Anyone that knows me, would realise I can't run for a bus, let alone take part in what feels like an event equivalent to the London Marathon, crossed with an episode of the Kypton-Factor! But one person believed in me, and that was my 'BFF Allen' (Jane).

The decision was a quick one, if I was to do anything like this, there was only one person in the world I was going to do it with and so....the regimented training started.  Well actually, before training started, my PT Instructor Allen kindly gifted me a large pile of sports clothing (from socks to jackets) and told to buy some decent trainers!!!

Looking like a mini Allen in all my preloved sportswear, training was well underwear and I was informed that my PT Instructor Allen had booked an afternoon off to take the training to the next level.  Great I thought, we will have a laugh, take it easy.......NOPE, that was not happening!  Instead I was subjected to a strict regime that would start at UEA, go all around Earlham Park, through the woods, around UEA lake and back to the car (that's if I made it). 

As if it was yesterday I remember sharing how much I love the woods, but I also remember that my legs didn't belong to my body anymore and my heart was beating so fast and hard, I thought it was coming out of my chest! Nearly collapsing, I was gently encouraged to basically move my ar*e...'COME ON TAYLOR, DON'T GIVE UP, DO THE TAYLOR SHUFFLE!!!'.

So, the shuffle continued and our Race for Life day was here, 26 July 2015. Numbers 5265 and 5266 were doing this race in memory of Allen's much loved and missed cousin Mark and Taylor's nanny Bradfield. 

Covered from head to toe in mud, my PT instructor looked after me the whole way round, pure teamwork.  We laughed, we scrambled, we crawled, we climbed, we had an absolute blast.  Lots of photos were taken and a much treasured video was filmed.

And so.....the greatest physical achievement (apart from giving birth!) in my life was complete and it will always be one of the most fondest memories I have with my best friend, Allen.

My beautiful Allen, I believe you are standing here behind me,  encouraging me to start finding that 'TAYLOR SHUFFLE' again. 

Who knows.....maybe i'll dust off those trainers and do the next one for you.