IT has been a long, hard road, but this week, I went for a run on my own for the first time in nearly two years. I managed just under two miles. I am buzzing.

I started running 10 years ago, encouraged by a dear friend who had successfully completed a couch to 5k programme herself.

I signed up, very nearly didn’t get out of the car on the first night, but caught a glimpse of my friend, and her friendly face and big smile convinced me to feel the fear and do it anyway.

Through that couch to 5k, I proved to myself that I can take on new challenges, and become stronger for it.

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My 21-year-old self would laugh off the idea that she would ever run for fun, never mind complete a half marathon and countless 10ks, particularly in her 40s.

I haven’t truly got back into exercise or making time for it, for me, since I had my little girl, six and half years ago.

I regularly joke that she gained whatever core strength I had, and now she is as strong as an ox. Ironically, she runs everywhere,........

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