cheering for you

[turnturtle Marathon in reply to ju-ju-]

Thank you ! I think the fact I was running downhill helped. Did you notice the dogs are airborne too?!!Whatever happens I'll file a report at Manchester airport now. The journey begins!

[ju-ju- Marathon in reply to turnturtle]

I am so excited for you... dont forget to breathe and most importantly enjoy it.... take it in chunks like eating that elephant......

[turnturtle Marathon]

5K at a time! Thanks. I will! 😄

[AncientMum Half Marathon]

Looking fabulous TT !! We don't listen to people who say runners are irresponsible -what do they know!

Very very very very best of luck for Berlin, Sweetie *\O/* (borrowed mfamilias pompoms to cheer you on your way) xx

[mfamilias Half Marathon in reply to AncientMum]

I'll wave too, I've got spare ones

[secan]

It would be interesting to ask him why, if "the human body was developed to run just to escape a dangerous situation and was never designed to run for pleasure", toddlers and children run for fun when they play...

Enjoy Berlin and the marathon!

[Eatcakeandrun Marathon]

I read this post a couple of days ago, and only just had time to reply! What a lovely article, well done you! Great photo too. I hope you have the Best Time Ever in Berlin! And raise lots of money for a very worthwhile cause. And I hope I am still running when I am 70 ( but maybe not marathons..been there done that!)

[mfamilias Half Marathon]

Yeah go you! Proud of you, TT. As for your lovely commenter, they sound like they've had a bowlful of acid for breakfast... Reminds me of a picture fuelrunning.com/repository/...

[turnturtle Marathon in reply to mfamilias]

Love it! I can now conjure up a male. Version Of that to represent Smidge or Smudge or whoever he is- why do we all assume he's male ? 😄

[mfamilias Half Marathon in reply to turnturtle]

Funny, I was opting for female given the cattiness of the remarks.... I'm always the odd one out

[misswobble Marathon]

I recognise her! It used to be me!!

[Noaky12 Half Marathon]

What a wonderful picture Pam and a great article. Go you! Sod the grumpy commentator. Doesn't have a clue obviously!

I'll be thinking about you & cheering you on during the marathon

Fantastic! x

[turnturtle Marathon]

I am feeling so calm I can't believe it! Thank you all you lovely people who believe in me more than I believe in myself . Your support will carry me all the way to the Brandenburg Gate 😍

[Hillrunner2201 Marathon]

Stupid and inaccurate comment about knees;the people who make comments like that are usually couch potatoes who conveniently ignore the fact that being inactive and overweight is the biggest cause of osteoarthritis of the knees. And what inspiration that picture is for fitness at 70!!