Run Britain Day 1: From Sizewell to Butley

I thought I was fully prepared for Run Britain. My bags had been packed for weeks, my route has been fully mapped out all the way around to Glasgow. I have spoken to sponsors, I have made extensive Canva templates, I have bought all the equipment I could need.

But at 8am on Day 1 when things really kicked off, I wasn’t prepared for the chaos.

Jamie (my videographer from PitPat) arrived to do some last minute filming. The house needed to be clean and tidy and well organised (which it was, but there is always more that can be done!) Shadow could not be persuaded that she needed to conserve her energy and spent far too long running around in the garden with Lilah.

But eventually we managed to get out of the house and made it to Park Run (only just in time - but earlier than I had made it in the stress dreams I had been having prior to setting off).

Running Park Run with Harry and my three sisters was so special. Charlie raced off and came ninth - he wanted to win the first leg and he did it very convincingly. And then I was surrounded by friends, some of whom I have known my whole life, with banners and well wishes. A quick interview with BBC Look East and then we were away - leg one the short stretch back home, with Emily and Katie.

It’s been an amazing start to Run Britain. Great company - Beth ran a total of 15km between Thorpeness and Snape, Shadow ran 30km (plus the many miles she sprinted with Lilah). Great food - stops for treats in Snape, macaroni cheese in Orford and a cup of tea in Butley. Great evening - always wonderful hospitality at the Bittern.

After all this planning, I can’t believe I have started. 199 days to go!