My Couch to 5K efforts last year were less than successful. Life seemed to give me a plethora of opportunities to make excuses to not run. It was too dark in the mornings, too muddy, too wet, too icy, too slippery. Always a reason to put it off.

But the hardest reason for not starting again wasn't the weather. It was grief. I lost my most beautiful dog, Murphy to the angels.

I won't go into how special he was today. Perhaps another time I'll write about the very real grief that comes with losing a beloved animal, because it is real. Today, though, this is about beginning again.

Running now means treading the same paths Murphy and I used together. At first, this felt impossible. Every route held memories of us setting off together, him trotting happily ahead or stopping to investigate every interesting scent while I tried to keep moving. Those paths belonged to us.

Gradually, though, I've started to find a new purpose in the same actions. Before, I ran because I needed the exercise and Murphy needed his walk. Perfect. Now, those same routes have become a place to reflect, remember and, slowly, create new memories and purposes.

I'm really enjoying getting up before anyone else is awake. The quietness of the house whilst everyone else is still sleeping. The woods are alive with birds, the fields smell like hay and when I get to the heathland on the forest, the huge expanse of sky makes me want to fill my lungs with fresh, morning air.

Spending time outdoors, particularly among trees and green spaces, brings its own benefits. Research suggests that nature can help reduce cortisol, the hormone most closely associated with stress, helping us feel calmer, clearer and more present. Together, the movement, the fresh air and the natural world create a powerful combination

Exercise encourages the release of endorphins, our body's natural painkillers, along with serotonin and dopamine, the chemicals that help lift our mood, increase motivation and create a sense of wellbeing.. I finish each run feeling lighter, stronger, more energised and ready to take on the day.

One of the biggest surprises since starting Couch to 5K again, has been discovering that I didn't have to go right back to the beginning. Even after several months, my body remembered more than I expected. I hadn't lost everything, and it reminded me that progress isn't always erased by a pause. And that's true of life as well.

Sometimes starting again isn't about pretending nothing happened. It's about accepting that life has changed, carrying the memories with you and allowing them to become part of your journey rather than something that stops it.

Murphy won't be waiting for me on those morning runs anymore, and I'll always miss him. But I’m creating new pathways to joy. Sometimes I suppose the bravest thing we can do is simply begin again.