Spring in her steps

It's officially Spring today and the sun is shining on Nottingham. There is nothing to stop us all taking to the streets in a communal jog! But why do so many women I talk to hate running? Were they discouraged for life by bleak lessons on the school's athletics track or persuaded that, in evolutionary terms, their place is in the cave?

I would have agreed with them back in December when a fire-side nap was far preferable to a 20 minute jog round Ruddington - but I'm a convert having decided to run the Robin Hood Half Marathon in September. I have managed several late evening outings, taking in the sights and sounds of near-empty streets and can manage a steady jogging pace for most of the distance. Little triumphs help as I try to shape-up this Spring.

It probably helps that I have given up alcohol and am pledging the money I would have spent to the Teso Development Trust, a Christian charity involved in development and relief work in NE Uganda. My meager efforts will help to raise the roof on a school building in Soroti - a great reason to keep up my training in the coming weeks. Find out more at www.teso.org.uk

Bravissimo - thanks for your support!

I guess I have to come clean and admit to having felt a bit uncomfy up-front whilst jogging recently. When I was invited to attend a Smart Women's networking event at Bravissimo Nottingham http://www.womengetsmart.co.uk/about/networkingatbravissimo I decided to ask if they could help! Last night I joined nearly 100 of Nottingham's cheeriest business women for the 'Bubbly and Bras' get-together.

What a wonderful team they are on Pelham Street. Not only did they agree to sponsor me a sports bra, but had me professionally fitted by well-trained Jackie and sorted me out in no time. I did proceed to buy three other bras which just goes to show what great marketeers they are too at http://www.bravissimo.com/.

Now I just need to get in better shape for the 5K run around Victoria Embankment on Sunday 29th March from 11am www.trentfm.co.uk

It should be a more comfortable experience in one sense of the word!