Nature V Nurture

Saturday 5^th May

Distance: 5.01 mile
Time: 1:06:36 min
Avg Speed: 4:51 mph                            
Avg Pace: 13:18min/mile
Calories Burned: 678

Oh my! Today was one of those runs. You know the type - spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. I actually hurt today mainly in the lower right side of my back around the rib cage. I was about half a mile into the run when I realised that I was struggling above and beyond the warm up mile. Then I realised what the cause of my discomfort was! This week had seen the school where I am currently working, closed for the local elections, as the school is used as a polling station. Although closed to children the staff are still expected to work. As the regular staff were engaged in a training day I was not expected to attend this as I am only there for a limited time, so it was a false economy for the head to pay me to attend. Instead I was paid a day’s salary to write the children’s annual reports. I sat for over 6 hours with only a (10 minute break) in the same position, writing at a computer. Now I realise that a lot of you will do this all day at your jobs anyway, ‘so what’s the fuss?’ you may ask. My answer … I was sat in a non-ergonomic chair with my lap top set slightly to the left thus allowing me room for all the data sheets I was working from. Consequently I sat in a left ward twisting incorrect posture for far too long. As a result today I ached down my right side and this really affected my run. I ran out as far as the cemetery, paid my obligatory visit to mum and co. Had to apologise to them for the brevity of my visit but I just wanted to get home. I ran a good lap in 10.4minutes and managed a length of 1.6miles non-stop. So all in all in spite of my lack of physical prowess I think I did quite well.

I had one of those runs where my mind wandered today and I found myself pondering the Nature v Nurture debate. I have always believed that I am a good example of the fact that neither is independently mutually exclusive. I was one of those 1960’s babies given up for adoption. Mum and dad are ‘mum and dad’ they are the ones who took the 6 week old me into their home and loved me. Sadly daddy died when I was only 4. So mum was left to bring me and my sister up alone. She was the one who ‘nurtured’ me. She gave me my value system. Although not a political animal she influenced my political choices. Through her I have my faith. She taught me how to love without question, with all my heart and without asking for anything else in return.  Because of her choices for me and my schools I have my friends and my social networks. The things I enjoy and hobbies I have were influenced by her. The way I brought my own son up was as a result or possibly even an antithesis of my own upbringing. I am who I am because of her.

However I have a genetic make-up too which I also believe is a prime example of the ‘nature’ debate. 20 years ago I was fortunate enough to trace my natural parents. Unlike many adoptees my search was easy and I was able to locate both a birth mother and father who by the same token wanted to meet me.  In finding them I was struck firstly by the huge physical resemblances. I have so many similarities of appearance to both. That of course is to be expected I have their DNA. Here though is where I find myself asking is what else is in the DNA? My birth mother is so like me emotionally, we are both strong willed, hold strong opinions and are not afraid of voicing them. She is a strong woman with a joy of life-so am I.  I have sisters through my Birth mother and I find similarities between myself and them too.

My birth father is a loving, generous man who has a passion for cycling. His children are all actively sporty some of them even make their living from sports related employment. So there I was pounding the streets today as my thoughts wandered and I thought about my birth father and I couldn’t help wondering if it is programmed deep within my genetic blueprint to enjoy this sporty stuff and to find it easier than someone less predestined to be sporty.

My ‘nature’ has given me the advantage to succeed in the task I have set myself. My ‘nature’ has given me the bloody minded determination to do it. And why do I do it? One reason my ‘nurture’ I was nurtured to care, to love, to give.

So world there you have it my nature and my nurture will get me through with you all behind me too I cannot fail. So here I end with my usual link to the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign its work, outreach, campaigns and research just log on to www.muscular-dystophy.org  and see why I am doing this. If you feel you want to support me then please log onto my ‘Just Giving’ account and make a donation www.justgiving.com/Team-LewisMDC. A huge thanks you to all of you who have donated already.

Thank you for your support.