u/sweetpotatoeater

When I say I've never run, I really mean it. Last year I started off with 6 x 1 minute intervals which wiped me out. Got it up to 2 minute intervals at a 7'30 pace, and had to tell myself to slow down if I wanted to go further. So I've literally never run. Even tried couch to 5k but I found the progression too fast.

End of last year I worked up to my first ever 5k. While I'm incredibly proud of it, it was ridiculously slow. Nearly a 9 minute pace. But hey I ran a race and have a medal to prove it!!

I picked up running again this month after a break and I'm now running 5ks at a 7:30 pace, the same pace I couldn't do more than 2 minutes at. I can't wait to aim for a 30 minute 5k!!

I just love that I've got another fitness tool under my belt. I can't wait to stack a few more e.g. swimming, lifting heavier, mobility/stability. On mobility, I'd love to also be able to do an asian squat. Anyone got any other "fitness tools/skills" they want to achieve??

What options are out there to keep older folk in the UK busy? Are there things we can help our parents sign up to?

For context, my dad is nearly 70 and loves being busy. So much that he retired but then decided to start a small business then got another job. He's stopped both of those now, so spends majority of his time doing DIY around the house. There's not much to really do to be honest, so it's a sort of "if you're a hammer, everything you see is a nail" type of DIY. We usually let him be, but problem is, he ended up throwing away a few sentimental items of mine because he was too eager to get rid of "junk". Not the first time unfortunately.

Besides this, he doesn't really have friends and is often against trying something new if it's not business-y related. I've tried to get him into golf but I don't think that's stuck yet.

How on earth do you help keep someone like this busy? What's available in the UK for this?

Edit: This has had a lot of great info so far, thanks everyone! Always grateful for even more ideas. For info, he's worked in finance/banking his whole life but always has an interest in DIY, wildlife, history. He's not so good with people, but I think he could do really well with the exposure. His family can't be the only people he speaks with