My name is Julia Chi…
I have been running all of my life – it feels I was born to run.
In the running step I experienced freedom and my true expression.
I came to see that I needed to ‘get out of the way of myself’ and let my energy flow through the running step; allow it to express itself in the dance and the motion of running.
I have lived from a belief that all that is required is that I know myself, and that I am true to myself, and seek to become the master of my body and my mind… That from this place I allow my true nature to shine and reflect in my creative endeavours and within my relationships.
An ongoing journey…!
I knew from when I was young that all I needed to do was to ‘run free’. To let the running take me where it wanted to. To stay in the step. To be in the moment and so to experience running as a meditation on the move.
I ran for England and GB for some years. My first international was in 1979, a three mile cross country race; and I continued to run at international level until 1993. Two of my best results were first place in the Dublin City Marathon in 1985 and 7th place woman, 3rd British woman in the 1986 London Marathon in a time of 2.36.31, which gained me selection for the Commonwealth Games.
ByJulia Chi
I am enshrouded by white grey clouds, all above and around and then as I look up the street it is clearing and they are below the little white house, white sheets stretching across the road… And further up on the high peaks – a layer of snow… I still have no voice, the internet…
ByJulia Chi
Today I was caught in a storm in the mountains… I had set off for a long walk, deciding to give both my body and my voice a chance… Feet and spirit were more than willing, but as flesh is showing signs of weakness – I chose what seemed to be a wise option… Seemed…
ByJulia Chi
Today has been a different day, it has felt like I have visited a new uncharted land; as if I have been on a great big journey to discover something very important and that I accomplished my task… Fortunately I had the foresight to make two vlogs yesterday… Very odd really as I didn’t anticipate…
ByJulia Chi
I love this planet that we inhabit, that is now like a huge town, where news spreads fast from one end to the other… In my part of this town today, it has been a sunny bright shining day – glistening and sparkling and still; clear blue skies and silence and quiet – and a…
ByJulia Chi
I am sitting on the terrace of the little white house where I am staying; the October sun is bright and the day unfolding in delicious peace; I have the feeling of Sunday’s past, when there were no shops open and the day was for rest and recuperation, Sunday lunch a family walk in the…
ByJulia Chi
I am sitting in a cafe surrounded by many Spaniards who have been doing a marathon mountain walk – much chat has been engaged in about me wearing no shoes…! My Spanish conversation may end up a tad limited I fear – I have become the master at explaining my love of being barefoot –…
ByJulia Chi
My day started with the sun creeping over the peaks… I ran on the mountain road watching the day break on another new and different training ground for my feet, every step leading me paso a paso on an adventure that they seem to be planning themselves…! Later just as I was about to leave…
ByJulia Chi
I am back in my office six miles high again… It seems so long since I was here and yet it was Tuesday and today it is Thursday… When I was on the treadmill this morning, I was thinking about the 40 hours I had just spent in the UK, treasuring how rich with experience…
ByJulia Chi
My office on the plane; the plane my office… As we sat waiting for take off, the pilot announced further delays caused by missing our slot, possibly an hour still on board, he said, until we could leave… I never mind delays, I see them as an opportunity, it feels like somehow they give me…
ByJulia Chi
‘The more I am able to understand the Spanish conversations around me, the more I realise that everyone is talking about very normal things…’ I said laughingly to Maricarmen … ‘This magical world that is revealing itself to me, is revealing quite normal…’ She laughed ‘Por supeusto… Of course – it would be wonderful if…
ByJulia Chi
At the end of Anadi’s birthday celebration meal we were brought a huge heap of delicious ness, with lashings of cream and a candle burning brightly on top – this was due to my heralding birthday ness! At the beginning of the meal we planned to go the whole way, and in celebratory style enjoy…
ByJulia Chi
Anadi and I clambered across the watery rocky shore line, ankle deep in warm salt water, feeling the seaweed and sand beneath our feet… A birthday run; Anadi well enough to come out to play again… We had a plan for a birthday skinny dip at the end of the beach, but today it seemed…
