THE 2nd HALF CLUB

THE 2^nd HALF CLUB

We’ve heard it all before … the cliches …

“A game of two halves”    “Extra Time is Looming”  and even “We’re into Fergie Time”

And if you think about it, these Football aphorisms not only can be generalised as  relevant in many competitive sports, but also are a mirror of the human life-span and how we act though our own 90 minutes, I mean 90 years, on this earth.

Im not going to even try to suggest what you do with your lives in the first half, but its human nature as we mature and slow down to reassess our place in this world.

Too many times, the mid-life crisis goes one or two ways; we either spend big on possessions that attempt to hang on to our youth and image, or we go the other way and submit to the mediocrity of acceptance of decline.

But there is another way …. And we don’t need to panic, we just need to recognise that its not necessarily the Result that matters, but how YOU played during the match – your own Match – and at Half Time .. there is still at least 45 minutes to play !

So let me break down the analogy …. I think we can all agree, someone who lives to 90 has had a long life, but with the development of modern medicines and treatments, bar any incurable disease or terrible accident, we can nowadays expect to reach 90 years – or that 90 minutes of our own Match of Life.

90 years is our 90 minutes, and after Half Time, the next 45 minutes is your 2^nd Half –

Lets make it count together … and if you are lucky, there may even be a bit of ‘extra time’ too.

I’m not concerned with the first half  – those under 45… that was yours to grow, develop and decide on your own pathway in life  … but as we walk out onto our own pitches and the whistle blows for the 2^nd Half, its now that our countdown begins.

Who has watched a sport with a time limit on it, or with a set number of laps … cheering on your Team but with one eye on the clock … hoping, wishing that there is still time for that move, that goal, that equaliser, that overtake, that perfect execution ….. and then suddenly …. As time waits for no one … the clock ticks and you realise that time is quickly running out.

When Man City first won the Premiership in 2012 in the first half they were cruising 1.0 against a relegation battle Team, at home … it all changed in the second half and with 66 minutes on the clock, against a 10 man QPR, they were trailing 2:1

My analogy for the 2^nd Half Club puts City at 66 years old with only 24 years to live.

Time was running out, agonisingly, minute by minute, year by year, all wasted, time and life ticking away.

History shows that City actually scored the winner in the 94^th minute – a result that almost caused major heart failure off the pitch …. But in retrospect, looking back … WHY did they not use their 2^nd Half better ? … why did they not score  or do anything meaningful when they had the whole 45 minutes (45 YEARS) to achieve more …. But this particular analogy shows us, that in ANY sport – its NEVER TOO LATE.

I’m in my own 64^th minute at the time of writing …. I’m suddenly starting to realise that many friends are starting to be ‘subbed off’ with injury or illness and some have had even had the RED CARD (for want of a better phrase) before they complete their own 2^nd Half … and believe me … I WANT TO STAY ON THE PITCH

But what about YOU?  …. What ‘minute’ are you up to … or more importantly … how many ‘minutes’ do you have left ? … and how are you going to play them ? … are you going to finally stamp your own mark on the 90 minutes of Life ?

You know I’m into Cycling … but this is about YOU , keeping active, keeping fit, doing things, setting targets, pushing yourself and living every minute  chasing your own dreams and keeping fit till your own final whistle blows ….

So whatever your sport or activity or adventure … are you up for joining the 2nd Half Club ?

As long as you are at least 45 minutes in  and starting your own 2^nd Half, you can join.

We want to hear of your adventures, training, goals, activities, targets, dreams and lets all support and incentivise each other, motivate each other to push on, keep healthy and most importantly … enjoy our 2^NDHALF

Some people hit 45 and their life has  “Got Nil – Nil written all over it” ..  come on … lets give it everything until The Final Whistle.

All I want is a community of like minded people who want to live life to the full, be fit, keep fit, do something youve never done before, push your boundaries, your limits … however high or low they may be … and finally … shout about you achievements !! … We want to hear what yoube done !! add photos too !!

And this way …. WE CAN ALL ENCOURAGE EACH OTHER !!

CONDITIONS:

• THE 2^nd HALF CLUB is open to Male and Females 45 years and Older.
• The Rules are simple:
• Tag in @2ndHalfClub  #2ndHalfClub on Instagram for your posts and achievements etc to be considered for re-posting and use #(courage)mins  to tell everyone your age    i.e. I am #64mins because I’m 64.
• Be aged 45 years or older.
• No Political statements allowed
• Be Kind. No foul language, no insults.

INSTAGRAM:  @The2ndHalfClub https://www.instagram.com/2ndhalfclub

Strava Page: https://www.strava.com/clubs/1395504

EMAIL:   2ndHalfClub@gmail.com

A paid Membership scheme with benefits is being considered as is 2nd Half Club merchandise / teamwear but Im only thinking about this..