Short termism is rife in society in general (think politics for example) and, from the perspective of
Wrighty's Running blogs, running in particular. As I'm sure I've groaned on about in previous posts, today's athletes don't appear to take the long-term view; it's all about a quick fix, getting ready for the next race, rather than structured planning going forward. However, this particular posting has nothing to do with this vexing subject but is about the long term.
As far as I can work out, I have life membership of two organisations. Out of choice - and cost-effectiveness - I took out life membership of Raynes Park Old Boys Association, my alma mater, although now re-named Former Pupils Society as the school now accepts girls(!); I am also a lifer with the Sunday Times Wine Club, taken out following a bribe of extra bottles of wine if I signed up (I was already a member).
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| My debut for Cirencester in 1990 |
To these two august organisations can now be added a third. I recently received an e-mail from my local running club, Cirencester AC, with a receipt for my annual subscription. I found this rather odd as I don't have a standing order set-up and I hadn't paid (always was slow!). Upon closer reading I noticed that the receipt was for £0.00. A second e-mail followed almost immediately: because I've been a member for 25 years I automatically become a life member and don't pay subs. (Quite how that impacts on the levy payable to English Athletics I'm not sure.) Woop, woop, how exciting, my running is now 'free'. Such is the state of my fitness and health it's hard to call it running these days but I persevere.
There's an irony to this life membership at Cirencester. I feel that I'm still an outsider and a newcomer to the club - having joined when I moved to Glos. from London in 1990 - because I first joined a running club back in 1974, yes 41 years ago, and am still a member of Ranelagh Harriers. I think I might be a vice-president but I'm not a life member. Thus I'm still paying out subs for my 41 year-old club but not my baby 25 year-old. I'm not bitter, Ranelagh is far bigger and has been going for 135 years; Cirencester was born out of the 80's running boom and is only 30 years old.
Still, Old Boys, Wine and Running should all keep me happy in my old age.
