Newton Cap Viaduct, Bishop Auckland, UK
When we think about making a change to our lives, it's useful to have a goal in mind.
Whether it's improving our health, learning something new or developing a skill, having something to work towards gives us a sense of direction. The distance between where we are now and where we'd like to be can seem very far apart at the beginning. One approach is to start with something manageable, make progress and learn as you go.
Some years ago, my routine was fairly sedentary. Car, desk, car again, sofa, sleep, repeat.
I decided I wanted to become fitter and more active. Rather than join a gym, I decided to try running. I bought myself some basic running kit and chose an easy point to run to. This was my goal. It happened to be Newton Cap viaduct about half a mile from where I lived.
My first run was difficult, more so than I'd expected.
I ran a little, walked to catch my breath, ran some more and walked again.
It wasn't exactly Chariots of Fire! But I had made it to the viaduct.
The following day, my legs ached, and I wondered whether I'd ever run again. A couple of days later, I tried again. Same destination, same combination of running and walking.
After a few weeks, I noticed something. I was walking less and running more and eventually made it to the other side of the viaduct. Each small improvement gave me the confidence to try something more. Something I'd initially found difficult had become part of my everyday life.
Without really noticing, going for a run had become a habit. My original goal hadn't changed. I still wanted to become fitter and more active. But my understanding of what I could achieve was beginning to change.
After building up to running around three miles, I decided to join a running club.
I was apprehensive at first, but it was the best decision I had made.
I met experienced runners willing to share their knowledge and people who encouraged one another.
It's easy to assume that making progress is something we do entirely through our own efforts. But the people around us can influence our confidence, broaden our understanding and help us discover things we might never have attempted alone.
One particular moment has stayed with me. Running as part of a team during the Cleveland Way Relay, we followed a route that took us via Roseberry Topping, up past Captain Cook's Monument, down into Kildale and then up the steep climb to the top of Clay Bank.
At the top, I looked back across the valley and moors we'd just crossed. In the distance, I could see Cook's Monument and Roseberry Topping.
When I first started running, I had a goal to become fitter and more active.
I had no idea where that decision would eventually take me or who I would meet along the way.
Sometimes, it's only when we look back that we realise just how far we've come.