Advent Blog catchups

In an effort to regain, I'll be super brief for a few days worth of inspirational people:

14th December: J.R.R. Tolkein, or the works of. These inspired my imagination particularly where it came to being outdoors in the landscapes of the UK as a kid. I was taken on walks by my parents and used to imagine (or maybe was encouraged to imagine) that I was a brave hobbit when things got damp/hilly/grim.

15th December : Sarah Chambers, my first boss at the British Council. She led by example by the way she worked flexibly around the demands of her family, and enabled others to do the same in our team. I learned from her that having responsibilities outside of work needn't hinder being a respected and effective colleague.

16th December: Laura Mitchell, one of my oldest schoolfriends. She never ceases to amaze me with her positive outlook and sense of humour, despite life throwing some rubbish circumstances at her. I wish I had more time to write about her but hopefully, as she's also a mum, she'll cut me some slack.

17th December: Martina Navratilova : Female sporting star, tough as anything, enough said.  

Advent Blog 13 December: Dan Ellingworth

still running behind...but like any dedicated person I will not leave the job unfinished!

Dan is the originator of the Glossop Parkrun. That is all I really need to write here. What he started will benefit so many people in my town, and for that we should all be thankful. He pulled together a group of people, he sought startup funding, and most Saturdays he can be seen wearing a fetching high visibility jacket, cracking jokes and directing the run in Manor Park in Glossop. He is a fabulously down to earth chap, a dedicated runner, and bringer together of people. I, like many, want to help out at parkrun not only because I know how much it means to the people taking part, but because I want to support Dan. Thanks Dan, and keep it up.

Advent Blog 12th December: Lynne Taylor

Lynne is another person who welcomed me into the world of fellrunning,  she's a friend and she's been my personal trainer during pregnancy and in postnatal recovery  but they're not the only reasons she inspires me. Lynne is always seeking to make herself a better person, she's always learning,  always doing new things and finding new challenges. For example,  she recently went and worked a night at a local bakery,  for the experience,  and she is learning the piano.
She's also a straight talker. I've always got time for straight talkers.
I wish I could be more like her, though for a time my new thing is my baby son, so it'll be a while til I can even try to be as well rounded.  

Advent Blog 10th December: Andy Ford

Sticking with the theme of fellrunning again for another late posting. I wouldn't have done a Bob Graham Round if it hadn't been for Andy.  I first met him at the Long Duddon race, I think actually  on the way up the terribly named 'Little Stand ' climb. He knew some of my other running friends and we chattered away during and after the race. I continued to see him at races and I learned he was preparing for a BGR.
In spring 2015 we met at the start of the Teenager With Altitude race.  He was well into his BG prep and looking for an easy day out, so I suggested he pootle round with me. I had come to the race a bit unprepared,  I'd been offered someone's spare number.  I also wanted to take advantage of Andy's route knowledge ;) We had a really enjoyable day out and despite a lot of complaining and cursing, i surprised myself by getting round the tough course without major incident.
Andy completed his Bob Graham Round on 9th May 2015.
We chatted on messenger  and at some point he started suggesting I should do my own Round.  I say suggesting, it was more like heavy persuading and cajoling. I'd had it in mind since the beginning of the year but had sort of decided to wait. After Andy's encouragement, I thought seriously again, given that I was uninjured and as fit as I could hope to be. He gave me confidence in my abilities and helped me to think about the logistics of the day. He was a constant source of encouragement whenever I expressed worries. On the day , Andy supported me on legs 3 and 4, which was where I knew I would need the most help. He didn't disappoint - keeping my spirits up when I knew I was behind my schedule and always looking out for me. He was so committed , he ran the final leg with me too.
Here's to you Andy; Bob Graham enthusiast, excellent supporter and a fine athlete. I'm looking forward to hearing what you get up to next. 

Advent Blog 11 December : James Rebanks, the Herdy Shepherd

Another character from Twitter. My favourite breed of sheep has always been the Herdwick, which is what first made me follow him @herdyshepherd1. I loved tweets about the working days, months and year of a shepherd in the Lakes, reading them usually on the train or at the start or end of another day on the hamster wheel of office life. He also spoke eloquently about the need for greater understanding of the contribution people like himself make to the landscape, history, economy and culture of the Lake District.

Follow him on Twitter if you want to learn fascinating details about sheep farming, see some lovely pictures and be charmed by his simple, self deprecating yet proud writing. If you , like me, are hooked, buy his book and learn the life story of the man behind the @.
He has made me stop and think more deeply about the landscape which is often my playground, and given me a greater understanding of the livelihoods and struggles which shape it.

Advent Blog 9th December: Matt Dawson

Matt is the reason I am a fellrunner. I met him when I lived in South Manchester, through his partner Lou who I knew through the WI. He invited me to come on a training run with him. When I met him to start our run on the roads round Glossop, he'd already been out for two or three hours on the hills; I was gobsmacked that he had such stamina. After a couple of runs on roads and trails together, he encouraged me to try a fell run. He went out of his way to arrange to meet me from the station at Edale, and off we went. I was hooked after this one run. Not just because I enjoyed the feeling of being out in the hills and moors I loved to hike in, but because I felt supported and encouraged by him. It was after this that I decided to begin running regularly on the fells with Glossopdale Harriers, with whom I now train and compete.

I knew Matt had been further pursuing his passion for the outdoors and gaining experience as a Mountain Leader and I was pleased to see him developing a small business providing his services to the public. It was on a trip to the Highlands of Scotland further developing his skills, that he had a terrible accident which left him facing a long rehabilitation in hospital. His recovery and return to the outdoors is an inspiration in itself, but I will always think of him as a proper funny bloke from Leek, the spark who lit the flame, spurring me onto my great adventures in the hills and fells. 

Advent Blog 8th December: Kathryn Bertine

I'm a big fan of pro cycling. I love to watch the Grand Tours on TV, and like nothing better than to dissect the tactics and the stories with friends. I'm ashamed to say it took me a while to question where the female events were, to wonder why they weren't being shown on TV. Kathryn Bertine's excellent film Half the Road opened my eyes to the world of the women's peloton and encouraged me to seek out coverage of the big events. Woefully, some of these are still not screened on TV and can only be followed on social media (see @_pigeons_) or via specialist cycling news sites. The film isn't as preachy as you'd think it might be - it has a snappy pace and is very witty. It features some excellent interviews with pro female cyclists as well as other sportswomen. What struck me is how humble the riders were, how they weren't boiling with anger (and when they were, how funny and polite they were with it)

I've always been forthcoming when standing up for equality for both genders and this film stoked my fire and made me more aware of how one of my favourite sports needed to get its act together. Since its release, some progress has been made though there is still some way to go.  La Course by le Tour, and the Womens Tour of Britain are examples which have been adopted by the mainstream media.

Thanks Kathryn for showing me the way :)