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This is TracyW's fifth report back - TheEd

It seems ages since I have had something positive to write about in my reports so this one is written with a great deal of pleasure.

I started on the 8k programme at the beginning of August with a bit of anxiety about the time and distance that I was going to have to progress to. I found that I was managing the 35 and 40 minute runs relatively well, I had the odd day of cramp but I have really had less of the problems I have had before. The body finally seemed to be adjusting to this onslaught it was going through. I also noticed that my breathing was getting better and that I was not feeling as out of breath on the little hills I have been doing.

I was going through the programme the one day to plan ahead when I noticed that I was due to run for 1 hour. Panic set in straight away, this was way beyond any time that I had ever run. The Editor and another running friend persuaded me that I could do it and guess what? I did! Probably one of the greatest feelings when I finished it. It left me feeling great all day.

The extra days and time made the legs a little achy but nothing that was unbearable, it was a good ache. I have found that I am also enjoying the longer runs more which is not what I expected. I feel that I am settling into my run after about 20 minutes and on the last 50 minute run that I did I felt that if I had the time, I would have had a drink of water at home and gone and done perhaps another half hour at least - getting very brave and perhaps addicted to this feeling.

Now to be honest I got to the last week of the programme and I have been stalling doing my 8k race. I wanted to feel more comfortable and make sure that I could cover the distance. The Ed has once again has been supportive and encouraging and after a little persuasion I am now scouting around for an event.

I have been trying to work out why I am so nervous about doing races and it is that age old fear from being a fat child and having to participate at school sports days, I always feared being the last one to finish. It is still haunting me, but like all the other obstacles, I will overcome it!

During this month with the extra running I thought my weight would come down more than it has but it is being rather stubborn. I have lost two kg's. However I have noticed a big change in my "shape". My mid riff is definitely flatter, the legs have gotten thinner mostly from the area above the knee's but also on the thighs. I have also noticed that my arms are thinner, so for now the fact that my weight is not plummeting is not worrying me that much, but I will have another consult with the nutritionist to discuss it with her.

The one great thing about the past month and a bit has been the great weather we are having. I much prefer the cooler weather in the mornings the average temperatures ranging from 10 to 15. Although saying that it is that little bit darker when getting up. Then again when I started running last year it was at the start of winter and I managed my way through winter quite well. I think because I over heat so much the cooler the weather the better for me.