My First Blog Post

-An Introduction To Me: Why I Run
-Aims and Goals of This Blog
-What I know (And What I Don't!)

1:- An Introduction To Me: Why I Run

My name is Neil Macey. I am a 33 years old primary school teacher living and working in Bexley, Outer London.

I have several hobbies and interests but by far the biggest for me is running...I just hit my 5, 000th mile which inspired me to write this blog...but it wasn't always like this!

I had always been sporty as a kid...playing football at every opportunity and indoor games such as pingpong so I knew I could run when needed but never went running.

That all changed in 2013...a particularly cold day in South Korea where I was living saw me slip on some ice whilst walking to work and I broke a few small bones in my ankle. The recovery from this accident made me realise how much I appreciated and enjoyed being physically active and I vowed to make a change.

Fast forward a few months and I found myself living in upstate New York, USA. I was living and working on a camp for homeless children and needed a way to clear my head on my breaks. I had seen a small open field about 10 minutes walk away and I could finally walk without crutches although it was quite slow and painful.

I loved being in that field as it often had wild deer grazing and was a needed site of refuge from the stresses of my work. However, 10 minute walk there and 10 minute walk back didn't leave me much time to rest...I knew a solution but it wasn't easy...RUNNING!

To say it was hard at first is an understatement. Although only a 10 minute walk that field seemed miles away. I could barely run for more than a minute or two before having to walk. Yet I had a clear goal in my mind...what if I could half the traveling time? A 5 minute each way run would give me an extra 10 minute break in the field compared to a 10 minute each way run. I was hooked, driven by a clear goal...to get to that field without stopping.

It took time but eventually I got to the field without rest and felt fantastic. I had achieved something and wondered what else I could do. A little further from the field was a small artificial lake-side beach...maybe I could get there and read my book on the sand?By the end of the 9 week Summer I was pushing myself further and further. Maybe I could run from camp to the nearby town on my day off? Maybe I could run a lap of Central Park in NYC before I leave America? The options were limitless and those options only continue to expand!

Why do I run? Because I can. We all can. We just don't know how far or how fast until we try. How far will your running take you? How far has it taken you already?

2-Aims and Goals of This Blog

Since that day in 2013 I have run over 5,000 miles and I'd like to share some of the things I have learnt with as many people as I can...sharing is caring :-)

If I can inspire somebody to get out and run when they lack motivation, help a beginner take their first step on their running journey or see the joy and pride when a seasoned racer shaves 10 seconds off their Personal Best because of one of my tips...I will be happy! That is why I am starting this blog.

BUT

This blog is not about me. It's a resource for whoever may wish to use it. May it help bring you as much happiness as running gives me :-)

3-What I know (And What I Don't !)

I am an experienced runner. In under 5 years I have gone from being a COMPLETE beginner to somebody who has run 4 marathons including one on Mount Fuji and one in over 30 degree heat in Lithuania. I passed through many milestones in between...my first run to the field without stopping...my first 5km...my first race...starting to run in the volunteering community...I even joined a race team for a while. Hopefully I can relate to runners of all levels.

I therefore have a lot of EXPERIENCE to share. However, I want to emphasise that. It is experience. I have many good friends who are fantastic coaches but I am not a coach. I have a good idea of how my body works but everybody's body is different. I know what to do when I get hurt or injured but I am not a doctor or even first aid qualified (anymore anyway).

Everything in this blog I offer as friendly advice...some little hints and tips to help you on your journey. And I hope you might find joy in a few interesting stories I'd like to share along the way.

How about you? Why do you run? How/why did you start? Why not share in the comments below?

Best wishes

Neil Macey

Run Right