My first attempt at running was disastrous.

I did a 5K Parkrun with no understanding of how far 5K even is. It turned out to be one of the most unpleasant 34 minutes of my life.

The people who literally ran laps around me were in short shorts and sweat-wicking vest tops with fancy watches and about 5 per cent body fat.

I wore baggy jogging bottoms and a heavy cotton zip-up hoodie, which gave the whole thing an unintentional Bikram vibe. I didn't feel like I belonged there.

The way my love handles and thighs jiggled with every step made me feel as though maybe people like me just weren't really meant to run. I mean, what's the rush anyway? A brisk walk can get me where I need to go.

Whenever we see people who are classed as 'good runners', they all look the same: very slim with a little muscle definition.

If we look at this from a purely scientific point of view, if you have a desire to be a very fast distance runner, to compete in races or the Olympics, having a low body fat percentage would be advantageous.

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The less weight you carry, the faster you can move - that's just simple logic.

And because when we watch these big races, all the people who come in the top spots fit that body type, we tend to compare our bodies to theirs and figure, 'Well, I'm just not built for running.'

But then you look at sprinters who have big powerful thighs and muscular arms and there's practically steam coming off their feet as they burn up the track.

When I've run half or full marathons, I've pretty much always been overtaken by people who would be classed as 'obese'.

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I have friends of literally every shape and size who run. I know runners who are 6'4'' and 5 foot nothing, fat and skinny, muscly and 'fluffy' (as one friend likes to put it), young and old, big breasted and flat chested. My point being: there is no such thing as a runner's body.

If you want to run, RUN.

When we're introduced to running as kids in school, it's in the context of races where being fastest and first is the ultimate prize. Speed is always rewarded.

I made my peace with the fact that I'm not a fast runner a long time ago. I stopped making the pursuit of speed a reason to run.

Why can't I just run to get some quiet time? Or check out a new area? Or to blow off some steam after a bad day?

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There's enough competition in life, I don't need to constantly battle with myself and my body while doing something I want to enjoy.

And that's the crux: all this 'I'm not built for this' talk, which is often based on comparing yourself to other people you see running, completely negates any opportunity for you to define your body and its abilities on your own terms.

If you want to run, RUN.

It's on you to discover what running can do for you. It doesn't have to be about races or speed or distance or, losing weight. It can be about whatever the hell you want it to be about.

If you want to run, RUN.

My love handles still jiggle, my cellulite-y thighs rub together but I guarantee you, there are women who are skinnier and faster than me and their lungs still burn the same as mine at the top of a particularly tough hill.

Bill Bowerman, the co-founder of Nike once said 'If you have a body, you're an athlete.'

So, and I think I've made myself clear, if you want to run. RUN.