A little portly, fairly slow and running to be slightly less of both.

I started running with five minutes on a treadmill, then gradually worked up to 10k and from there to half marathons. I've now done five of the buggers, to the amazement of friends, family and myself. I am now training for my first ever marathon in Paris, with the aim of finishing and enjoying it. I don't think I've ever thought of myself as the sort of person who would enjoy marathon training, but I am.

When I finish my first marathon, I think it'll be time to try and work on my speed. I promise.

Update May 2012: well, I kept my promise, eventually! Went on a big diet/running/exercise regime in 2011 to combat my weight issues (which I wrote about in the Guardian - read here if you like! guardian.co.uk

Since then I've had big PBs in the Marathon, half, 10k and 5k. More importantly I just enjoy running more. It amazes me what my body can do, given half a chance. Now I have two aims- to improve by staying fit, running better and keeping weight down, and just as importantly to keep the enthusiasm for exercise- so I might try a few different sorts of events, like small events, trail events and, over the summer some short, painful races!