Week three of Couch to 5K, and I’m still going — and, actually, I'm even looking forward to the next run. Who would have thought?

It’s been about three years since I last ran. Back then, I took on the Beachy Head Marathon - though “ran” might be a generous word for it.  It was more of a jog… then a walk… then a hobble to the finish line. After that, I chucked away my trainers and didn’t run again. Until now.

I’m not planning on doing another marathon. In fact, I doubt I’ll be signing up for a half, or even a Parkrun. That kind of running just isn’t my thing. But I am enjoying this - getting out early with the dog, headphones in, listening to Jo Whiley encouraging me along the way, and watching the world wake up. There’s something grounding about it.

The Couch to 5K programme is perfect for me right now. It doesn’t push too hard; it’s about gentle, achievable progress - one small step at a time. And that’s very much how I approach things through Solution Focused Hypnotherapy too. We don’t dwell on what’s gone wrong or what feels too big. Instead, we focus on what’s going right — the little improvements, the shifts in mood, the positive changes we start to notice when we give our brains the right messages.

When I run, I can feel that same process at work. I’m training both body and mind to build confidence and resilience. Each run is a reminder that change doesn’t have to be dramatic or forced - it can be quiet, consistent, and sustainable.

Even after just a few weeks, I’m noticing the benefits: clearer head, better sleep, more energy, and that subtle sense of pride that comes from doing something for myself. Tiny steps, but meaningful ones - exactly what builds lasting change.

So no medals, no pressure, no need for a finish line this time around. Just me, the dog, the morning air, and that calm feeling that comes from moving forward - physically, and mentally.