Running has always been my nemesis. 

I’ve huffed, flounced and struggled through several attempts at learning to run over the years and never managed to stop quitting at it. 

My reasons (excuses) ranged from feeling too out of breath (asthma), too tired (isn’t everyone), too fat (wobbly bits galore), too achey (dodgy knee, sore hip), blah blah, snore….the result always being that I talked myself out of it. I just couldn’t do it. I would *never* be a runner! 

And then surprisingly…..cue a total change of heart, after finding and signing up to Mary McLellan’s Learn to Run 0-5k Club. Being surrounded by our group of lovely women, all of us equally daunted by the prospect of hitting 5k, made the pain of running less and the struggle bearable, because we’ve all been in it together. 

So despite the cold weather, the asthma, the wobbly bits, and the injuries, I’ve run. And I’ve found a resilience that I didn’t know I had. 5k might be a tiny goal to some, but until recently, to me it’s been a mountain. And now I can’t wait to climb it. 

As a resident of Bushey, Herts I am so happy to be able to run for a local cause. Watford Mencap do incredible things supporting local children and adults with learning disabilities, their families and their carers, and all money raised via this page will go towards funding their much-needed services.