These pages will never be about perfection or inspiration, I’m just not wired that way. But I do feel happy sharing some things that worked for me. And I feel I can’t go much further without talking about running.
Running wasn’t something I planned. It began, almost accidentally, with a single 60-second run three years ago, and somehow became one of my foundations for feeling good.
I am not a runner
But just over three years ago, two things happened.
In August 2022, I finally read Atomic Habits as my holiday read in a caravan in Devon. A few weeks later, my youngest child started high school.
Not really related, but somehow, freakishly, perfect timing.
While reading, a few things started to really hit (or stick?), whichever or both actually. For years, I’d questioned my lack of motivation, my inability to make better choices, or more importantly, to stick to them. I used to look at others with absolute awe, perhaps assuming their talent was something they were simply born with. It never really occurred to me that what I was admiring wasn’t luck or natural ability, it was the result of consistent effort and discipline.
That book (yes, that much-mentioned one) lit something in me. Even though I’ve always had a strong work ethic, I found myself constantly admiring people who seemed effortlessly motivated and consistent. In contrast, I can see now that I’ve struggled to prioritise the time I needed to make to the things I needed for me. I took gratification from helping others; whether it was work, family, or friends in need, they would always be welcome to my time. But I never built the habit of doing things just because I needed or wanted to. It wasn’t a conscious decision; it never crossed my mind.
And that was the realisation: maybe it wasn’t motivation I was missing. Maybe it was habits.
A few weeks later, for the first time in 14 years, I wasn’t doing the school run or childminder drop-off. I was working from home much more, which meant no long commute each day. Suddenly I had time in the morning; time I could make mine.
So on the morning of 6th September 2022, I went for a 20-minute walk. I have to call it a walk because that’s what most of it was. I walked, listened to a playlist, sang in my head. Walking, just walking with no destination, no purpose. Occasionally I felt like a much younger version of myself. Every time the lovely lady on the app said to run, I ran. For 60 seconds at a time.
Fuck. Sixty seconds felt long.
The next day was the same. And the next. Then it was 90 seconds, and I remember thinking how long that felt, and how impossible and scary three minutes sounded. But I just kept going.
Just turning up, prioritising this thing I wanted.
Every day; playlist made, trainers on, AirPods in, following the instructions from the lovely lady on the app.
On 12th March 2023, seven months after that first 60-second run, I ran a half marathon. Two hours and 23 minutes of running.
I’m not writing this because it’s a huge achievement in the grand scheme of things. Millions of people do it every year. It’s not special in that way.
But it was huge for me.
I did something I’d never believed I would ever do.
And here’s what I learnt:
- Be realistic. Find a time that actually works.
- Be prepared. Get your running clothes ready in advance.
- Be ruthless. Tell yourself you have to show up — especially when it’s new.
- Celebrate tiny wins. They’re the reason to do this.
All it really came down to was this: putting one foot in front of the other, and breathing.
So here I am. Three years on, just turned 50 and training for my third half marathon. After a 2025 where inconsistency was the only constant, I’m writing this as a reminder to myself of what’s possible.
I feel better after every run, even the slow ones, the short ones, the ones where I walk. It always feels better after.
That’s a good enough reason to go.
Like I said — I’m not a runner.
But that doesn’t stop me running.