Let's get one thing clear to start with. I do not run. By that, I don't mean that it's just not something I do often, I mean that I have done everything I can to avoid running pretty much since the age of 11. At primary school, I quite enjoyed running. I even managed to win the sports day sprint a few times with the help of my long legs. Once I started secondary school though, it all changed. I think it probably had something to do with the fact that I was completely turned off any form of sport by totally uninspiring P.E. teachers who made us run around the netball court in the middle of winter with a ridiculously short skirt on whilst they stood there shouting at us wrapped up in their warm tracksuits and ski jackets. They also had a clear preference for girls who were what they perceived to be 'good at sport' and those of us who may not have been the most sporty but were willing to try hard were not ever given the chance. I was pleased to see in the news a few weeks ago an article that pretty much sums up my feeling of P.E. in secondary schools:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-17873519
There aren't many memorable experiences for me from P.E. in secondary school, but those I do have are certainly not positive. Here is a summary:
1) Cross country runs - the P.E. lesson everyone dreaded, running around the school fields. Finishing in the top 10 meant an invitation to cross country running club at lunchtime! I avoided these on more than one occasion by 'falling over' somewhere near the start and being unable to run!
2) Hockey lessons where you were repeatedly and purposefully hit around the ankles by girls who thought that was fair play. I resorted to always opting for a defence position on the best team so I could stand near the goal and chat to my friends.
3) Sports Day. I entered the long jump in Year 7 and after that never entered again. My tutor was a P.E. teacher at the time and after stating in Year 8 that everyone must take part in at least one event, I told her that I wasn't very good at P.E. and would rather not enter. I guess I was expecting some kind of encouragement but she told me that was fine and so it continued. My sports days were spent eating ice lollies, chatting with friends and watching the boys compete!
At university I once decided to take up running and think I managed to go out twice before deciding that it really wasn't for me after all. As for other sport, I have had phases of quite enjoying badminton and I do like swimming when I can be bothered with the whole getting wet thing. I went through a phase of 'playing' squash with my now husband but I probably wasn't the best pupil because at the first sign of getting hot and sweaty I pretty much refused to play anymore!
Don't get me wrong, I like to be outdoors and love a good walk in the countryside but anything more than that is just not for me. Especially running.
There aren't many memorable experiences for me from P.E. in secondary school, but those I do have are certainly not positive. Here is a summary:
1) Cross country runs - the P.E. lesson everyone dreaded, running around the school fields. Finishing in the top 10 meant an invitation to cross country running club at lunchtime! I avoided these on more than one occasion by 'falling over' somewhere near the start and being unable to run!
2) Hockey lessons where you were repeatedly and purposefully hit around the ankles by girls who thought that was fair play. I resorted to always opting for a defence position on the best team so I could stand near the goal and chat to my friends.
3) Sports Day. I entered the long jump in Year 7 and after that never entered again. My tutor was a P.E. teacher at the time and after stating in Year 8 that everyone must take part in at least one event, I told her that I wasn't very good at P.E. and would rather not enter. I guess I was expecting some kind of encouragement but she told me that was fine and so it continued. My sports days were spent eating ice lollies, chatting with friends and watching the boys compete!
At university I once decided to take up running and think I managed to go out twice before deciding that it really wasn't for me after all. As for other sport, I have had phases of quite enjoying badminton and I do like swimming when I can be bothered with the whole getting wet thing. I went through a phase of 'playing' squash with my now husband but I probably wasn't the best pupil because at the first sign of getting hot and sweaty I pretty much refused to play anymore!
Don't get me wrong, I like to be outdoors and love a good walk in the countryside but anything more than that is just not for me. Especially running.
No comments:
Post a Comment