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Sonya Mallett's avatar

Love this idea Annie and will be keeping an eye on what you plan to share.

I’m a regular runner and find the best ideas always come to me when out for a run, nothing beats getting outside, forgetting about the day to day and allowing your brain to breath.

I (possibly stupidly) signed up this month to a 50km ultramarathon, (I turn 50 this month), challenging myself to 50km at 50, so let’s see how that goes once the training properly kicks in later this year.

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Annie Macmanus's avatar

Jesus Sonya that is serious. It's also very inspiring. Best of luck for it. In total agreement, run/walks are breeding grounds for ideas!

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Sonya Mallett's avatar

Thank you, I’m considering documenting it on here as a weekly diary once the official training kicks in. 🤔

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Tor Goldfield's avatar

Hey, Sonya. This made me smile. I'm also turning 50 next month and am doing my first 50km ultra in October in Sussex. Where's yours? Good luck with the training!

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Sonya Mallett's avatar

Oh amazing Tor! Mines along the Suffolk coast in September. Good luck with the training, summer training isn’t ideal, although early morning runs or late evenings which will be lovely.

I’m thinking of capturing my journey on here with a little mini series. I ran Brighton Marathon (my one and only marathon) last year and wished I’d recorded the progress of my journey.

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Tor Goldfield's avatar

I did Brighton Marathon last year too - my second, after Beachyhead six months before that (I'm doing the ultra version this year). Isn't it amazing to be doing this kind of thing at this age. I'm amazed that my body can do far more than I ever thought possible 😁

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Sonya Mallett's avatar

What a coincidence! I never imagined being able to run a marathon, although with the right training I think anything is possible (also with the right me mental attitude).

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Tor Goldfield's avatar

100% agree 😁

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Annie Macmanus's avatar

you're both fucking amazing! i am beyond impressed!

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Lola's avatar

I run commute (run to station, get on train, run from station about 3 times a week. I used drive and it was so stressful/tiring. Running (plodding really) is just so much better. I arrive in good form and then shake off the stress after work. We do have nice showers at work (essential!) and I had to get over my fear at being seen by colleagues sweaty and red faced in running gear... If I don't run regularly now, it really affects my mental health. But I had to work to get over my fear of people judging me for being slow/walking when I need to. Giving myself permission to run exactly how I want - slowly if I feel tired, with breaks if/when I want transformed running for me andade it sustainable ... I used to think if I stopped at all I was "failing" and if I wasn't fast "enough" that was failing too, and I also felt really self-conscious in leggings as a normal size 12 woman (i.e. not skinny). Realising that that is all total bullshit and I can do exactly what I like was amazing. I used always give up because it felt so hard. I've now been running regularly for 7 years! But I think a lot of woman feel those same fears...

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Annie Macmanus's avatar

oh Lola. you're amazing. well done you for fighting to run your way. The biggest hurdle in these things is always ourselves. Once we get out of our own way everything is easier.. and yes i can imagine so many women will relate to your issues. Not to mention just feeling safe on the roads..

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Gemma Wasley's avatar

Hey Annie. I’m reading an amazing book at the moment ‘The Dose Effect’ by British author TJ Power. It’s about optimising your brain chemistry to transform your mental and physical health. Apparently, there is a specific area of your brain called the AMCC (Anterior mid-cingulate cortex) during any moment in which you either resist an addictive behaviour or intentionally engage with a healthy behaviour, this component of your brain will light up, the stronger it will become. As this component gets stronger, your ability to maintain discipline gets easier. Gym bunnies and super motivated people have activated their AMCC and they are in the dopamine ‘flow state’ It’s fascinating stuff. Interestingly, the author TJ talks about brain chemistry in relation to addiction as he used to party hard when he was younger and got into neuroscience as he wanted to change old habits and live his best life. He would be a great person to chat to for your movement month 💪

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Ms Fontaine's avatar

I am 54 next week and things are starting to creak and stiffen. I am trying to dance to at least one song every day when I first wake up because dance is the only way of moving that I love. I don’t always achieve it but when I do, it’s pure joy!

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Annie Macmanus's avatar

i absolutely love this daily practise! also very inspiring!

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Anne's avatar

Hi Annie do you think you could cover movement and exercise for women over 60 please. I attend a yoga class once a week, walk my dog for about an hour a day (hilly) , cold water short swim in sea 3-4 times a week and am learning Cornish gig rowing and row about once a week. However in the last year or so I have so many aches and pains in joints and muscles but have no idea if this is just the ageing process and if I should do more or less exercise /movement. And How to manage muscle pain.

There has been so much interest in the peri and menopause (which is good)but not a lot of interest in post menopause and women’s health/exercise post 60 years I feel.

Thanks.

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Annie Macmanus's avatar

Love this Anne. I really want to make sure we are filling any gaps. I have an idea of someone to speak to that might be able to help with this..

