About me

50+ AND RUNNING

Hello ,

I'm Mike, a 50+ bloke living in Haywards Heath who in 2017 decided to start running!   No, I hadn't just seen the film "Forest Gump".   Until then I had never owned a pair of trainers and definitely would never consider wearing lycra under any circumstances!   I was strictly a jeans and tour t-shirt type of guy.
 

In 2017 I found I was suffering from work related stress.   The way it was physically affecting me and leaving me feeling depressed was unbelieveable.   After a prolonged period of time it got worse and I decided I needed to do something positive and have some kind of control over it.   That was when I made the decision to take up running!

The results have been amazing.   I am much fitter, feel more confident and the effects of stress have been greatly reduced.   I have expanded my network of friends and acquaintances and as a result have a more active social life.   Somewhere along the journey I have lost three stone in weight which resulted in me having to go out and buy new clothes (woo hoo!).   I wish I had realised all of this years ago.   I believe that we can achieve anything that we want to (within limits) and it's all about a positive mental attitude and our own motivation.

I am not going to say that running is the cure-all remedy to mental health (that would be ridiculous) but it can help.   My GP said he could give me medication for depression but physical exercise was the best option.  Running is like Marmite - you will either love it or hate it!    You have to find what is best for you as a individual and what works.

Luckily I have a Missus who has encouraged me every step of the way.   She is also my chauffeur, stylist, washing guru and groupie!    Although most of the time I think she just likes to get me out of the house!   She often laughs at me saying things like, "A few years ago you didn't own a pair of trainers" or "Two years ago you would rather miss two buses rather than run for one."

So ... here we go, do you fancy an adventure?   What have you got to lose?