tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8666908446822278106.post8073251344703008500..comments2024-03-20T13:44:57.468-07:00Comments on Home Thoughts Weekly: ResultsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8666908446822278106.post-24952728969055236732014-03-06T01:23:59.675-08:002014-03-06T01:23:59.675-08:00Frances, it's so true what you say about each ...Frances, it's so true what you say about each of us having different abilities. I derive huge pleasure admiring your skilful needlework...but there is no way in this world I could ever knit or crotchet or produce your elegant designs so I'm totally in awe of that. I also admire your eye for colour and the carefully composed photos on your blog which always remind me of our wonderful time in New York. And thank you for reading my poem too!x Chris Stovellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03741359642268813093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8666908446822278106.post-78286480303555094472014-03-06T01:19:47.675-08:002014-03-06T01:19:47.675-08:00Thanks, Mags - absolutely, I was really concerned ...Thanks, Mags - absolutely, I was really concerned that running would be come one of those things I 'used' to do. Going down with piriformis syndrome when I felt as I was really getting into my stride seemed particularly cruel, especially when I had to drop a whole month of training. It looks as if my base fitness (bearing in mind I carried on doing as much low impact exercise as possible) remained quite good and I thoroughly enjoyed the race so yes, I'm sure you'll be back to it and I look forwards to the pair of us lining up at the start of a Welsh half marathon!Chris Stovellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03741359642268813093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8666908446822278106.post-84512327465997132062014-03-05T17:22:34.805-08:002014-03-05T17:22:34.805-08:00Chris, it's grand to see this post, complete w...Chris, it's grand to see this post, complete with the gorgeous photos of your happy face at the finish line. As I've told you before, I have never been a funner, and don't quite understand what motivates folks like you to put themselves through such challenges. However...I really admire all that you've done! All of us do have varying calls and abilities, and every time that one of us can achieve what we've dreamed of and worked towards...well...that's terrific.<br /><br />Bravo!<br /><br />I would also like to tell you how much I like your poem. As a city person, I admire your way of taking me to a place in which I have never lived. Somehow, your words gave me entry.<br /><br />xoFranceshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08352407314710067616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8666908446822278106.post-4471414126760148632014-03-05T11:14:07.405-08:002014-03-05T11:14:07.405-08:00A PB too! WOW! Wonderful and so well deserved afte...A PB too! WOW! Wonderful and so well deserved after all that hard work. Were there times with your eye problem and the piriformis syndrome when you thought you'd never get a half marathon medal again? That's where I am now so I'm using you as inspiration. Maybe I'll get to do my fifth half marathon one day too.Maggie Christiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16047691937064748860noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8666908446822278106.post-63187911806793162282014-03-05T09:00:54.430-08:002014-03-05T09:00:54.430-08:00Aw, bless you, our Mandy! It cuts both ways, you k...Aw, bless you, our Mandy! It cuts both ways, you know!x<br /><br />I really was, Kath... must have been all the endorphins or something. I'm so chuffed at your comments about the poem - poetry's special to me so it feels really good to have some work out there. Thank you.Chris Stovellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03741359642268813093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8666908446822278106.post-74175932298898114062014-03-05T08:49:23.719-08:002014-03-05T08:49:23.719-08:00I've said this already on FB but I do love tha...I've said this already on FB but I do love that picture of you with your medal. You look so blooming happy! I'm not a runner and never will be, so I really admire you and your commitment to it - and can see the similarities between distance running and writing a book. <br /><br />I think your poem is ace, too. Congrats on the win! I thought it was very evocative & it reminded me of cutting peat up on the Strath in Sutherland. Loved it. Kathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12719765628886270649noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8666908446822278106.post-54977163845361604252014-03-05T08:42:48.686-08:002014-03-05T08:42:48.686-08:00Congratulations again, Chris. And I agree with Jan...Congratulations again, Chris. And I agree with Jan. You are an inspiration and a thoroughly lovely person. I am proud to call you a friend xxxMandy K Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05107477886064281756noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8666908446822278106.post-76763941306323363392014-03-05T08:34:15.511-08:002014-03-05T08:34:15.511-08:00Thanks, Chanpreet! I hope you do get out there aga...Thanks, Chanpreet! I hope you do get out there again. I always think it's just a question