Six years ago I started to attend Bootcamp with my daughter and her friend for a laugh, had I known it would involve running I wouldn't have gone as I’m not a runner nor am I built for running. However as Bootcamp was different every session and you never what the program of the day would be, I carried on attending. My ambition was to complete a warm up run round the whole of the rugby pitch whilst chatting with fellow runners and I surprised myself that I was soon able to do this. Before long my daugheter dropped out of Bootcamp as she didn’t like the rain or snow or taking part in Tough Mudders which I loved. Her friend who is thirty years younger than me suggested that I should train for the Manchester Half Marathon with her and I thought “Yeah, that sounds like a great idea.. not!”

However, I do like a challenge and I started following a training plan. I went on run the Manchester Half Marathon in October 2018. All I wanted to do was finish before they removed the finish line. My time was 3 hours 2 minutes and I was absolutely chuffed to bits. I was so proud of myself for completing it. Then, because I no longer had a goal I didn't run any more.

In January 2020 I joined the MileShyClub Couch To 5K at Urmston which was led by the lovely Pamela Anderson. Pam encouraged me and the group not just to run but to talk as well (that bit wasn’t so hard!) and I completed the eight week plan. That March I ran my first ParkRun at Stretford and I absolutely loved it. Unfortunately lockdown hit shortly after which meant no running again for a while as I had to shield. A few months later MileShyClub arranged a Virtual C25K and I attended each session live along with another runner, Mags, who I had never met. I completed my second C25K programme but as we were not able to run together as a group I didn’t really carry on running much after that. January 2021 saw the start of another MileShyClub C25K and this time Amanda asked if there was anybody who wanted to buddy up as we were now allowed to run in pairs. I volunteered straight away as I looked forward to running again and having somebody else to talk to (she talks more than I do!) I really feel like MileshyClub got us both through lockdown.

When we were finally able to run as a group again it was amazing! Meeting up with Mags after all that time and having so many people to talk to. Running is so much more than times and PBs, it’s our time to counsel each other. I’m always at the back running slowly but I never walk and I always keep moving. I truly believe in MileShy’s “No one gets left behind” ethos and I will always do my best to help any new runners or those that are returning after absence that think that they can’t do it. They just need to run with me a couple of times and hear my stories as I have a story for everything.

Amanda, Mags and I recently trained for and completed the Manchester 10K and I’m trying my hardest to get them to say that they will do Manchester Half next year. Watch this space!

Meanwhile, if anybody ever wants to run with somebody but feels they are too slow they can come and find me right at the back and I’ll be there ready to chat!