Right.
Don?t worry, we all have times when we feel like this and I?m going to try to encourage you! I will think of some music in a mo. Words first......
I?m so sorry that you feel knocked down and deflated. I want you to remember how you felt when you first began to think about starting running, how upbeat you were, the first goals you set, the excitement and buzz you felt? It?s all still there for you, for us all. We have lost sight of how far we have come. We need to reflect upon and celebrate our achievements, not always think about what we are not achieving! Nor is this a competition between us, this is all about us setting our own personal challenge One step at a time, and you are amazing.
We are choosing to do something that is difficult. If it was easy then the majority of people would run to improve their health, but we are in the minority. There will always be difficulties achieving anything you want. It is very rare to get anything in life without some degree of effort. But you are willing to try. And you are doing so well, so don?t knock yourself for being ambitious!
But we all know it is tough. But we are proving by sticking with this that we are up for the challenge!
You are disappointed not to be achieving more having run for a year. Don?t despair, turn it round, see how fabulous you are for keeping at this when the majority of people would have given up long ago trying to overcome the hurdles and resistance. Sybil, you are brilliant - in fact the whole lot of you are. We are all doing something that we couldn?t. How amazing is that? Twenty minutes is good! I can clearly remember failing at the 90sec run. Twenty minutes is vastly better than good!
There is no doubt that because of your year?s running experience that you will be fitter and your body will be appreciating the time you are putting in. No question. You have invested a years? worth of exercise, your body will be loving you for it!
You say you are getting older, but don?t ever think 42 is OLD or I will have to slap you, as I am older than you! I certainly don?t feel old 
Whatever age we are, we are all ageing, but lets take control of our health and well being! I do however recognise the time restrictions /difficulties in getting out on a regular basis. It?s not always easy to make time for ourselves is it? But somehow we do, and we must continue to do so, even if it is less than we would like. We are worth it!
So chin up chick, you are doing so well to have come so far. Look at what you have achieved. Maybe go back on the programme to get back into the groove and routine, and just keep chipping away. Every time you go out, you are doing yourself a favour in terms of your health and general well being. And certainly don?t look at yourself as older, fatter and saggier, see yourself as someone glorious!