The ups and downs of living in Spain, with money-saving tips
The Book
Retiring The Olé Way
One thought on “The Book”
Hi Sue
I became a member of the Serpentine Running Club in 1983, and I gained a running partner and a lifelong friend, John Hadley.
Serpentine Running Club and fellow members ,in the 1980’s were pivotal in my recovery and transition to a better life.
> snippet from my Book “Live a Life to Die For”
On the Battersea Park running track, Serpentine Running Club held a 10 km race exclusively for club members. John Hadley and I were on the last lap, and he was a little ahead of me; independently we both started to sprint early, which actually meant upping our pace a tad. John hit the line with his arms raised and pumping, celebrating having achieved an excellent time, only to be waved on by a little chubby man with a clipboard shouting loudly, ‘2 more laps to go.’ John was noticeably pissed off.
I had also miscounted the laps and was waved on. This felt disappointing and deflating, but for me, the edge was taken off by watching John’s grumpy antics! We weren’t smooth, elegant runners at the best of times; yet, as endurance athletes, we would always man up and dig deep. It’s by taking one stride at a time you can eat up the yards, and the miles will take care of themselves. The lousy feeling of deflation was overtaken by mental and physical tiredness during those last two ‘extra’ laps; at the same time pride and self-esteem drive you on to the finish line, even knowing your time is going to be a bummer. It was like breaking out in a sweat whilst racing to the toilet, in a brisk penguin shuffle, only to discover it was only wind!
Serpie friends
John Hadley, Hilary Walker, Johnny Walker, Uncle Bob, Peter Forster, Tom Blacker, Russell Stevens, Richard Smith, Cathy Crilley, James Godber, Wendy Wood and many more.
Welcome a chat anytime . Roger
Hi Sue
I became a member of the Serpentine Running Club in 1983, and I gained a running partner and a lifelong friend, John Hadley.
Serpentine Running Club and fellow members ,in the 1980’s were pivotal in my recovery and transition to a better life.
> snippet from my Book “Live a Life to Die For”
On the Battersea Park running track, Serpentine Running Club held a 10 km race exclusively for club members. John Hadley and I were on the last lap, and he was a little ahead of me; independently we both started to sprint early, which actually meant upping our pace a tad. John hit the line with his arms raised and pumping, celebrating having achieved an excellent time, only to be waved on by a little chubby man with a clipboard shouting loudly, ‘2 more laps to go.’ John was noticeably pissed off.
I had also miscounted the laps and was waved on. This felt disappointing and deflating, but for me, the edge was taken off by watching John’s grumpy antics! We weren’t smooth, elegant runners at the best of times; yet, as endurance athletes, we would always man up and dig deep. It’s by taking one stride at a time you can eat up the yards, and the miles will take care of themselves. The lousy feeling of deflation was overtaken by mental and physical tiredness during those last two ‘extra’ laps; at the same time pride and self-esteem drive you on to the finish line, even knowing your time is going to be a bummer. It was like breaking out in a sweat whilst racing to the toilet, in a brisk penguin shuffle, only to discover it was only wind!
Serpie friends
John Hadley, Hilary Walker, Johnny Walker, Uncle Bob, Peter Forster, Tom Blacker, Russell Stevens, Richard Smith, Cathy Crilley, James Godber, Wendy Wood and many more.
Welcome a chat anytime . Roger