We are enjoying some beautiful weather for April and for once it has coincided with a holiday weekend - well, a holiday for some, poor Phil is working 12 hour shifts on both Good Friday and Easter Sunday!

I have to admit, I spent a big chunk of Friday sat in the garden reading and enjoying the sunshine. Although I did get up early and go for a run first!

Running is a fairly new activity for me; I took it up about two months ago after chatting to a friend who had started running using an NHS programme of podcasts called "Couch 2 5K" - at that point she was on week 7 and running for about 20 minutes, which really impressed me! For some reason, I've always wanted to run but never managed to get anywhere - I'd run for 15 minutes and it would nearly kill me and I'd give up! i also wanted to get fitter for riding.

So off I went with the podcasts on my MP3 player and Laura as my in the ear mentor. On the first week you begin with a brisk 5-minute walk, then alternate 60 seconds of running and 90 seconds of walking, for a total of 20 minutes. Over the weeks you gradually build up to running for 30 minutes (and/or 5K) The first week was hard! But I felt a big sense of achievement and I kept going. Tomorrow I start week nine and I'm already running for 30 minutes although I'm not quite up to 5k distance yet. There wasn't one run I didn't complete!

I have found I really love running. I have a certain amount of tendon pain in my left ankle (the one I sprained!)but my stamina has increased hugely - it's only the discomfort that limits me now.

I'm planning on continuing to run 3 times a week, hopefully building up speed and distance and i'm also walking 2 miles in my lunch break 4 times a week.

The wedding season is approaching and we're meeting up with our couples. I must watch the royal wedding to get me in the mood!

Happy Easter everyone!