This was a really fun and just lovely reading experience for me all around--thank you for writing this! 🤓 I also loved the short video of the race you chose to include at the end--such awesome energy / performance--great idea/way to offer the reader something extra special at the end. 🤗
Veronica, in one comment you have just summed up what I'm trying to achieve. Thank you for reading, for subscribing and for contributing. I do hope you will enjoy future articles as much!
Yes Jules! You picked a real winner. The BBC has been so lucky to snap him up as a commentator! I'm heading to the World Track Championships in Budapest later this month and hoping to catch a glimpse of him there. He is just such a classy guy and not afraid to speak up either.
OMG! Kate, I expect a full report in The Matterhorn! I will look out for you in the crowd when I'm watching on TV. Perhaps you could wave a Swiss flag or wear your Gunners hat. I know from your work that you are a runner so I'm glad you liked this. Enjoy the athletics. I will!
So we are sitting FRONT ROW at the finish line 🤗 would you believe it was cheap? Nobody appreciates track but we get to benefit I guess. We will have American and British flags. It’s already organized 😂 plus maybe a better shot of meeting MJ that way. Full report coming...
An absolute legend ! So much respect for this gentleman 🙌 . And has truly proved himself to be a "gentleman " in the manner in which he has conducted himself both when he was competing and how as a commentator.
Who could forget his remarkable running style ! A huge fan, and my respect remains, watching his open and honest commentary of fellow athletes.
Hope your husband has learnt not to interrupt you when Michael is on screen 🤣🤣
Truly one of the greats. Interesting to see Roger Black in Silver medal place, another great sportsman and competitor. It was a great era for 400m runners in Britain which also included Kris Akabussi and Derek Redmond. There was great rivalry and camaraderie between the UK and US, with the US usually triumphant. (Why wouldn't you be with Michael Johnson on your side 😆) Thanks for reminding us what an amazing athlete and human being Johnson is.
Ah you're welcome, Argon Mick. For people in their 50s it is nostalgic viewing. Roger Black was such a gentleman and a real sportsman. I always think of "Chariots of Fire" when I watch him run. Kriss Akabusi is another gent, and with the most infectious laugh! I think sport can be inspirational for people in other areas of their lives, and it teaches kids the value of discipline and other high ideals - as long as performance enhancing drugs don't rear their ugly heads. Thanks for reading!
Ha Ha! Well all credit to you Julie for reading this! I know what you mean. Years ago when I did some running my most persistent thought would be "why am I doing this?" Very occasionally (almost never) if I persisted I would sometimes reach a point where I was in what I understand is referred to as "the zone" and realised that I had stopped thinking about the pain and effort and the body was just moving of its own volition. That is a great feeling, so I can see how real runners can get addicted to that.
Nowadays I save my energy for necessary activities, and like you I'm more of a walker. Unfortunately I swim like a brick.
You know, family is so key when it comes to perseverance. Not for everyone, but most. I grew up being told (and I'm still told) by my parents that if something is too hard or stressful, to give up.
In addition, like you, I have dabbled with sport. I too had an eating disorder or two in my teens and 20s. Being a girl is such fun. My favourite sport however was basketball when I was a kid. I think I was really crap though, but my god I lived it! I also tried my hand at roller derby in my 40s and that was an experience I highly recommend, although it's now all been bogged down by gender politics. But the game itself, being in skates and smashing into other chicks is a great way to spend the day.
Yes there are many factors in realising your full potential, and environment usually has a lot to do with it, I think. I just love that quote from him. It's motivating without being pressurising: all that's expected is to do your best. As you say, if you are encouraged to give up after the first hurdle that can be demotivating, so it's a delicate balance.
You're so right about it being fun being a girl! Never mind, Jo, it's the battle scars that make us what we are, and I wouldn't want to go back to my twenties. Maybe that's what makes the aging process a bit more bearable!
I was in the school netball team - similar to basketball but you can't run with the ball once you have possession. Great game. Roller derby sounds savage!
This was a really fun and just lovely reading experience for me all around--thank you for writing this! 🤓 I also loved the short video of the race you chose to include at the end--such awesome energy / performance--great idea/way to offer the reader something extra special at the end. 🤗
Veronica, in one comment you have just summed up what I'm trying to achieve. Thank you for reading, for subscribing and for contributing. I do hope you will enjoy future articles as much!
