I thought I was doing well to manage a couple of short jogs a week until I heard about former Olympian Ron Hill.
Now 78 years old, the athlete has taken his first day off from running in over five decades due to illness.
He has run at least one mile every single day for the past 52 years.
That really is dedication for you. I have used 101 different excuses why I shouldn’t go for a run in the past – weather, lack of time, feeling slightly under the weather, you know the kind of thing. I can’t imagine being driven enough to never miss a day in all those years.
There’s no doubt about it, a gentle jog, run or even walk (whatever your fitness level is suited to) definitely makes you feel better. However, it’s still really easy to talk yourself out of it beforehand, especially when you are inside with the heating up full blast on a cold day.
Ron Hill’s Facebook page was plastered with admiring comments following his announcement to take his first day off. Quotes included: ‘absolute legend’, ‘a truly inspirational gentleman’ and ‘what an achievement’.
Next time I’m tempted to stay in with a cup of tea and a biscuit instead of going for a run (or more like a fast walk in my case) I’m going to think about Ron Hill. The world needs more sources of inspiration like this man!
https://www.facebook.com/RonhillUK/