I "graduated". Or graduated, as I would say without the smirk, if I was American

Can't believe it. I finished the programme. And I think I can confidently say, that's the first time I've made a New Year/February resolution and stuck to it. Amazing.

I am amazing.

Next up, figure out the exact 5km distance, and then try to gradually improve my time.

Ooh, also, you can sponsor me here. Do it. You won't regret it.

W9D3 - I think I may have cracked it

I did not feel awful whilst I was running today, in fact, it fairly flew by.

This is possibly because:

- it was the evening and I'd had tea so had energy
- it was the evening so was cooler
- I was running slower (4.8km in 31 mins)

Dunno. But it was great.

(until I checked and saw my sister ran 5.6km in 25 mins today. Rats).

W9D1 - so freaking close

Well, by this time, I was pretty convinced each run would be a pleasure, and I'd be chatting to the animals, and doing that running/meditating thing. Instead, I am constantly thinking 'just get to the next lamp post'. Hardly Paula Radcliffe-esque.

Still, running 30 mins today is the longest I've ever run IN MY LIFE, and in theory, it should get easier from here on in. Right? It was 4.8km, so all being well, I'll be able to do the 5k in a reasonable amount of time.

Next stop: hills. Vom.

W8 D1. The one in which she finds out that running ain't cheap. At least not when she's involved

So, yes. Week 8. And also Week 7 - a bit of a bitch. I think it's because I've run all the flat routes I can in the 25 mins, so now the runs involve (very small) hills, which my body rebels against. It rebels in this very particular manner where I think I'm going to die, which is cute. Still, I'll get there. And soon, there will be sun, and that will be awesome.

But running being just a case of buying some running shoes and setting off? Bollocks. So far, I have invested in:

1. special running socks
2. running tracksuit bottoms
3. two breathable tops
4. one zip up top
5. one iPod arm band
6. one heart rate monitor that does not have a pedometer so I don't use
7. one audiobook for the iPod
8. one Nike+ sportsband
9. one pouch to hold Nike sensor on the shoe

We're looking at pushing £100 here, and that's without the £70 shoes. Still, marginally (not really) cheaper than a gym membership, right? And I get to have a shower all to myself after.

W6D3 - the end of that walking lark

From now on in, it's 25 minute or more runs. I did my first today, and for the first time, I felt like I had my breathing sorted, my pace right - everything just clicked. I reversed my route, which made it marginally more interesting, but I think I'm going to have to branch off that E Finchley route, even at the risk of running into demi-hills.

This is it. I think I can run. Holy fuck.

I kicked the fucking arse off that W5 20 minute run

That's the kind of thing that people write on the message board. I totally see why - I ran the last five minutes of that run thinking of all the people I could text to tell them I'd done it, and exactly how I'd phrase it on Twitter. (I didn't put it on though - is there anything more annoying than getting updates on people's fitness regimes? But I will. I'm getting ever more impressed with myself, and I'm very unlikely to continue being quiet about it).

Speaking of not being quiet about it - have I mentioned how completely productive running has made me? Up and running at 10am on a Sunday, followed by manic tidying, a Tesco trip, a birthday present buying trip, email sending, making lunch for the forth coming week - I'm like some kind of Stepford Wife on crack. And I drink less, thanks to the fact that I feel fucking awful if I try and run after a drink.

Ha ha, go me. I'm so awesome.

Hoo-boy. This week - totally terrifying

Run one: I run 5 minutes, walk 3, run 5, walk 3, run 5, walk.

Run two: Run 8, walk 5, run 8.

ARGH.

Run 3: Run 20. Seriously. 20.

It's not like I don't finish the runs at the moment thinking 'oh god, I really really think I'm going to die'. So, how exactly am I going to get through this 20 minute run? Hmmm? HMMMM?

Completely mystifyingly, the subsequent weeks don't involve as much running. Am I running to a typo? How can this be? What to do?

So. Many. Questions.