Happy to support/share/restack etc., and I look forward to exploring more of your writing in the days ahead. 🤓
Welcome aboard!😊
Yes Jules! You picked a real winner. The BBC has been so lucky to snap him up as a commentator! I'm heading to the World Track Championships in Budapest later this month and hoping to catch a glimpse of him there. He is just such a classy guy and not afraid to speak up either.
OMG! Kate, I expect a full report in The Matterhorn! I will look out for you in the crowd when I'm watching on TV. Perhaps you could wave a Swiss flag or wear your Gunners hat. I know from your work that you are a runner so I'm glad you liked this. Enjoy the athletics. I will!
So we are sitting FRONT ROW at the finish line 🤗 would you believe it was cheap? Nobody appreciates track but we get to benefit I guess. We will have American and British flags. It’s already organized 😂 plus maybe a better shot of meeting MJ that way. Full report coming...
It's all too much. I've just fainted.
Seriously, yes, I understand that athletics does not get that high a profile in some countries. I can't understand it.
I will look out for you! 😃
Didn’t know you were such a track nerd, too! 😂💚
Well, I'm an MJ nerd. But his commentary is so excellent that it draws you in.
Here's a little piece of joy for your coffee break.
https://youtu.be/-mTGbTCD_Zk
An absolute legend ! So much respect for this gentleman 🙌 . And has truly proved himself to be a "gentleman " in the manner in which he has conducted himself both when he was competing and how as a commentator.
Who could forget his remarkable running style ! A huge fan, and my respect remains, watching his open and honest commentary of fellow athletes.
Hope your husband has learnt not to interrupt you when Michael is on screen 🤣🤣
Fabulous tribute to this great sportsman 😊
Ha ha! Glad you're also a fan. We both are! 😊
Truly one of the greats. Interesting to see Roger Black in Silver medal place, another great sportsman and competitor. It was a great era for 400m runners in Britain which also included Kris Akabussi and Derek Redmond. There was great rivalry and camaraderie between the UK and US, with the US usually triumphant. (Why wouldn't you be with Michael Johnson on your side 😆) Thanks for reminding us what an amazing athlete and human being Johnson is.
Ah you're welcome, Argon Mick. For people in their 50s it is nostalgic viewing. Roger Black was such a gentleman and a real sportsman. I always think of "Chariots of Fire" when I watch him run. Kriss Akabusi is another gent, and with the most infectious laugh! I think sport can be inspirational for people in other areas of their lives, and it teaches kids the value of discipline and other high ideals - as long as performance enhancing drugs don't rear their ugly heads. Thanks for reading!
I despise running so anyone who does it is an inspiration to me, Jules!
I love walking, swimming and other types of exercise but I only run for buses😂😂
To be a successful athlete takes tremendous discipline.
Ha Ha! Well all credit to you Julie for reading this! I know what you mean. Years ago when I did some running my most persistent thought would be "why am I doing this?" Very occasionally (almost never) if I persisted I would sometimes reach a point where I was in what I understand is referred to as "the zone" and realised that I had stopped thinking about the pain and effort and the body was just moving of its own volition. That is a great feeling, so I can see how real runners can get addicted to that.
Nowadays I save my energy for necessary activities, and like you I'm more of a walker. Unfortunately I swim like a brick.
You know, family is so key when it comes to perseverance. Not for everyone, but most. I grew up being told (and I'm still told) by my parents that if something is too hard or stressful, to give up.
In addition, like you, I have dabbled with sport. I too had an eating disorder or two in my teens and 20s. Being a girl is such fun. My favourite sport however was basketball when I was a kid. I think I was really crap though, but my god I lived it! I also tried my hand at roller derby in my 40s and that was an experience I highly recommend, although it's now all been bogged down by gender politics. But the game itself, being in skates and smashing into other chicks is a great way to spend the day.
Yes there are many factors in realising your full potential, and environment usually has a lot to do with it, I think. I just love that quote from him. It's motivating without being pressurising: all that's expected is to do your best. As you say, if you are encouraged to give up after the first hurdle that can be demotivating, so it's a delicate balance.
You're so right about it being fun being a girl! Never mind, Jo, it's the battle scars that make us what we are, and I wouldn't want to go back to my twenties. Maybe that's what makes the aging process a bit more bearable!
I was in the school netball team - similar to basketball but you can't run with the ball once you have possession. Great game. Roller derby sounds savage!
Oh netball! Us basketball players were terrified of the netball girls. You guys are a rough lot! Roller derby is definitely savage. You should try it!
I just remember being sweaty, red-faced and jumping up and down a lot!
I'll bet you get some nasty grazes in roller derby. Until they come up with an inflatable suit I'll pass, I think.