I am in mourning. Unexpected pieces of my body have dropped off and it’s very upsetting.

I am currently without two toenails on my right foot.

They peeled off while I was going about my business, which I found terribly inconsiderate.

I haven’t had a good look at my feet after the walk that shall not be mentioned and the amount of mileage I’ve been doing this last week or two, but I knew some of the nails had gone a funny colour.

It didn’t occur to me that they’d leave me. Husband says they mutinied and jumped ship to stop being abused.

He wouldn’t let me keep them in a matchbox with my running medals though.

My left foot seems to be faring better, but there are some odd colours on there too – put it this way, I don’t have to think about nail polish.

Now, I realise I should have turned to Adele, the podiatrist in Cockermouth, for help, but just couldn’t bring myself to think about anyone touching the tootsies.

Julie had been to a podiatrist and was told she was “traumatising” her feet.

Sounds about right – the whole exercise thing is traumatic.

My feet don’t feel any different. It’s just weird not to have toenails.

When it comes up in conversation, seasoned runners nod knowingly at you. “I lost every single toenail after that ultra-marathon in 2004,” they say. “Four never grew back so now I put polish on my toes so they match.”

Oh joy.

I’ve had a fairly active week so far, which included the Eaglesfield 5k for Hospice at Home West Cumbria.

It was a great race and I completed it in a respectable time, despite my leg playing up a lot.

BodyFit helped with the organisation and a herd of us turned out. I never got the memo though about wearing the club T-shirt and was about the only person not sporting it.

Sam – who never misses anything – eyed me beadily.

“Where’s your top?” she said, in her best school teacher voice. “It’s, er, in the wash,” I lied.

When I finished, Sam was at the finish line. “Well done on your time, although you would have gone faster if you’d worn your kit,” she said, laughing. At least I think she laughed.

I told her my dog ate it. Truth is, although I love being part of BodyFit, I can’t quite bring myself to wear something everyone else is wearing.

Just look at my hair colour – it doesn’t really allow you to blend in.

I like to be different and have never really conformed. I don’t want to look like everyone else and it’s taken me years to realise and embrace it.

On Thursday, it was the hour-and-an-half run, which I love.

But I was sent home after an hour and it wasn’t because I didn’t have the right kit on.

The pain in my leg is becoming a real pain in my neck.

I’ve got an appointment booked with the physio this weekend and I’m hoping there will be a quick fix. Wish me luck!