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Running Kind

Running in The Olden Days. (With the giant leap and crazy hair coming in second!)

My goodness, it’s been a while! There have been birthdays to celebrate; Baby Iris has just turned one and her cousin, Joy, is now two. Where did that time go? There’s been illness and worry, but there have been lovely occasions and places to visit too.

But in the gaps, I squirrelled away some time to write a book. 

It’s no secret that I’ve been in the doldrums when it comes to writing fiction, but a conversation with my son-in-law, Si, got me thinking. And suddenly, I had the idea of writing a book about running. Anything I’ve put into twenty years of running has repaid me a hundred times over in terms of physical and mental well-being, but I know some people are very put off by the idea that every run has to be a tough challenge.

Yes, there are times when I push myself way outside my comfort zone, but only to explore what I can do. Running really doesn’t have to be painful. It’s entirely up to you to decide how far or how fast, or how frequently you want to run, so don’t measure yourself against anyone else. Be kind to yourself and you may discover that you are the running kind after all. Everything you need is inside you.



"Christine Stovell didn’t think she was the running kind. Running, she believed, was for elite athletes and hardcore fitness freaks. Then, after causing a local scandal, she found herself hiding in her parents’ loft with her two young daughters and decided to try running as a means of escape. That attempt ended so painfully it was four years before she felt brave enough to try another run.

Christine's story takes her from running scared to running half marathons. In twenty years, she’s run through sad, bad and good times and dealt with everything from territorial pheasants to scary loos. Above all, she’s discovered not only that running doesn’t have to hurt, but that it has a great capacity to heal.

If you’ve ever been tempted to try running but think it isn’t for you, Christine’s experience might just convince you that you too can become the running kind."
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Comments

Kathryn Freeman said…
Ooh, what a fabulous idea, I love the idea of Running Kind. Running helps me in so many ways, too. More than anything it sets me up for the day, and gives me time to think ...especially the 'kind' pace I run:-). I can't wait to read this - when is coming out??
18 April 2019 at 08:38
Chris Stovell said…
Thank you for your kind comment. It's out now, Apple Inc. I feel exactly like that about running!
18 April 2019 at 08:44
Frances said…
Bravo to you, Chris, on this new book. It is bound to find quite an audience amongst other current runners, while also no doubt encouraging some intrigued and inspired folks to put on a new pair of shoes and get moving! xo
19 April 2019 at 09:15
Flowerpot said…
This sounds fabulous, Chris - well done! I will definitely read this, for I too am not the Running Kind! I have a friend here just like you and she's done several marathons now - so well done to you all. X
24 April 2019 at 01:42
Chris Stovell said…
Frances and Sue, I'm really sorry to have been so slow to respond. Thank you both so much for the support. xx
6 May 2019 at 07:05
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24 September 2019 at 02:48
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