I deliberately kept the weeks of the Olympics and Paralympics as free from work commitments as possible. You see, as one of the official BT Olympic Storytellers, I felt it was my duty to watch as much as I could. And, as planned, I spent most of those weeks sitting in front of the television with the remote control in my hand, watching everything cycling, swimming, rowing, football, volley ball, sailing, tennis and the glorious track and field events.
Shortly after the Olympics finished, I went to support our eldest daughter (Ella Fields) as she took part in the Vitruvian Triathlon at Rutland Water – a punishing open-water swim, followed by a 50K 50 mile bike ride, followed by a half-marathon run. The weather was sunny and hot. I am proud to report that our daughter successfully completed the event. Despite finishing way back in the field, she looked cool and fit at the end – unlike most of the competitors who looked grey and ill.
If watching sports people perform could get you fit, I would be an Olympic champion myself.
Having put on a few pounds in weight (watching people being sporty makes me hungry), I have enrolled myself in a circuit-training fitness programme and, so far so good, have been exercising three times a week and dropped a couple of pounds.
Can we chalk this up as part of the legacy of the Olympics?
Ruth Livingstone 