When someone in my office suggested we all do the Newcastle Stampede, I thought it looked like an exciting challenge. I enjoyed boot camp classes at the gym - so the military obstacle aspect of things appealed - but wasn't a runner, at all. Ten kilometres sounded like a demanding but somewhat achievable goal... until I actually put on my trainers and left the house one morning. With aching shins, wobbly knees and a killer stitch, I suddenly began to question what I had committed myself to. 

I worked my way through the 'Couch to 5K' program and then decided that every time I went for a run, I was going to run further than I had the time before. I steadily but surely morphed into a REAL RUNNER: I became a devoted MapMyRun user and got myself some snazzy shoes fitted. I now sometimes even share a knowing nod with other runners when I pass them. Yeahhhh I do. 

In the end, no one else in my office entered the Newcastle Stampede, so I'm going it alone. Eight weeks ago I couldn't run a kilometre without stopping, and now I'm going to run 10 and crawl through a lot of mud along the way. So you should sponsor me :-)