I started Couch to 5K in October after being terrified of exercise my whole life. Those first few weeks, I struggled to run for 30 seconds. Although I hated every moment afterwards, I felt great and so kept going.

In January, I graduated Couch to 5K — I was last but the whole team was there at the end. I smiled all the way home. The natural next step was a 10K and our next town of Shrewsbury had one with an awesome medal so I signed up along with lots of running friends.

It was a super tough route with hills and more hills, but as I had been training to run chatty, that’s what me and my buddy Jayne did. We were at the back chatting away, enjoying the scenery and I distracted myself with Facebook lives.

From 9K, I was so excited to get to the finish and see my daughter who was there waiting to cheer me in. The finish line was in sight and I sprinted home to the arms of friends and my daughter.

I’ve never felt so badass and proud in all my life.

I absolutely could not have done any of this without my good running buddy Jane. We encourage each other, she lets me rant and sigh, she helps me just that bit further. She’s a truly kind and inspiration lady.

I’m sure my friends and family are sick of me harking about the benefits of running. I haven’t had an ounce of anxiety since I started. I feel so accomplished and looking for the next challenge which is a half marathon by end of the year.

Running has changed my life.