Running

Sport mirrors life and vice versa, the great highs and lows, constant changing of emotions,the feeling of achievement and utter despair sometimes experienced in the same moment of time.

I was always keen on watching sport, but never had much opportunity to play at school, probably because of my lack of social skills and inability to mix in team environments. Perhaps it was therefore no surprise that in later life running (the loneliness of the long distance...) was to prove my forte.

It all started out as a pastime to meet new people in an area which I wasn't familiar with and didn't know anyone. It was meant to be fun and sport can be and in some respects should always be, but when you have a competitive nature, then this can mean transcending the divide between fun and competition.

Sport takes all you to all sorts of different places, mentally as well as physically, it can be character building and it can also destroy a person, for those unable to conquer the demons inside. How much success is down to mental strength and how much is based on natural divine talent can be difficult concept to measure. But it is unlikely that there will be one without the other, no matter how small the percentage split.

I look occasionally in awe at the medals, cups, trophies, certificates etc... that I have won and wonder how I came from being a skinny kid who couldn't even to do forward role to being county champion in my respective age group, winning races and receiving the trophy from one of my boyhood heroes leading to running a 2.53 marathon in London 2010.

Great days, happy memories, something to be proud of, although I wish someone special had been with me to share the joys of sport with. I thank those who helped my in my early days of running Martin W, Bob D, Chris T, Steve E, without whom it would have been all to easy to give up and go back to watching the TV.

But most of all I am glad I did it my way, on my own terms, through my own efforts and auspices - a job well done... next

Work

I do admire young people who develop a sense of purpose early in life and then have the character, diligence and sheer perseverance to achieve all that they want from a career or work based environment. Me, I left school, not having a clue about what I wanted to do, in fact, not having much of a clue about anything in the big outside world.

Just applied for local jobs for something to do, seemed a better idea than breaking into the local store. I had a spare stamp and thought Post Office I'll try them and so that is where I ended up. Shoving money into a machine which wrapped it into coin rolls, sorting letters into a little slot, cleaning coins after someone had pissed into the telephone box - dead end jobs the lot of em.

The only good thing that came out of it was that for the first time I was exposed to some pretty decent human beings probably for the first time in my life. Good people, proper values, they taught me respect, how to interact and talk to others. So to Frank H, Alan D, Pete M and George G I thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking me under your wing, letting me learn from you and helping to develop me as a person - you were great role models and teachers. I am truly grateful to have met you all and shared a small part of your lives.

Who would have thought from such humble beginnings many years later I would end up writing for The Times, a published author of technical books retailing at £300 a throw, starting up my own business, employing people... Without that initial support, I doubt I would ever have attained those heights...

For the rest, well my mates never believed me when I said I could do more, I had the last laugh - up you all.

Holidays

I don't wanna cheap holiday in other people's misery.

Well if you visit another person's country the first thing to remember is that you are a guest in their country abiding by local rules and respecting local customs. When in Rome do as the Romans do.

Before you go try learning a few words of the local language a courtesy that should not be underestimated, it shows a respect for the people and an attempt to integrate, regardless of the length of stay in the country. Shouting in English, very loudly and accentuating syllables very slowly is unlikely to find favour.

Find out about the history, understand how the county has evolved, its culture, conflicts and ethnicity. For some people abject poverty is just a way of life, recognise that, make a judgement as to how you will feel about enjoying yourself when round the corner may be people starving, cold and hungry.

Look,listen and learn. Return refreshed but if you return enlightened, so much the better person will you be.

Songs

I hated school, I hate growing up, I hated life.

I remember being in school, stuck in a remedial class, kind of thinking I didn't belong there, but never knowing where I did belong. People used to think I was temperamental, yeah, 50% temper, 50% mental. When I left school I didn't have a clue what I wanted from and to do in life.

One thing for sure was that I didn't want to be was:

Someone Like You.

Had a row with me mother
Got a kick in from her brother
I was in trouble everyday

Everyone hated me
I was the only who rated me
But I didn't care anyway

They said when I left school
Go get yourself a job
Get up at 7, go home at 9
I just didn't want to know

Because I won't meant to be,
didn't want to be, was going to try to be
someone like you

People looked at me as if I was dirt
Ripped up jeans and dirty shirt
They thought that I was just a slob
But the truth was I didn't want no flipping job

Didn't want to feel sorry for myself
It was a thing I didn't want to do
So p!ss off have a go at someone else
Or i'll end up hitting you

Because I won't meant to be,
didn't want to be, was going to try to be
someone like you

Written for all the 'Head of Paper Clips' and Chief Executive Officer for the Staple Gun' everywhere.

Money

Money can't buy you happiness, money makes the world go round, money is the root of all evil, and so the cliches roll on. Like most 'sayings' there is probably a basic element of truth in all if you care to look hard enough.

It is relatively easy to make money, all you need to do is find those who are weak, needy or just plain greedy (preferably a combination of all three) and then exploit them – but that is not my way.

Sometimes, I see a present for someone, perhaps something beautiful, which makes it expensive, such that I cannot afford to buy it right away. Then I think I must try harder, work smarter to earn the money so that I can buy it and offer it as a gift, even if there is no special occasion, other than I saw this and thought of you.

Am I rich, generous or a sucker, in fact I am none of those. But I do know what it is like to have nothing, so whatever little I have I would give unconditionally. The most generous people that I know are those who can least afford to give.

Poetry

Below is a basterdised version of something I read on a friend's kitchen wall. It has no special significance to anyone but is perhaps a reminder to us all that when times are tough we really should not quit, but straighten our back, stiffen our resolve and fight on through the adversity (perceived or otherwise). A poem of hope, perseverance and courage. Draw strength from it as I once did.

When skies are grey and frustrations are high,
You want to smile but can only heave a sigh,
Cares and troubles may get you down a bit,
Rest, if you must, but please don't quit.

When things go wrong as they sometimes will,
When the road you are running up seems all up hill,
Sometimes it is easy to think of giving up,
When a little more effort would capture the cup.

Life can be strange with its twists and turns,
This is something in time all of us learns,
Believe in yourself when hardest hit,
It's when things seem worst that you must not quit.

Holidays

So you have been to school for a year or two and you think you know it all.

Hey kids, gap years are great, so when your mates suggest south-east Asia and Cambodia remember respect the culture, understand the history, feel the soul of the place.

See the film the Killing Fields, think of the terror of the Khmer Rouge regime, what life was like in Cambodia under Pol Pot. You will never fully understand unless you were there and lived through it, but at least stretch the mind and try and appreciate the true horror of events that unfolded in the Killing Fields of Cambodia. Think hard and long until it hurts. So when you return and think about moaning and whinging about everyday little upsets in life, remember you would work harder with a gun in your back for a bowl of rice a day.

Don't come back bragging that you know how the natives feel the cold, and the slums have got so much soul - you have merely sampled history, be grateful for all you have now. There are plenty of people who have been everywhere but seen nothing don't become one of them.

All things are relative - never forget.