I started running (the first time) in about 2004. Until then, I had never been a runner.  I’m sorry, but it’s true.  I was definitely built for comfort, not speed…  One day, early in the process, I stumbled into work before I’d had coffee.  My friend Chris greeted me with “Hiya, Vicki, do you want to do the Manchester 10k?”.  I must have misheard him.  I was sure he was offering me coffee..  “yeah, sure…”.  “Great.  What’s your address and date of birth?” Even then, I didn’t realise the enormity of the mistake I’d just made.  I did wonder what that had to do with coffee, but all the same I mumbled the information and stumbled into the office.  It didn’t hit me until many mugs of strong, dark coffee later just what I’d let myself in for.  10K??? I could barely run for a bus!! It was January.  The race was in May. I did it in 1 hour, 11 minutes and some seconds.  And then I sat on the sofa and didn’t move again for a *very* long time…

Then, in 2014, I decided to lose some weight.  I thought I’d get fit.  So I signed up for and ran the Oxford 10k (in some world where “run” means “didn’t die during”).  It took me an hour and a half and every last shred of self respect I could muster….

But apart from that… I wasn’t a runner.  Not until I signed up for Rebelfit, and back in March 2015 the training mission  told me to go for a run.  Not only go for a run, but do a PB (personal best) at 1km, 2km, 3km or 5km.  Hmmmm… So I strapped on my old running shoes and set out.  I did 2.3km, at a rate of roughly tortoise-pace.  And it doesn’t really count as a personal best for anything….*except* making myself get out of bed and do something I hate.

And for some reason, I kept at it.  Partly because Liam, my trainer at Rebelfit, kept making it part of my programme; partly because I found the support and encouragement of Run Mummy Run and realised that women with no time trying to run was a Thing; and partly because I can’t resist a bit of bling.  Until here I am, in November 2015, with a handful of 5k and 10k races under my belt and places in the Silverstone Half Marathon in March 2016, and the Brighton Marathon in April 2016. My current best for 5k is 29 minutes, and for 10k is 1:06:52.