And I always feel fantastic afterwards and want to do more. 

This time it was an Eco Therapy course with the wonderful inspiring Alastair at Earth for Life, at the Water of Leith Centre in Edinburgh. 
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Despite a high footfall and a few dog poo piles to negotiate, I connected and communed with nature and I learned just how significant this work is to mental health workers and the people they care for.

Yes shouting a little inside …
 
All weekend I kept telling my husband, who simply raised his eyebrows at me in support. Sigh…
 
It’s a big thing actually: I used to be a runner. I used to think I was pretty good at it. At school, I ran, jumped over things; even threw a few things, like a proper athlete. I had badges and medals and got upset if people beat me.  My poor mother had to traipse to various stadiums and sit watching me throughout the season, usually in the rain.
 
I ran fast though…I didn’t like slow at all. I once ran a cross country at school and hurt my ankle, felt sick and didn’t win …so I never did that again.
 
In fact I haven’t run for about 30 years. 

Many of you know that I try to follow the principles of a natural movement regime. In short, I like to evaluate everything with the thoughts “Would people do this naturally?”  And, “What impact does it have on the mind and the body?”
 
Is being able to run a couple of miles a good thing?
 
Yes, I reckon so.  Although I walk, and am walking further and further, my lungs feel the pressure of hills, my legs feel heavy and my energy is still low.  I want to be fitter – Fitter for what? Fitter for life and endurance particularly.
 
I had been putting it off with various excuses like…my knee may not take it, I am too old, my heart may be too weak after my HER2 cancer treatment, I work in the fitness field so how can I let people see me huffing and puffing in public.  Jeez! What will I wear?