"Running is the greatest metaphor for life, because you get out of it what you put into it" Oprah Winfrey

I have never been athletically gifted.  I come from a reasonably sporty family, with golf and football being the main focus, but slogging my guts out on a pitch or, to be honest, spending 90 minutes watching other people slogging their guts out on a pitch has never appealed to me. 

Getting fit has long been an ambition of mine, and other than a couple of half heated Body Attack classes last year, I've never really done anything about it. Fuelled by the motivation of Christmas weight gain, I signed up for the Garioch Couch to 5k running classes along with two of my equally unfit pals.

The classes run every Saturday morning at 9.30am from the Garioch Sports Centre and consist of a run/walk programme.  The aim is to get you running for 30 minute solidly which is the equivalent of a 5k...apparently!

I donned my leggings, Hubs' football training top, a hoodie, under armour and a woolly hat to being my first session on one of the coldest days we've had this winter! We began with a two minute walk, followed by intervals of 30 seconds running, and two minutes walking.  I have absolutely no stamina and managed this fine, as did most of the group. 

I was so inspired that I purchased a stop watch so I could  continue the training outwith the group, and a fleecy headband to keep my ears cosy.

I was a little sore the following morning, but this was predominantly my arms as I was so tense from the cold. My sister-in-law (sista!) gave me a handy little tip - when you run pretend you are holding two pringles, this will stop you from clenching!

I am planning to try to get out running/walking three times per week - with the aim of running the Garioch 5k in March. More information here... http://www.rungarioch.co.uk/