When I took part in the Reading Half Marathon last year it was all very last minute.

I hadn’t been training for it but a place came up and I had been running for a few months by then and so thought – why not?

I had never done a half marathon before (apart from a very lame attempt at Windsor a couple of years before which I practically walked around) and so this was going to be my test.

A test to see if I could do it, like it, survive after and if I really was into this running thingy.

Fast forward a year and to present day and here I am about to take part in the Reading Half Marathon this year....as a warm up to a full marathon next month!

How has this happened? Why has this happened? And can this happen? These are the questions I keep asking myself at the moment.

I am in a very different place from where I was this time last year, in that an easy and enjoyable run for me these days is a 10-12 mile jolly around east Berkshire. I don’t feel satisfied unless I am running at least six miles. This is something I never thought I would achieve in my life.

The Reading Half Marathon has been part of my training plan. Although it is not my goal it has been a massive marker in getting ready for the London Marathon.

Having done it before, I know there will be a great crowd along the route. The feeling last year of running into the university campus was amazing. In fact, I even think I slowed and said “wow” as I plodded on in. And along the way people made so much effort with their support. There was music playing, drinks being handed out and lots of children with Jelly Babies. That will be my one tip – make sure you take a Jelly Baby. Not only are they are great source of energy for that split second, but those children have probably been standing there a good part of two hours and they are desperate to help you on your journey.

I finished last year in about two-and-a-half hours. What I am hoping to do this year is to finish in 2hr15 and to feel good at the end of it. Last year I wanted to collapse – and I think I did in the stadium – this year I want to and need to know I could carry on. I guess if I was really, really serious about this running thingy I would run back to Slough after. But I have a 20 mile run booked in for the following week so that will cover my one last long distance before April 26.

Good luck to everyone taking part whether it’s your first time, for fun, for charity, as a pre-marathon training one or as a proper serious you want to win this.

The best thing about half-marathons like Reading is that anyone can do it. Trust me - if I can....you can!

Rebecca Curley