Sports Day, Run like the wind

It's that time of year again when school children prepare for their annual Sports Day. It's a wonderful feeling, the long summer holiday is approaching and it 's time for a bit of fun in the sun.

Not being particularly gifted at sport and certainly not blessed with a competitive spirit I was always happy to sit on the grass chatting, eating my cheese sandwiches and rejoicing in the victors happy grins. Maybe I would join in the egg and spoon race, three- legged race or sack race but just for fun. Anyone who has seen the film ' Chariots of Fire' will recognize the beautiful theme music that in Italian is called 'Momenti di gloria', moments of glory. It just makes you want to run, preferably on a beach with wind in your hair and a smile on your face. 

The film is about running and the Paris Olympics in the  Twenties, between the two wars. It's about different types of running. Some people are good at jumping over hurdles, some are better at short, speedy bursts while others are better at long gentle distances. Like everything we're all better at some things than others and we just need to learn how to pace ourselves. No use the sprinter rushing off hoping to win a marathon.

Actually I did have a moment of glory at a Sports Day. I had to wait until I was fifteen and then I won the Sack race, but only because all the serious athletes were elsewhere.

Hope you enjoy listening to the theme from Chariots of Fire and get a chance to run along a beach this Summer.

Happy first of June.