As I start to write this story, a message pops up in my mailbox. – Dear Fredric, it is now 111 days to go until the Stockholm Marathon. Read about the rules… We look forward to seeing you on the start line.

I think to myself. How did I get to this point? Am I out of my mind taking part in a Marathon! My brain wonders back in time and I recall the moment about 3.5 years ago when this journey started.

Mid life crisis?

Like many other men in my age, I started to feel out of condition and thought it was time to do something about it as well as to have a new focus in life.

I shared my thoughts and concerns with two dance pupils from our school who work in the police force. – Join us on a Tough Mudder, they said. Before I had time to asses this idea, it was highlighted to me the risks of injury to legs and limbs. In other words, not conducive to my job as a dance teacher.

Instead, Vicki’s and my Pilates instructor, dance pupil and dear friend Carl suggested he’d help me get back in shape.

First pair of shoes

Once a week we took our bikes out for a spin in the luscious forest we are lucky to have close to home. It was soon evident that my stamina wasn’t as good as I had thought. A reality check smacks you in the face! After a few sessions, the exercise started to get easier. It was time to add a new element to my fitness regime.

– Bring your running shoes, I read on a text message from Carl on a miserably cold and wet morning. I do as I am told and dig out my shoes from the cupboard, which hadn’t seen the light of day in a long time and head over to Carl.

First run

We are starting with an 20/20 interval session I am informed. This involves walking for 20 seconds followed by 20 seconds of running. The first ever running session lasted for about 30 minutes and I was totally spent.

I was instructed to pop in to a running shop on my way home to get some proper gear, as I would otherwise very likely get injured. Being one for following sound advice, I did as I was told. The lady in shop got me on to a treadmill like a hamster in a cage and with the state of the art video equipment did a gait analysis.

Having tried a few shoes, I left for home with a smile on my face, carrying a lovely pair of pristine white shoes I had never heard the name of. I thought I’d  better take a picture of these shoes as I suspected they wouldn’t stay this white for long. I was right!

Stay tuned for more

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