Running for me is mostly a solitary game. I like waking up on a Sunday morning, having a lazy long lie, a lazy breakfast and a lazy jog along the Parkland Walk near my house. This year has marked a bit of a departure for me as a runner: now I’m regularly involving other people in my running, travelling with me/letting me visit for runs, having friends running alongside me and even blogging about my escapades in a public forum.

As I have shared, this year has also been quite a hard one on my physical and mental health, and I wanted to write a post to thank my support team, who’ve got me through and kept me on track in my resolution and in my life:

David and Fran, my housemates, have been both friends and family to me since I moved in with them last year. Secretly inspiring me with their commitment to badminton, I feel guilty if I haven’t been for a run in a while. As well as countless meals, drinks, heart-to-hearts, belly-laughs and good times.

The next members of my London family are my wonderful work friends, Catherine and Lisa,

These girls are my Monday to Friday, 9 to 5pm, and give me a whole lot more time besides. I am so lucky to have found a job I enjoy, with colleagues I can call good friends. Many an encouraging word and text have gone between us three, thanks girls!

Claire and Sarah are a mix of old and new friends in one, and together we’ve gotten through more bags of crisps and white wine than is entirely healthy. They’ve cooked me more hot dinners than I can shake a salt-shaker at and are great at late night shift chat- every girl needs a friend on night shift to call sometimes.

This lady is technically not London family, but Amanda has been the patient recipient of many a phonecall and has an incredible make-up collection to borrow from. And she’s aka. Geraldine.

 Another hybrid, dear Lydia has been housemate and friend to me over many a year. She also cooks me hot dinners. There’s a theme here. We’ve been up, we’ve been down; we’ve been around and about; Scotland, England; north, south and saaf. Long may it continue.

So, London family, take a bow and take it from me- I couldn’t have done it without y’all.