There are many different types of victory in this life, some have good consequences others have bad consequences. I had a small personal victory this weekend, I have been back running for about a month now and even when I was running regularly I was struggling to get my average time per mile down. This is essential if I am ever to run the marathon, otherwise long after most people are sitting in their ice baths I will still be struggling along. I began gingerly, the previous run had resulted in a slight strain to a muscle but after a mile and several stretches it felt OK, I ran 3 miles each under 11 minutes, that sounds a lot, however if I could run each mile in 11 minutes I could do the marathon in 5 hours just, the next goal will be 10.5 minutes and longer distances. Victory motivates, it makes us think something is worthwhile that we can do something even though it seems difficult.
I see the kids beginning to appreciate it, the first time they rode a bike without stabilizers, crossed the monkey bars without an adult to help, rode a horse, the list seems endless.
Perhaps though victory is not always a positive thing, think about how the importance of victory to some politicians have meant pain and suffering for many in diverse nations, how it causes athletes to endanger themselves with drugs so they can be the best. Sometimes victories are physical, the person who relearns to walk after injury, the people who perform great physical feats such as crossing the channel, kayaking down the Amazon or trekking over the North Pole to raise money so that others might have the chance for a better life, those are the kind of victories to be celebrated.
I doubt any of my small personal victories will mean much to anyone outside my immediate family and friends but I am looking forward to setting myself some goals and looking forward to the challenge.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Monday, April 25, 2011
U is for Unique
It's funny that when we go to school or work in certain places we all wear the same uniform. Despite that we are all unique. Each of us has our own hopes and dreams, things we want to achieve and likes and dislikes. When I used to teach I would be presented with thirty new faces, a name attached to them and possibly some information from a previous teacher or school. One of the first things I always did with them was to get them to do a little factfile, what they liked and didn't like.
When we meet new people we try to find something that we have in common, for me frequently now it is children that we have children, but even this is a unique experience, Each child is unique, even between my three there are huge differences between them. They approach things in their own way and they confidence levels vary greatly.
Lucy for example, despite being the youngest has learnt more things ahead of time because she has the benefit of two older siblings, Matthew projects great confidence but isn't always as confident as he seems. Heather has to do everything first, new schools, trips, and clubs and so on. She has grown in confidence as she has gotten older but even so she still needs a lot more reassurance.
That is why I have tried to instill in my children that treating everyone the same doesn't work, always be polite and treat everyone with respect but I encourage the children to get to know people, find out what makes them tick and to treat everyone as an individual, because after all we are all unique.
When we meet new people we try to find something that we have in common, for me frequently now it is children that we have children, but even this is a unique experience, Each child is unique, even between my three there are huge differences between them. They approach things in their own way and they confidence levels vary greatly.
Lucy for example, despite being the youngest has learnt more things ahead of time because she has the benefit of two older siblings, Matthew projects great confidence but isn't always as confident as he seems. Heather has to do everything first, new schools, trips, and clubs and so on. She has grown in confidence as she has gotten older but even so she still needs a lot more reassurance.
That is why I have tried to instill in my children that treating everyone the same doesn't work, always be polite and treat everyone with respect but I encourage the children to get to know people, find out what makes them tick and to treat everyone as an individual, because after all we are all unique.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
T is for Training
As I was late with my A-z post yesterday I thought I ought to try and get today's post done early in the day.
For three years I have unsuccessfully entered the London marathon ballot - this year I have entered again. I don't find out until October if I will have a place and at that point a fully six month training program is provided. I feel that for me six months won't be enough so I am already running regularly.
People ask me why I want to run it and I can't really answer other than that for me it (and for many others) it would be a huge achievement, to be able to train for and run a marathon is something I have always wanted to do, it is the last thing I aimed for as a child that I need to tick off my list, the other two were to be a teacher and to write a book.
Other aims have come along and been added to the list but this one remains, I am hoping that I get a place but if not I will have another try but to run in Olympic year would be special. Keep your fingers crossed.
For three years I have unsuccessfully entered the London marathon ballot - this year I have entered again. I don't find out until October if I will have a place and at that point a fully six month training program is provided. I feel that for me six months won't be enough so I am already running regularly.
People ask me why I want to run it and I can't really answer other than that for me it (and for many others) it would be a huge achievement, to be able to train for and run a marathon is something I have always wanted to do, it is the last thing I aimed for as a child that I need to tick off my list, the other two were to be a teacher and to write a book.
Other aims have come along and been added to the list but this one remains, I am hoping that I get a place but if not I will have another try but to run in Olympic year would be special. Keep your fingers crossed.
S is for SUnshine
Sunshine is bathing the garden and play stuff at the front of the house, a heat haze shimmers across the road and bees are buzzing in between colourful flowers that are already in bloom. Not only that but there are bank holidays aplenty to enjoy.
Yesterday we went to a local farm park whilst Heather had a day at the stables. The kids had great fun leaping about on the bouncy pillow and looking at a whole variety of animals, even decorating a biscuit in the shade. Lucy managed to turn herself into an ice cream as she worse as much as she ate but we all had great fun. Our attention turns this weekend to Easter egg hunts, preparing the driveway for the street party next week and unfortunately study. I have tried working outside but there are just too many distractions.
Still if previous years are anything to go by the sunshine won't last for long, if it is nice now if probably won't be in the summer, after all the year Lucy was born it was still snowing at this time of year!
My intention is to enjoy it while it lasts, paddling pool here we come!
Yesterday we went to a local farm park whilst Heather had a day at the stables. The kids had great fun leaping about on the bouncy pillow and looking at a whole variety of animals, even decorating a biscuit in the shade. Lucy managed to turn herself into an ice cream as she worse as much as she ate but we all had great fun. Our attention turns this weekend to Easter egg hunts, preparing the driveway for the street party next week and unfortunately study. I have tried working outside but there are just too many distractions.
Still if previous years are anything to go by the sunshine won't last for long, if it is nice now if probably won't be in the summer, after all the year Lucy was born it was still snowing at this time of year!
My intention is to enjoy it while it lasts, paddling pool here we come!
Thursday, April 21, 2011
R is for Rabbit
Well with Easter on the horizon I thought they deserved a mention. I was thinking the other day how easily we all believe in the myth, Father Christmas, Tooth Fairy and the Easter Bunny. Then we say to our kids if you don't do xxx then yyy won't visit. The kids tow the line for a bit and then we repeat the pantomime.
I am hoping that the Easter bunny will make an appearance and with good weather forecast I may even set up a mini egg hunt for the kids, as well as letting them eat some of the eggs although Matthew is convinced you have to eat only real eggs, wonder what Cadburys et al would think of that idea.
Anyway Happy Easter and I hope you all see the white rabbit with the floppy ears, should he have a clock and be muttering about being late however, best let him get on with it, I am sure the real one will be along later.
I am hoping that the Easter bunny will make an appearance and with good weather forecast I may even set up a mini egg hunt for the kids, as well as letting them eat some of the eggs although Matthew is convinced you have to eat only real eggs, wonder what Cadburys et al would think of that idea.
Anyway Happy Easter and I hope you all see the white rabbit with the floppy ears, should he have a clock and be muttering about being late however, best let him get on with it, I am sure the real one will be along later.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)