Dear Younger Self,I hope you're well. I know many letters
start like this but, in your case,
those words are particularly poignant
because, at the age of 25, just eight
months after the birth
of your first daughter,
Gracie, you're going to be
diagnosed with ovarian
cancer. Thankfully, you will survive it and have another
daughter, Lois, even though the doctors will tell you that
it's unlikely you'll ever conceive again. That experience
will teach you that, with God, anything is possible.I know this body isn't your ideal version and that you
will feel it has let you down. It will let cancer in and
will bear the scars to prove it. But it will do some amazing
things, too. It will grow two beautiful children and bring
them into the world. And it will one day enable you to
take up running, an activity that will become a passion and
make you realise you can do anything you put your mind
to. Running will slim you down and allow you to enjoy food
again without counting calories. It will give you a glorious
sense of being free of all the stresses of life's daily demands. And along
the way you'll learn that going running doesn't mean you have to run the
whole way: as long as you're moving, you're improving.You'll have to wait till you're 33 to find all of this out. But trust me,
it'll be worth it!Warmest regards, GinaDear Younger Self,Greetings from 2017. What if I told you that,
one day, when you retire at 58, you will take
up running? Yes, really. Despite many failed
attempts to convince you you simply weren't
designed to run, this time you will succeed.Younger Self, you really can run, I promise! In
fact, one day, you will run races, slowly, in
the dark, through mud, a lake (yes, honestly),
along rough tracks and, wait for it, you'll
love every minute!You'll even join two running clubs (NewentRunners and Forest of Dean Canicross) and end up having a social life so fabulous you can't even
begin to imagine it now. What's more, running will give you the confidence to mentor beginner runners
who doubt their potential. How amazing is that?
One day you'll find that running will transform your body into that slimmer, fitter one you've
always yearned for, even though you'll enjoy cake after almost every run! You don't know this yet- no giggling – but, at 60, you'll start to strut your stuff in Lycra leggings
and technical gear because you'll have discovered that looking the part
increases your self-confidence.
My best advice, Younger Self, is not to get too obsessed with getting faster.
You'll go through a very negative patch at some point where you'll feel sick
and struggle to breathe. You'll even tell yourself that you hate running.
Trust me, you don't. Eventually you'll learn that what's important is to
get out there and run. Yes, but also stop and admire the views, chat to your
running buddies, laugh lots and walk if you need to. Don't beat yourself up
over times and don't try to do it alone. Please just enjoy yourself and have
a blast!Much love, Lynn“Running will teach you
that you can do anything
you put your mind to”
Gina Leadbeatter, 34, Horsham, West Sussex“Running will
allow you to
strut your stu
in Lycra”
Lynn Latham, 60,
Herefordshirecancer. Thankfully, you will survive it and have anothersense of being free of all the stresses of life's daily demands. And along© EMILY TRENWITHwomensrunninguk.co.ukLIFE LESSONS