Day 1

Ever found yourself doing something and asked the question how did I get here?

Well I find myself doing that very thing on a damp and wet Sunday morning as I dig out some tracksuit bottoms and pull my trainers on ready to go for a run.

It’s fair to say that this is not my usual activity for a Sunday, in fact I haven’t ran any kind of distance since volunteering for the cross country in year 8 (I only did that because the boy I fancied was running it) but I’ve agreed to take part in the Cannon Hall Run and I’m a woman of my word. With that in mind I’ll be spending the next few weeks running at every opportunity. If I’m to get round the 10 k course I’m going to need a lot of help….

…. I opt for running off the road at a local reservoir, mainly because I don’t think the people of my home town are ready to see me huffing and puffing and struggling up the road. I also figured it’d mean I’d be able to walk without looking like too much of a quitter.  Pulling up the reservoir I’m struck by how big it is and start thinking I’ve bitten off far more than I can chew - or run - this is going to be a real challenge….

.... I’d like to say I breeze around the 2 lap challenge (which turns out to be approximately 5 k) with the grace and athleticism of a professional but I’m not about to start lying now. In fact it’s a bit of a struggle, I use any excuse to walk from having to open gates, tying shoe laces, drinking water - in short anything. When I eventually get back to the car in a heaving, panting mess I look like an escaped convict who’s spent the past 40 minutes running (in a fashion) from the guards. It has not been my best morning. I suddenly realise that the 12^th August will soon be upon me and I’ll have to have gone twice the distance I really do need all the help I can get and there’s no backing out

– Until next time, Sarah