14 years ago a friend suggested: “Let’s do 5@5 for Lent”. After figuring out what he meant, we did it: jogging 5 miles at 5am each weekday. Struggling out of bed into the dark, cold morning was tough for us both. But we couldn’t let each other down. And so it became a tradition, each year. Although gradually the start time slipped to 5.15…

February is a special month for habit-setting. The hubris and enthusiasm of New Year resolutions has worn off. Spring is still a distant hope. Its grit time. If you can set a habit in February, it’ll stick. When I started my walk, people asked: won’t it be difficult in winter? Not really, because of those 5@5s for 6 weeks every February and March.

Incidentally, if walking is your habit of choice, feel free to set yourself a “Walk the Distance” personal challenge for February – see www.3500toendit.com.

This year I’ll miss 5@5 with my friend. My only regret for this year of walking.