Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton

There were times when, to my shame, I used to smile, if not quite smirk, at overheard grandparents’ conversations in which they congratulated themselves on still being able to run a rounder or throw a cartwheel.

I never pictured my grandparenting years with the body as it has turned out to be. I saw myself running, riding bikes, yomping the beaches, scrambling the scree with my children’s’ children.

The reality has turned out to be utterly different. I am lucky…incredibly lucky that my fight has not been with invasive disease or life threatening conditions so far.

Mine has been a more pervasive than invasive problem. One not easily noticed by those who gently chide me for not making the effort, or who, less gently perceive me as a couch potato by nature.

Recently I was very hurt by a throw away comment suggesting that mine has never been an active life…until I realised that this person had never known the other me…the one which trained in PE, swam, played tennis, excelled at volleyball…one who could take their body and core fitness and athletic abilities utterly for granted.

I vowed to turn hurt feelings into a call to action. Over twelve years of living with fatigue and neuropathic pain I have learned to manage. Now I promised myself to go one step further…to cope better.

This week I rooted out my old trainers and took my first hesitant steps towards running my first mile. I was urged onwards by an article which screamed at me from a magazine…that prompt which seems to turn up at exactly the right moment so often in life.

To learn more I went to https://www.runnersworld.co.uk/training/beginners/4-week-pre-plan-programme-for-new-runners

The plan…or pre-plan plan seemed one that I could attempt so, telling no-one, not even my dearest, my nearest, I have embarked on my first steps to my first mile.

And I feel pretty damn good!

You must realise that this is still my secret. Fear of failure has trodden on my heels all my life and I am no different now so I am telling no-one, present company excluded.

If you would like to walk with me a while…come on in….