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I started off this challenge thinking WHY AM I DOING THIS? I HATE RUNNING! To be honest, I just don't run anywhere. Walk fast yes, but run? A very definite NO. It has just never appealed to me. So I am going to force myself to do this, after all, there are so many benefits you gain from running and I want a healthy, strong body. Plus, thinking about it, running is something you can do when it suits you, and other than a good pair of running trainers and whatever you choose to wear, it shouldn't cost you anything…and you can do it anywhere!

At the moment, the programme is only about 25 minutes long but it is surprising how difficult it is to fit 25 minutes of running into your day. Is that me? Or is it just an excuse? Things like 'I have just eaten' or 'I'll just wait for this machine load of washing to finish and then I'll do it' go through my mind. But I have made a commitment to do this, and I fully intend to complete this challenge.

I did my first run with one of my best friends, Maz. She is going to do this with me and we plan to run together once a week as much as possible. It was great doing the run (although to be honest there was more fast walking than running involved) and we encouraged each other, and had a good old chat along the way. Afterwards we went for lunch!

I have also done the couch to 5K in the gym on a treadmill. I quite liked doing this too but I wasn't a fan of the big mirror in front of me! I spent most of the time looking at the info on the treadmill.

Melting in heat and humidity on the first run of week 4 - but look at that blue sky!

And there have been a few times I have gone running by myself. This I didn't particularly enjoy to start with, but now I am enjoying it more.

I started with the encouraging words from Jo Whiley on my app, and have just (for no reason at all) switched to Sarah Millican - expecting to hear some jokes along the way! Although there are no jokes, both Jo and Sarah keep me going - especially when they are counting down!

By week 3, I was enjoying the whole process a lot more, and actually looking forward to my run later in the day. Sometimes I feel so enthused whilst running, I want to carry on, but I remember being told to stick to the C25K rules to avoid injury.

Now I have run in all weathers - from dull conditions, to monsoons, to sunny and hot and humid. Not so keen on the high humidity. I drink gallons of water in those conditions. The nice thing about this too is, when I am sent away with work, I can still keep up with C25K. Recently I had the pleasure of visiting Suffolk for an Outside Broadcast for Â鶹Éç Breakfast with Springwatch. The countryside was stunnig and I probably saw more of it because I took my gear and went for a run.

I am about to embark on week 5. Each week gets just a little bit tougher but not so tough or so long that it puts me off doing it.
In fact, and I cannot believe I am actually saying this, I am becoming hooked!!

Will keep you updated of my progress as I continue this challenge.

What is your age?

54

Where are you from?

London (via Morar in the Highlands of Scotland)

I hope make your move will allow me to...

...to gain my fitness and strength back and to really develop a run for running.

It’s so easy just to go home from work, sit down, eat something maybe have a glass of wine, watch telly and do absolutely nothing else and that’s when I start to pile on weight so I want that to go. Andy also, in the summer, I want to be able to wear clothes that I want to wear because I like them not because I want to try and hide bits of my body that I’m not quite so keen on.

Top 3 work out songs?

1. by - Anything by Bryan Adams! I love him. This track is a really good get up and go one.
2. by - If I had to move away from Bryan Adams, I'd choose this one. It’s got a good undercurrent where you can really move everything and wiggle around a bit.
3. by - I’d choose this as my cool down because I’m a born romantic and I just like to relax to that song.

What is your motivational mantra?

I'm going to tell myself "Think how good you are going to look when you are toned and you have strength in your body and you’re going to feel so much better". I can see my goal in sight and I have every intention of achieving it.

Keep up with Carol and how she is getting on with her Couch to 5K challenge at #MakeYourMove on , and .