Exercise

I started playing football when I was 8 years old. I then continued to play pretty much for the next 20 years. 
So many people have said to me " You, play football? You don't look the type"
But I loved it.

It wasn't about winning for me. It was about doing your best and enjoying it. Any team can get beat, that's not a problem, but I hated losing if the effort was not there. From me or my teammates. 

Solo events are different for me, I'm challenging myself, and that's fine. But in a football team you have to drive others on, it's a collective thing.

I've played football, tennis, volleyball, cycled, hiked. I even enjoyed badminton at school. For the last 15 years my main form of exercise has been running. Not short fast stuff, more the marathon and beyond distances, they seem to suit my mindset.

I've always walked everywhere, it's so cathartic. It can be a walk out in the countryside, it's almost spiritual. Or even just a stroll to the supermarket, it all counts. I like the feeling that if I want to go out and do 10 miles then my body will let me do it.

I've never been in a gym. That'll be obvious to people who know me! I'm sure it's great to have a good body, but I've never been bothered about how I look, I just want to be able to move for as long as I possibly can.

I've been thinking recently about my lifelong love of exercise. Always wanting to be doing something to keep healthy. And I now realise this one thing: 

Subconsciously, I feel that my fear of not being fit far outweighs my desire to be fit. I don't want to be unable to do things as I get older. I think all these years, I've been trying to futureproof myself.

Elderly people need to be able to get out of a chair or a bed. Get off the toilet or get up if they are on the floor. It seems a small thing but so many cannot do that for themselves as they get older. I want to be able to be active in later life. Not marathon running or anything stupid but to be able to keep moving is a great gift to possess.

On this bike trip I've met dozens of cycle tourers over 65 years of age. They are out in the fresh air. For me it's an inspiration, they are all happy, doing what they love. All different types of people, not always what you would class as the sporty type. But, you know what? Good for them. They are living, experiencing life and it's their body that is taking them on that journey. 
I absolutely love it.






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