Publications – Page 6 – Ruth Livingstone

Race Walking – the forgotten Olympic Sport

Let me explain why I wrote my latest Olympic Story on the topic of Race Walking.

Some months ago I met an 82 year-old man at the communal breakfast table, while staying in a B&B on one of my walking trips. He listened attentively to my tales of walking-round-the-coast and seemed politely impressed by my achievements. Then he mentioned he had done some walking himself, in his younger days.

But it turns out that he was no ordinary countryside rambler. No. Ronald was a race walker.

Race walking? I had forgotten about this particular sport: a gruelling race where the competitors walk as fast as they can without running, and adopt a curious hip rolling gait so as to achieve maximum speed while never allowing both feet to leave the ground at the same time. Continue reading “Race Walking – the forgotten Olympic Sport”

BMA News Review piece: Head Lice

Head lice and working mothers

Two weeks ago I opened the BMA News Review* and read an anguished opinion piece written by a doctor. She had just discovered nits in the hair of her young children and she did what many busy working-mums do: she blamed herself.

I knew this wasn’t her fault, because nits and head lice are rife in most British primary schools and feeling compelled to respond, I wrote a letter – to her – and sent it via e-mail to the BMA News Review to pass on.

They sent me a reply and asked if they could publish the letter. Of course I said ‘yes’. Imagine my surprise when it won a prize.

And the letter looked good, sitting below a specially commissioned cartoon to illustrate the point I was making.

Even if publication was not my intention, seeing the letter in print was the highlight of my week.

*The BMA News Review is circulated with the British Medical Journal (BMJ) to its UK subscribers. The BMJ is a highly respected medical journal. The News Review is a light-hearted and chatty newsletter.

Telling Stories – Olympic style.

TEAMWORK was the challenge set. Despite being chosen to be an Olympic Storyteller, I really have very little personal interest in sports. How do I set about writing a story on teamwork with a sporting theme?

Connection was the topic for the latest Olympic Storyteller challenge.

I have to confess, despite being chosen to be an Olympic Storyteller, I really have very little personal interest in sports. And when I do something sporting, I usually choose an activity where my efforts are solitary. Not for me the team spirit of the hockey field, netball court or relay race. I am more inclined to go for long walks on my own, ski a slope in splendid isolation, or play a game against a computer opponent.

So Connection? How do I set about writing a story on the connecting power of sport? Continue reading “Telling Stories – Olympic style.”

Olympic Storyteller – failing to live up to my expectations

Well, damn and blast it. After initial mad enthusiasm, I have failed dismally to update my Olympic Storyteller site with new stories.

The last story I wrote was in August. I am hanging my head in shame.

Then someone kindly pointed out the link to my profile page on the Olympic Storyteller site wasn’t working. So, for one awful moment, I thought I had been expelled from the site. But they had just moved the pages around. Whew.

I must do better…..

Winning a short story competition

Time to boast? So sorry, but yes, I won the Crime Story Competition in Writing Magazine and my short story was published in the January 2012 edition of the magazine.