I started my running journey following the C25k programme on a treadmill in my lounge. I was always the PE dodger at school- I had a permanent note from my mum to excuse me from the PE sessions - cross country was the worst! From the treadmill I progressed to running out in public - and no one laughed. I found that rather enjoyed running round the town two or three times a week. I was always on my own. I became more brave and went to my first parkrun - it was a very welcoming experience - the parkrunners welcomed me into their community. I made a friend and we regularly run together. Things have a habit of escalating and at the very end of August 2019 I ran in my first race - a Twilight 10k. I found myself running a half marathon by the Christmas and suddenly it appeared that I was entered into a marathon in May 2020 and then Covid struck and all racing was off. This took me out onto the trails of my local area and also meeting up with my weekend running partner. We go on 'runventures' around the local countryside. I realised the benefit of these runs, and how, in a world of chaos and uncertainty, running has brought me peace of mind and a chance to escape from the stresses of lockdowns and not seeing friends and family. I often leave the house with a head full of emotional junk and stress - once the trainers are on and I set off on my run that all melts away and I come home feeling uplifted. I completed my first marathon and ultramarathon(50k) in 2021. January 2022 saw me complete 48.6 miles in the Peddars Way Ultra. Now it is time for me to give something back to running - the creation of Pegnut Plodders - a group for anyone who wants to run and meet new people to share the journey.