I am back, but not really here. My lack of running blogging has been due to my lack of running. How can you blog about something you are not doing? Not down to poor weather or lack of motivation or anything like that, but I guess I have a good excuse...

It is hard to admit when things get tough – I’m tempted to write a ‘rosy posy’ blog and show a face to the world that I’d like all to see, but instead I am going to be real. The strong amongst us soldier on and maybe that...

I suppose the one good thing about this awful summer weather is that so far I have been little affected by running in the heat. Chance would be nice though. Is there so much difference between winter and summer training I wonder? Which do I prefer? ...

Some things in life are just not funny; queuing, waiting to see the dentist, losing your keys, being late. Running however can be quite an amusing pastime. First, I am amused at how fickle I can be. Some days I am intent on having the flattest stomach...

Twelve months ago on 29 th June 2011, I put on a pair of barely used cross trainers and attempted to jog around the block for the first formal exercise I had done in years. For three years, I had suffered terribly from a very deep depression, which...

I have had one of those times where I have not been able to do any running for a full 10 days. This was down to being at work for hours on end, then being away and having several social engagements that I had to attend. Not only was I unable to tap...

I’m not running a marathon… It seems everybody is running - running further than me. Lots of ultras, marathons, big challenge distances in far flung places. Am I somehow less of a runner because I don’t take part in these long hauls...

Ha I’m back! On a number of levels I have been ‘away’. Having had horrendous chest infections, three courses of anti-biotics , 2 flights, 2 lots of business trips, charity work and family commitments, not to mention the dodgy weather...

What else do you expect to see out of a Torquay Hotel Window? Its winter, it’s cold. I know I am stating the obvious and to quote John Cleese, ‘What else do you expect to see out of a Torquay hotel window! Herds of wildebeest sweeping majestically...

The thing about having a running buddy (and in my case he’s my husband) is it’s perfectly fine when they run slower than you or at your pace . Problems arise when you go off the boil or as in my case he just takes to it like a duck to Chinese...

I had an enforced break from running in the weeks up to and during Christmas due to mad work commitments which meant I was away from home from 7.30am till gone midnight for 6 days in a row. Not what I needed when I had done no Christmas shopping and...

It's funny to think that only a year ago things were quite different for me. I was overweight, unfit and had a very low energy level. I would find it took herculean effort to get out of bed on those dark winter mornings and simply function. I had...

I’ve had one of those weeks when the running has not come easy enough. I think I may have momentarily lost my running ‘mojo’. This is down to a number of factors; Olympics, weather, distance and demands on an ever ageing body and mind...

Does anyone else get bored to tears with running the same old routes? I know I do. Last week I took the step to increase the distance I am training for from 5k to 10k as I am running a 10k race in March. This means doing longer runs. I fiddled about with...

Is anyone else running to the shops? I know that running can be a cheap sport; some good running shoes, trackies and a t shirt is really all that you require. There are no membership fees, no direct debits...however I have been scanning my ever growing...

Half term has been very challenging. There have been far too many nice things in the fridge to eat and plenty of distractions. After my triumph at running such a great PB for the 5k race last week, I have been walking on air. Shame I've not been running...

This week was hijacked by my preparations for the ShockAbsorber Women Only 5k Run in Richmond Park. I found I was more nervous about it than I had imagined. I took it easy with the training runs though and I felt a bit down on Thursday as I was out on...

The Timex Ironman (pink version) watch is now coming into its own. I have finally got around to reading the tiny instructions and found out how to time splits, no not like the ones that wrecked my hamstring (see 'Breast support, hamstrings and swimming'...

The best thing about this week is getting into size 10 jeans - something I have not achieved for 17 years and the second best thing is that I ran my fastest mile time also (though not in said jeans). My husband was with me - so I guess this does not count...

Sometimes I don't feel very serious in bright pink running tops and trainers, I feel I am being frivolous and running is positively joyful and pleasurable. Other days running feels deadly serious, like something I absolutely have to do. Running thoughts...

All I can say is 'Wow!' - get yourself a sports injury expert! After just two sessions my hamstring is absolutely miles better and I can run again. I need to take it easy so I am going to follow the Running Bug's 5K beginner's training...

Having been very, very good for almost 3 months, it's time to have a reward. I gave up coffee, which was one of the things that started me on the quest to get fit. I found I was drinking up to ten cups of coffee a day with two sugars - that's...

Forget getting fit, I just want to get into my clothes… that was my motivation when I took up the running challenge at the beginning of July. For some peculiar reason I had put on two stones in as many months, overeating obviously but it was as...