For the love of it

When was the last time you just did something for the love of it, not gadgets, no tracking, just doing it?

There is probably not a pastime out there that you can't get a great gadget for by now, or technology can get in the way. Even for running or walking, which should be simple activities, right?

Put on your trainers, head out the door and you are off.

Oh but most definitely the answer now is no!

As a keen runner, I am not immune; I have a Fitbit strapped to my wrist to constantly tell me how many steps I am doing, and it can even map my runs when linked to Strava. I can track every run, good or bad. I am constantly checking my watch as I run around my well-trodden routes, am I slower than normal, am I fast than normal, and at the end of the run I eagerly look to see my success.

Even escaping to the hills for a restful walk is not technology free, there is the stopping at the top to take a selfie, or in my case taking another view to add to my collection.

When did we forget to just do our pastimes for the fun of it? Some of my most enjoyable runs are when I forget my watch and just run around, and even shockingly can be some of my fastest. On a recent trip to the hills, it was a joy to leave my phone at home and rely on a good old OS map to wander the hills. It was like a breath of fresh air.

 So, go on try it, do it just for the love it!