Week 1, Day 1. My new friend Laura.

The smack of realisation that I needed to give running a chance hit whilst on a camping holiday with family friends.   I am a huge advocate of camping and love the freedom it provides for us and the children.  I could write a lot about our fabulous Outwell tent and the thrill of being outdoors. 

I’m starting to see a pattern here.  Camping was also something that I had decried as the last thing on earth I would ever do.   I’d rather gnaw my own arm off.  I was unable to see past the lack of socket for hair straighteners. 

Times change, so it seems.   

During two years of camping with the same friends we have built up an annual tradition.  This WILL stick.  For one day the Daddies are dispatched to Bovington Tank Museum with the children.  The Mummies have a glorious child free day of chatting (without interruption), browsing the shops (not simply ‘shopping’) and relaxed lunching.   

On this shopping trip I bought running clothes.  I’d not even put one foot in front of the other in my very dusty and old fashioned Reeboks.  Nothing like the spur of the moment, I was buying neon. 

On the way home from our holiday I downloaded the NHS Couch to 5K app on my phone.  http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/c25k/Pages/couch-to-5k.aspx  Swiping through the 9 week plan I started to realise what I was letting myself in for. 

Week 1, Day 1:  Run 60 seconds, walk 90 seconds for 20 minutes.   Whoa.   

The fact that I was a little bit in love with my bright pink running vest spurred me on to do it.  Two days later I stretched a bit, attached my iPhone to my arm, plugged the headphones in and was off. 

After the five minute warm up walk I ran for 60 seconds.  I can’t say it was easy but Laura, I adore ya!  

Laura is the voice of the NHS Couch to 5K.  She seemed to realise that this was tough, she told me how well I was doing and encouraged me not to stop.  60 seconds run, 90 seconds walk and repeat.  

You’ve just got one more run, you’re doing well.  

Hearing her voice in my ear kept me going through the 20 minutes.  At the end of the session she congratulated me and told me to give myself a pat on the back.   I actually reached round and gave my back a couple of taps and then laughed out loud!  I was beaming.   I burst through the front door red faced but elated.   

I cannot describe the sense of achievement I felt.   

I will do this.