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Janette Phillips's avatar

I echo this Anne - having just turned 60 I am finding joint issues a new problem. I keep starting new programmes with vigour and then have to wait it out while my knee or shoulder recovers. I have been strength training on and off for 10 years and even have a trophy ( I was the only woman in her 50's in my weight category :) ). But everything definitely now has a physical 'price' attached and it is difficult to know what to work through and what to avoid.

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Lucy Handley's avatar

Hi Annie, I’d love to understand what happens to the brain during dancing, and how music adds to that experience. Recently started going to ecstatic dance nights (kind of like a sober rave) and I dance more freely and wildly than I do when I go clubbing. It’s like being a kid again.

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Annie Macmanus's avatar

oooh yes. the science of it is fascinating. Thanks Lucy

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Clr McD's avatar

Somatic movement! I am in my late thirties but developed all sorts of back and hip problems last year. I felt like I tried everything and saw every type of specialist and had every sort of scan with no change. I then discovered an online somatic movement course to release trauma and oh my days it healed me! I had so much secondary trauma from work (children’s social worker) it was actually changing my body. Somatics is a way of life for me now - I aim for the 20 minutes a day that is just for my mind and my body. I still like to run and do Pilates but somatics is a game changer

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Sharon's avatar

Would love to know more about this 😊

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Amy O'Malley's avatar

Speak to Porna Bell about weightlifting especially for women, and read her book stronger!

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Annie Macmanus's avatar

ok! this is great! thank you! I follow Porna anyway

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Marbellys's avatar

I used to run long distance (half-marathons, marathons) and used to do triathlons, but then picked up a permanent injury which makes it painful to run. So instead I do strength training and since September last year I’ve taken up dancing, learning the rumba, bachata and Argentine tango. Dancing gives me the same buzz I used to get from running and I’m meeting new people, more importantly I’m not at home on my own in the evenings feeling sorry for myself.

Please, please, please I’d love it if you got Karen Hauer or Maria Tsiatsiani to talk about dancing and how good it is for overall fitness but also for mental health

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Eleanor Rachel's avatar

Movement is incredible, only recently a friend told me of how in her line of work with children, movement has hugely helped them in processing trauma. I will forever advocate even the smallest of movement to help us shift and reset, especially in the world we find ourselves part of. Go for a walk, be with nature, and if you can, find someone to connect with as you go. Thank you Annie for starting this conversation

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Annie Macmanus's avatar

wow this is so interesting and totally unsurprising when i think about it. I'd love to know the science of that... thanks Ellie

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Susan Ring's avatar

Another vote here for movement as a way of processing trauma. I’ve never understood why the main way to try to process trauma is through talk therapy. Our bodies are not separate from our brains, it’s all one system and all of it needs to be addressed when it comes to trrauma.

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Farzana's avatar

This Woman Lifts on Insta! Also, I’m 50 this year and Pilates has taken on a new meaning for me at this age than when I tried it 20 years ago! Thought it was slow and boring 😂 I now absolutely feel every move and love it

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Janette Phillips's avatar

As I get older I am drawn less to high energy pursuits and more towards moving with intention. If you have anyone who could talk about Qi Gong and the art of moving with energetic fluidity and balance that would be great. I am sure this type of practice has a way of balancing our internal rhythms and organs and so is vital for positive ageing.

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Sarah's avatar

Great idea! A few thoughts from me, if helpful:

Mobility - I’d love to know what basic first-thing-in-the-morning routine might look like to help the body (I’m shrivelling up like a crisp packet here so this is a blatant cry for help…)

Writers and speakers from differently abled communities - what does movement look like or feel like for those followers (it would be great to give space to those voices and experts during your month)

Thank you! X

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Annie Macmanus's avatar

Thanks so much for this Sarah.. am working on speaking to someone differently abled to talk about accessibility in sports.. excited for that. Nearly fell off me chair with the crisp packet analogy. love that question.. am taking notes..

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Laura C's avatar

Why don’t older women do team sports…? From my perspective surely that’s down to pretty much 99% of our generation’s girls dropping out of all of that at school as soon as puberty struck… (period sick note anyone? no?!). I guess boys our age (okay, now men, lol) have just done team sports continuously since school, with zero hiatus. We are actively having to undo this lifelong norm to participate now. You’ve played a blinder (pun intended!) on this front with your football and I have to say it’s pretty inspiring! Will it shift me off my solo pursuits (yoga, boxing etc) or not, only time will tell. Keep up the good work Annie! 😊

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Stephanie Ellen's avatar

I love this 💚 I love yoga and walking but need to do some more cardio and weight based exercise.. the gym terrifies me though!

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Sharon's avatar

This is so timely. I have only just realised the benefits of exercise, and have been going to the gym and walking loads since last July. Previously had a very sporadic on / off exercising pattern. I turn 50 in December and I’m determined to enter that decade fit and well. Recently I’ve been thinking about going out of my comfort zone and channeling my inner 10 year old and try roller skating again, but I have no idea where I could relearn! Within the London/ south London area.

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