NICOLE REGAN embarks on the challenge of a lifetime as she dons her trainers and goes for a run

I DON'T do running. I think I last ran for a bus in 1992.

I remember skiving off cross country at school, trying to fob PE teachers Mrs Locke and Mrs Beasley (those names are imprinted on my soul), who shouted at us for going too slow.

To be frank, exercise has never really been my thing. I prefer cream cakes.

And yet, there are a group of women in Cockermouth who have changed my mind and, quite possibly, my life.

I don't know why I thought I'd give the running for beginners classes held by BodyFit, run by Sam Ayers,of Eaglesfield, a go.

But something made me want to.

I ummed and ahhed over it for ages and finally decided only days before to go for the 12-week course.

Monday night loomed. We were meeting at Cockermouth's Lakes Home Centre car park.

I was nervous - I've been to other beginners classes before for other things and been hoodwinked (Week one: everyone else can bake/do pottery/speak French - why can't I?).

I took my bemused husband along for moral support. "If they are all skinny and wearing Lycra, we'll just leave," I said.

But they weren't - there were all ages, shapes and sizes there (no offence ladies).

We were immediately comrades in arms and were going to beat this running thing together.

The first night was my own marathon - running for a minute and walking for a minute 10 times.

Seems like nothing? Try telling that to a confirmed couch potato.

You run at a pace you can have a conversation at, which is a great way to meet people and stops you pushing yourself too hard, plus course leaders Jo, Lynn and Judy didn't condescend.

I can't explain the feeling of completing our task - it was, quite simply, marvellous.

I was over the moon and when fellow beginner Diane, of Cockermouth, suggested we join the running for fun meet on Saturday, I said yes and didn't regret it.

This was a great introduction to running and made me think 'I can do this'.

There is a comitment to be made and you do have to agree to increase your times by doing 'homework' - it's not just a brief run with a chat.

Whether I'll feel the same in a few weeks' time, we'll have to wait and see.

Visit www.bodyfitpersonaltraining.co.uk for more information about courses on offer.