Weekend: The running girl seeks fun times and a sane mind

Since my late teens and for the past two decades, running and I, we've had some happy times. We've also has some slightly uncomfortable moments and a few odd encounters. But it helps keep me sane.

Rain or shine you will find me running. I will even get my kit on (yes on) in minus temperatures and in the snow. There's no stopping me. So much so, that at times, I am a regular sight around the streets in my home town along with my mum, who got me into my trainers and out the door. There have been a few occasions on a night out, where I'll be having a cheeky glass of vino (grape juice has its health benefits even if it is fermented, honest), and some random drinker will see me and say: "Hey you're the running girl aren't you?" Yes I am.

I love running for helping me de-stress. If I'm angry I will have imaginary arguments with 'people' in my mind to get it out of my system. Of course these are things that will stay in my head or else I would probably lose mine. Whatever's going on in life, a good run will help to put things into perspective.

Lately my other half has started running with me. At first I thought: "Hmmm this is going to encroach on my thinking time." But no. Turns out I needn't have worried. I can't keep up. My mind is 10 paces ahead but my poor little legs are dragging behind. Obviously I'm not going to lose face, I'm fiercely competitive, so I push myself. Consequently I am left gasping for breath, with a healthy glow (face the colour of a tomato) doubled over, my muscles screaming with lactic acid build up. No opportunity for conversation there.

While I have been privileged to see all sorts of heart-warming sights, deer on an early morning forest run and hot air balloons drifting through blue skies, I've had my fair share of peculiar and unpleasant instances.

Rain is not a runner's friend, water blowing on my face dripping down my cheeks, not nice. Drivers tend to forget the deep puddles accumulating by the roadside and speed through them throwing up a mini tsunami, leaving me cold and soaked. Not to mention a blast of windscreen wiper fluid now and then. Tip; angle your squirters on the windscreen not at the pavement.

Then there are those people asking for directions. Walkers and motorists will stop and ask the way to so and so. I'm happy to help, really I am, but it puts me off my stride a little and nine times out of 10, because I'm so deep in thought, I run off wondering if I've sent them the wrong way. Oooops.

And of course children, they can be so irritating. I can say this, I have none. They like to run alongside me or shout things like "run Forrest, run". Really, not heard that before. My all time favourites are the random things that happen. Like the time a white van drove past me and out flew a bread roll hitting me on the head. Why!? It's risky business this running lark.

I'm sure there are plenty of fellow runners who can relate to the horror of having a touch of the Paulas. Well when you've got to go you've got to go. Please don't get me started on the stomach-churning time I had a nasty bout of food poisoning, hours after running the London Marathon. Fast food chain. . . I will never forgive you.

Needless to say I'm giving that long-distance event a miss this year but I will watch it from the comfort of my sofa tomorrow, after my morning run of course.

Read Lisa Williams first in the new Weekend Express & Star, every Saturday.