'IF I CAN RUN 5K anyone can!'

Fern Britton takes us along on her amazing Couch to 5k journey

- ROBYN MORRIS

After turning 65 last year, Fern Britton admits that she somewhat lost her way when it came to looking after her physical and mental health. ‘About a year or so ago, I realised that I wasn’t looking after myself – physically or mentally,’ she said. ‘I wasn’t doing exercise, I was eating too much and suddenly, it was like I flipped a switch and I thought, “No, you’ve got to look after yourself”.’

And, true to her word, fast forward a year and Fern has completed the NHS Couch to 5k challenge – and she even managed to finish it before turning 66.

‘It’s a fantastic thing to do,’ she said. ‘I’m four days off my 66th birthday and my knees are clunky, my shoulder’s clunky, but it’s really good.’

Enjoying the experience

For Fern, taking on the Couch to 5k challenge wasn’t simply about time or distance, but about proving to herself that she could take on something new and get fit. She insists that if she can do it, anyone can and to prove it, she documented each run on her Instagram feed – and she wasn’t afraid of videoing herself at the end of each sticky, sweaty milestone.