I hit a new stride in our training, now running for longer intervals than walking.

When we started six weeks ago with five minutes of walking and one running, the running was easy. Continued to be so as we advanced each week by increments of half a minute, until the 2.5-minute mark. Then, the extra 30 seconds felt like eternity.

The 3-and-3 intervals felt tiring at moments but less so. I found myself starting to guess at how far another 30 seconds of running or walking would take me, instead of watching the clock — would I make it around the corner, get over the hill?

Last week, we hit 3.5 minutes of running and I hovered near the high felt jogging in my younger years. The running portions passed by quickly and I felt like I could just keep going instead of switching back into walking.

It’s an exciting place to be but I’m a little leery how I’ll handle the jump to 4.5 minutes this week, and then Boogie is here.

I’m still batting 100 per cent in getting out to train three times a week but for the first time, didn’t make group last week. Hubbie returned after working away nine weeks, so suffice it to say I wasn’t leaping out of bed to make Sunday morning group.

Then work demands didn’t allow me to leave Tuesday, but I realize this is not roll-call in class, it’s a personal commitment to my health, and with that, I’m succeeding.