Student Stories

It All Adds Up for James

The credits and miles are adding up!

It's studying and running that are always in my diary. I (pictured right) have been running for 30 years and managed to achieve most of my running dreams, such as ‘The Marathon of The Midnight Sun’ in the north of Norway. However, a BA Degree at Lampeter is still a dream, and may even be a step too far. I used to think that about the 26 miles of a marathon, and that doing it would give me a heart attack because I was middle-aged. Now I know I was wrong, and that my dreams can be achieved, step-by-step.

For me, running is being out of doors in all weathers. It means sweaty, heart-pounding, lung-bursting hard work that leaves me looking as though I have come through a hedge backwards - and sometimes I have! After I started and the miles began to add up I started on the marathon trail. This included events in Edinburgh, Dublin, Cardiff and, of course, London.

I completed the ‘Certificate in Interpersonal Skills for Volunteers’ course. I had a go at 'Research Methods' and fell by the wayside. However with the Certificate's 40 credits 'banked' I wanted to go on. I've finished 'Study Skills' and now I am working on 'Introduction to Information Technology'.

Two or three times a week I run. I may be in T-shirt, shorts and cheap trainers, or I could wear the latest sports kit. However, the best thing about running is that I can do it at any time, anywhere, on my own or with friends. It has been said that running is a cure for depression. That’s possible. It certainly helps to take weight off. In some of the Level 1 CIPSV Units I found relationships with 'Goal Setting', 'Personal Development' and 'Relaxation Techniques'.

Today, I run to feel fit and have fun. With luck I may win a prize. Here I have a trophy for the over 70's in a recent 10K event. I was probably the only pensioner there, but one needs to be in it to win it! I doubt that this applies to the University's study courses, and I'm certainly not on any last lap, but the miles and credits are gradually adding up.

You may also want to read:
Irene's Story
Liz's Story
More about the Department of Voluntary Sector Studies

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