I would describe my relationship with running as something I wanted to be good but we never actually liked each other when I tried it!

I completed the Great North Run in 2013 and hated every step of the training and the run - I resigned to the fact it was off the bucket list and I never needed to run again - happy times!

Over the last few years I commited to the gym finding my fitness levels improving but never dabbled with running, finding this was still the area of my fitness I needed to master.

Alison started the St Cuthbert's chapmpions and I told everyone there was no way I was joining in....... until one wednesday lunch time..... I hadn't been able to get to the gym that day and they were only on week 3 so I thought 'I can manage that, I will join them just for this week'. Once they got me they wouldn't let me leave, but I actually found I was starting to enjoy it! As the weeks went on running times were increasing and I could feel myself improving. For a homework run I was in Manchester and didn't know a safe route so decided to do a Parkrun as my 'homeowrk', I got hooked - I managed to run it all even though I wasn't up to that stage yet and I loved the concept.

Thanks to my work friend Judy I became a Parkrun regular. I completed the couch to 5k programme with the St Cuthbert's Champions and continued with Parkrun - I could see my time getting a little faster and I set myself a goal of getting to be under 30 minutes, somthing that I never thought I would be able to do before I started couch to 5k..... guess what - I DID IT!!

Alison had a waiting list for another couch to 5k group to start but unfortuantely injured her knee meaning the St Cuthbert's Champions had no run leader- I volunteered. I NEVER thought I would do this however I enjoyed it so much and was so thankful to the group I ran with that I wanted to give others a chance I had been given.

So if like me you think running is not for you - come and join us - you never know!!