I’ve never considered myself a runner but perhaps it’s time to review this. Before the Lockdown I was running intermittently, there was no pattern or commitment and I could only run about 1 mile.

But everything changed at the start of the Lockdown when the Government was encouraging us to take outside exercise once a day. So that’s when I decided to take up running as a hobby. It was strange running through the empty streets, it was like a ghost town, no people, no cars on the roads, no long waits for the traffic to clear before crossing the road. From that first run, it felt good to move, to fill my lungs with fresh air, uncontaminated with petrol fumes. This was going to work for me.

My first jog was on 24/3, from then on I ran most days, just a mile and a half and usually along the Ipswich Waterfront. After 21 runs in March and April, I decided to step it up for May and came up with the idea of running a Marathon, 2.6 miles a day for 10 runs. I had another reason to run too, Jo Revitt from the Papworth Trust was looking for people to raise money for her charity.

So that’s what I did. Some days it was a struggle to run, I felt like I was as slow as a snail, that extra mile was a challenge. The very last 2.6 miles was so different, I had a spring in my step, I ran faster than normal and I even managed to raise £136 for the Papworth Trust. Thanks to everyone who supported me.

It’s now 12 weeks since the Lockdown and the Government has lifted some restrictions so that we can now exercise as many times as we want during the day. But that’s coincided with fewer runs, Marathon Burnout!!

But on Sunday I went out with my son on a Slow Burn 8 mile run around Alton Waters.

I’ve walked around the reservoir many times getting blisters on my feet. But the Slow Burn run didn't hurt my feet at all, I felt invigorated after running using this method. This is how it works, you walk 15 minutes, you run 15 minutes, you walk 15 minutes, you run 30 minutes, you walk 15 minutes, you run 45 minutes and you run slowly but you always keep moving.

Stu Mittleman, the creator of this method, is the man who ran 1000 miles in less than 12 days and holds the American record for distance in six days — 577 miles.

I love Stu’s mantra

Focus on results and you won’t change. Focus on change and you’ll get results

When you run slow you burn fat, when you run fast you burn carbohydrates. My son has read Stu Mittleman’s book, Slow Burn and while we were running he shared anecdotes from the book, like imagine there's an invisible thread running through your spine to the top of your head, keeping you upright.

Just before we started the timer for the 45-minute run, I felt a sense of dread. I’ve never run for that long before. I managed to push those negative thoughts out of my mind and began the longest run of my life. And yes, we both did it!

Reflecting on that experience out in nature for over 2 hours, with cool but dry weather, lush green vegetation, scents in the air from pine trees, thyme plants and white hawthorn bushes, was a wonderful adventure. We both enjoyed the practice so much that we plan to run around the reservoir next week. Could this turn into a weekly habit?

I am so glad I can run. It’s therapy, it’s physically rewarding, it's free and it’s always available. Running helps with overwhelming emotions too. Yesterday I was collecting songs for my radio show, 2 of my husband's friends sent me songs that he’d always enjoyed. I decided to lay on my back with my earphones turned up listening to Nantucket Sleighride by Mountain. It’s a long track over 9 minutes long and as the guitar solo kicked in I started crying, missing my husband so much, he died 3 years ago now but the pain is still there. With tears pouring down my face, I got up and decided to go for a run even though I had things to do later that evening, they could wait.

I'm so glad I took action, running was what my body and mind needed right then. It was wonderful, I felt like I was running past the emotion, leaving it behind. I was in charge of my life and by the time I arrived home, I felt tired but glowing. Running is brilliant for state change work, a lifesaver. I’m so happy I have running in my life.

Let me know what you have in your life that can lift your spirits, especially during these crazy Covid times.

#MyPrelovedLife : 12/6/20