I have never, ever, EVER seen the point in running. Way back when I was at school and we were forced to do cross country in our fetching green sports pants with two white stripes down the sides I was always, without fail 165th out of 167. I hated it. With a passion. As a grown up I have toyed with the idea of exercise. I mean, I know I should do it, but quite frankly I have better things to do with my time. Like eat kettle chips and drink wine.

I officially declared 2011 the Year of Getting Me Back, and I have to say it has gone swimmingly (sporting pun not intended) so far. I have gone back to work, finished breastfeeding, even gone out with friends and been able to wallow in a hangover the next day. Magic.

There was one thing bothering me though: the fact that the kettle chips and wine were finally catching up with me. I have always been a size 10 (please don’t hate me) but it had got to a point where I was probably more a 12, sometimes a 14. I know that’s not big, but I have always had a bit of an issue with my body size, and it wasn’t where I wanted to be. I knew something had to be done (i.e. exercise) but I had difficulty finding a way of doing something that didn’t break me after a full time job and two small people had had a go first. I tried using my Personal Challenge as a means of motivating myself to do more, but even that cunning plan didn’t work.

On the 23rd of August, a mere seven and a half weeks ago, I took the advice of Kirsty and downloaded Get Running (a couch to 5k app for my phone). I immediately went for a run and was very proud of myself.

When I told Mr TOPP, and asked if he was impressed, he told me he’d be impressed when I had been for my third run. Sounds harsh, but after seventeen years together he has seen me join umpteen gyms only to then watch while I sit on my arse instead.

Bert learned everything he knew from me.

Somehow, though, this time has been different. I stuck with it, and after three runs Mr TOPP was duly impressed and I was starting to enjoy my thrice weekly run. I even brought myself proper running gear, including a very fetching hi-vi vest.

I have religiously stuck to the running programme set by my phone. The lovely lady (who I feel should have a name) tells me when to start running, when to stop, and how well I am doing in between times.

And today, before I have even finished my app (I still have two weeks to go) I ran a 5km race. Last week I ran the furthest I had ever run (2.75 miles) so wasn’t entirely sure I’d make it around the whole course. I didn’t have a target time, I just wanted to run the whole way.

And do you know what?

I ONLY WENT AND DID IT!!!!

Mr TOPP and the M’s came along to cheer me on. They stood on a part of the course we had to run three times, and I swear every time I  heard “Go Mummy!” I ran a little bit faster. My official time was 30:51, which I haven’t stopped grinning about all day.

I think I may actually like running after all. Who’d have thunk it?