of finding something you enjoy. Nothing else quite does it for me like running so I'm just so happy to be able to pick up where I left off.Chris Stovellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03741359642268813093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8666908446822278106.post-34454166376647828842014-03-05T08:16:00.148-08:002014-03-05T08:16:00.148-08:00Way to go Chris! I haven't run in a very long...Way to go Chris! I haven't run in a very long time but I haven't had any medical reasons to keep me from doing so. I'm hoping once the weather gets warmer here, I may be able to lace up and run again. Of course I've never run in any race, let alone a half marathon, but it would be nice to jog/run again.Preethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10732586082446674711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8666908446822278106.post-90884082460722273882014-03-05T05:37:52.737-08:002014-03-05T05:37:52.737-08:00Teresa, thank you so much for your kind comment. ...Teresa, thank you so much for your kind comment. It's very true that you are completely alone in both worlds, even when you're in the midst of other runners or, in the case of a novel, your characters. I suppose one difference is that after a race, you don't have to go back and repeat the miles that weren't perhaps quite so great... but with a novel your editor makes you take another close look at your weak points!<br />Chris Stovellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03741359642268813093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8666908446822278106.post-51200209001803019682014-03-05T05:10:20.691-08:002014-03-05T05:10:20.691-08:00I understand this and do believe to be so. Then ru...I understand this and do believe to be so. Then running - let's be honest is not a natural thing like walking as you push yourself harder (I loved when you mentioned the "just one mile to go" and wanted to lie and weep - it can be true when a story enters a dead end, I imagine) - it's like entering a world of your own; even among the crowd. The same as writing. Just you and your book, all the frustrations and dead ends. Running is, also, just you, your body and mind trying to agree on the final result. <br />What a lovely analogy!<br />Congratulations to reach the goal on both accounts,<br />TeresaTeresahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15706070037835903316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8666908446822278106.post-81297767804300238752014-03-05T04:56:53.948-08:002014-03-05T04:56:53.948-08:00Awwww! Jan - how very kind of you. Thank you! x
Awwww! Jan - how very kind of you. Thank you! x<br />Chris Stovellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03741359642268813093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8666908446822278106.post-83793210750960704782014-03-05T04:08:19.293-08:002014-03-05T04:08:19.293-08:00Chris, you are an inspiration! Massive congratulat...Chris, you are an inspiration! Massive congratulations on such a great achievement. You can see the joy on your face in that final photo. A fab writer and a fab runner (and a fab person, of course!)Lovely post! :) xxJan Brigdenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17316451906219006453noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8666908446822278106.post-54745670463829819912014-03-05T03:25:15.063-08:002014-03-05T03:25:15.063-08:00Thanks so much, Jane! However, you completely outs...Thanks so much, Jane! However, you completely outsprint me on the writing front - I think you deserve a medal for writing two novels a year as well as holding down the day job. Well done, you.Chris Stovellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03741359642268813093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8666908446822278106.post-47589512174566166812014-03-05T03:18:57.573-08:002014-03-05T03:18:57.573-08:00So, so pleased for you! I know how dispiriting it ...So, so pleased for you! I know how dispiriting it can be, running solo in all weathers, so maybe running the marathon was like publishing a book - a result after all the hours of hard work you put in. Congratulations on doing so well and getting such a great time - you are my inspiration as I plod (slowly) up and down the hill I live on, being outdistanced by the dogs and snails and things...Jane Loveringhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15393411255730345765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8666908446822278106.post-47741533267053011622014-03-05T03:17:00.001-08:002014-03-05T03:17:00.001-08:00Thank you! A PB really was the icing on the cake....Thank you! A PB really was the icing on the cake. I'm glad it's not just me on the final stretch - it's when my willpower is most sorely tested!<br />Chris Stovellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03741359642268813093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8666908446822278106.post-35793526732821611582014-03-05T03:03:46.719-08:002014-03-05T03:03:46.719-08:00Congrats on your PB:) I agree that running and wri...Congrats on your PB:) I agree that running and writing have a lot in common. I always find the final stretch of a race and a novel excruciating, even when the finish line is in sight!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06840475795135915167noreply@blogger.com