67 and still running!

Can you tell us about why you started running, a bit about your running journey so far and why, at 67, you’re still going?

I used to run at county level in Surrey when I was in school. But I ran less when I went to university and I actually stopped running completely when I got married and had children. I had a job that involved travelling so there wasn’t much time. I didn’t start running again until my third daughter went off to university when I was 50. At the time I was really involved in my local church but wanted to find a way to engage with my community and so I joined the local running club and I’ve been running ever since.

Why do I carry on at 67? Why not! I feel very fit and very blessed that I’ve not had any serious injuries. I had an operation last year, but I’ve recovered well and will happily carry on running for as long as I can. I’ve set my sights on the London Marathon when I’m 80, but we’ll see!

When do you fit in running in your working week and do you have any favourite places to run?

It’s easier now that I work part time but I’ve always followed the same weekly training pattern. I do a long run late on a Sunday afternoon. Then I do a short run on a Monday, I run with the club one evening a week and then on Friday lunchtime I go for a hilly run with a good friend. I’ve always loved running through the countryside and now I live by the sea so in five minutes I can be running on the coast path. That is a real delight.

What does the Bible mean to you?

I love the Bible. I love the honesty of the Bible. It just tells you it how it is – from the patriarchs through to David – these guys had messy lives but the Bible doesn’t gloss over any of it. At the moment I’m doing an in-depth study of Acts with my community and we’ve been really struck by how honest Luke is. There are miracles and the Holy Spirit’s doing amazing things but there are also misunderstandings and things go wrong and I find that really encouraging. I can identify with that.

We know you’ve travelled lots. Could you tell us about a time you experienced the impact that the Bible could have on a community? 

It’s been wonderful to have the opportunity to travel and see how people are reading the Bible and understanding it at a deeper level all over the world. I was recently in The Gambia visiting a literacy programme teaching people to read so that they can read the Bible and understand it in their own language. These people were telling me that it’s completely changed their experience of following Jesus, being able to read and understand the story for themselves.

The same was true of a translation project I visited in Togo. Now that they have the Bible in Kabiye, the pastors can preach about it in the Kabiye language. This pastor who I met with told me that before, when they used to preach in French, people thought that God was French. But now he preaches in the Kabiye language the people there say ‘Ah, Jesus is Kabiye!’ It makes a huge difference when they can relate to what they’re hearing about; then the Bible can take root in their hearts and their lives are changed by it.

Do you have a favourite Bible passage or verse which encourages you when you run?

There are a few that come to mind, including Isaiah 40. But I suppose, going back to your original question about why I still enjoy running now I’m 67, it’s the verse from Psalm 92.14 which says ‘they will still bear fruit in old age’ that rings true.

When I travel it’s full on. I want to meet everyone, I want to see everything, I want to interview everyone to be able to share the stories of what the Bible is doing in communities and hearts with our supporters. One of the reasons I can do that with energy and enthusiasm and still stay alert is because I run, it keeps you physically fit but also it keeps you mentally fit as well.

So, I take great encouragement from that verse and tell all the youngsters in my church! And with God’s help I plan to carry on bearing fruit for a good number of years yet.