My hardest ever run

So, yeah, running is my thing.

Well, actually, I have several 'things' that I like to partake in: weight training, hillwalking, zumba, and (soon) swimming.

But running... I have a special place in my heart for running. It was the sport that got the cogs moving in the first place, and while I may go and flirt with other forms of exercise, I fear I will be a loyal runner 'til the end.

I may not be the fastest, I may not run the longest; but by jingo I love it. There's just something about pounding the pavement with nothing but my own thoughts for company that really appeals to me. Its like an odd kind of meditation.

But it wasn't always like this. It shames me to say, but this time last year I was anything but a runner. This time last year, I was a stressed out student, working all hours crouched over my laptop and with an empty tub of Ben and Jerry's at my feet.

I don't quite know what happened or how I got there, but I ended up on the NHS's Couch to 5K website. The C25K plan is a great programme designed to get total novices running for 30 minutes straight in nine weeks. If you're still looking to make that first step, I highly recommend it.

The first session is incredibly easygoing: 60 seconds jogging followed by 90 seconds walking, repeated for 20 minutes. In fact, it sounded so easy that it kind of lulled me into a false sense of security.

Well, once I had done the maths in my head, I realised that I would only be running for a grand total of eight minutes. The whole session, including warm ups and cool downs, was 30 minutes long, so technically it was more of a walk than a run.

I’ll admit, I was feeling a little cocky when I set out. I put the podcast on and started walking. I had planned my route before I left, which took me through the park merely a two minute walk from my flat.

Soon enough, the warm up was over. It was time to start running. The narrator warned me not to go too fast, as I might get tired and feel defeated. Yeah, right. 60 seconds of running? I think I can handle it.

The music switched from a relaxed pace to an upbeat boppy tune. I started jogging.

See? This is fine. I feel alright. This isn’t... too bad... Well... maybe... a... little... OH GOD I THINK MY LUNGS ARE ON FIRE!

I think I had run for about 15 seconds and already I was regretting my speed.

I slowed down to a snail’s pace and yet I was still gasping for breath. My heart was beating so hard I was scared it was going to burst right out of my chest.

After what felt like a lifetime the music stepped back down, and I stumbled to a halt.

Holy shit. That was rough. Was that only one minute? It felt like twenty.

I started to plod forwards. The podcast wanted me to move at a “brisk pace”, but to be honest I was surprised that I was able to stay upright. I’m only 22! How could I possibly be this unfit?! I had barely recovered when it was time to start running again.

I upped my pace, reluctantly, and tried to block out the unbearable pain that my body was screaming at me until I could start walking again.

When the sixty seconds was over, I started wandering on again, gasping for breath.

There was no way this could get any worse.

Unfortunately, when planning my route, I forgot to check the elevation stats.

I walked around the corner, looked up, and gave out a cry of desperation.

I was standing at the foot of a massive hill.

There was no way I could run up this thing. I took my iPod out of my pocket, and paused the podcast.

It only took me a minute or two to climb up the hill, but boy, it was tough. I took another minute to catch my breath back when I reached the summit and put the podcast back on.

I don’t know whether it was the amazing view or the relief from getting to the top of the hill, but I suddenly felt much, much better. The rest of the session was still a struggle, but I started to feel a lot more positive.

I started to notice my surroundings - they were stunning. The sun was beating down on my neck and I was running alongside a gorgeous castle that I had never seen up close before.

The rest of the session flew by and before I knew it, I was done. I felt on top of the world. I had really achieved something, and I had a gut feeling that the hardest part was already over.

And I was totally right.