Most of you will know from my history that I struggle with keeping active, due to SPD through pregnancy. But fitness is something that I believe is important, for myself and the family. So when we were invited to take part in the Great Scottish Run family mile, it became something to work towards as a family and get my from coach potato to back to regular activity again.

The kids are already largely active, through school and nursery. But I work from home and so most days I can do under 200 steps (yep, 2-0-0). It’s a hard balance between getting enough of the right exercise… One that doesn’t aggravate my back, but one that builds muscle in the right areas to support my recovery. It’s sounds silly to say, but most people are training for marathons and 10K’s and here was me training for a mile. But everyone is different and everyone has their own struggles and abilities. I very much doubt I will ever run any great distance, but to take part in a mile run with the family really spurred me on to at least make it round.

Thankfully I went with Maisie, who’s running pace matched my walking pace, because after running the first 100M, I could hardly breathe. I don’t know how people break that barrier… Or how people can stand the sensation of their organs shaking about in their body. Maybe that just shows the muscle condition (or lack of) that I have.

Scott and Liv ran off into the distance and really took the competitive side of the event to heart, but for me I wanted to prove something to myself and my kids that inner strength, determination and grit can get you through.

The whole experience on the day was great and it was good to see there being races for all levels. I personally feel intimidated by the main races, but the family race was taken part by all ages, abilities… even babies in pushchairs. The competitive side was parked to one side and it became more about being active together, which is something that I am onboard with. There a lot to be said for ‘having a go’ and enjoying it anyway.

Huge thanks to The Great Scottish Run family for having us there on the day and showing me another side to keeping active that we can all enjoy.

You can register for the 2020 run here.

Disclosure: This was a collaboration with The Great Scottish Run, but all fun, sweat, stitches and achy muscles are 100% genuine.