And the winner isn't common sense

I do not have a competitive nature ... usually. I am too used to making a mess of things and failing to have any hopes of winning.

Yesterday in gentle exercise - did I mention that I now go to an over-60s group? - I was placed in a set with two men, both older than me. (We work in threes to go around the circuit.) The trainer put me with them saying to them, 'Your challenge is to keep up with her.'

Well, what could I do after that but try my very hardest? Fine in most things and then we came to the running. Up and down the gym. The first two turns of the circuit I was well ahead of my fellows; the third time I was tired - and I think they suddenly ganged together and decided to make a race of it - and they were just ahead of me much of the time.

With the trainer shouting, 'Come on, faster,' and my friend, Janet, yelling, 'Come on, Liz, you can do it,' I stretched out my legs and finally managed to finish just an inch ahead of the two men. But ... at what price?


Fortunately it was cool down after that but I honestly thought, 'I'm going to have to go and sit down before I either fall down or throw up.' I felt soooo bad.

And the too-much-information bit: little drops of wee kept leaking out - which, of course, also slowed me down. I didn't want to make a puddle on the floor. Men don't have that problem you see.