I had no bones, no muscles, no will.

My carcass, a great mass weighing heavy was holding me immobile. Gravity and the mattress colluding to keep me in bed’s comforting embrace.

My mind was completely clear of sleep but my body was drained. Still laying on my back I managed to reach my leggings and socks and pull them on.

Knowing that it’s half term, and during the week it will be an effort to get more that two miles in each day, I had told my beloved I’d be up for four miles today, my second of the weekend. I have since realised that I can’t trust decisions I make while horizontal.

I rolled onto my stomach and as my cheek made good friends with the sheet I argued myself into my knees. Tearing the now best chums apart I forced myself upright. I know my beloved would relent and allow me a shorter run but the thought of letting him down was the push I needed this morning to get me out. It’s true that you need to keep fit, lose weight and achieve goals, primarily for yourself and I think I am, but sometimes having someone next to me is the extra nudge I need and that look of pride in his eyes and loving whisper in my ear fills me with grit to keep going. Thank you my beloved.

Once I was out, the run was Okay. I settled into it after a few yards and at a slow but steady pace my lethargic legs got the first mile out of the way. The rest was actually fun. The rhododendrons are in full flower in the woods and the weather was a little cooler than yesterday all of which contributed to a relaxing jaunt through the trees. It’s quite remarkable but I still enjoy running.

Sitting here writing this my bum aches in an oddly pleasant way, my calves are grumbling and my left achilles has just started to burn a little but I have no regrets.

This is entirely achievable, stay positive. Now I must stretch.

Shelley