ARMED with a new pair of trainers, made especially for running, I'm back at St Asaph Leisure Centre with an actual spring in my step.

It must be the heels - they're very bouncy.

Seeing as I've still got some pain in the back of my left foot, Noelle suggests that I still take it slow this week, avoiding the impact exercises, so I start off on the slalom again doing a fast walk.

I really notice the difference that my new shoes are making and can't wait to get back to the higher exertion exercises.

As I spend more time on my mat work doing weights, press-ups and sit ups I finally feel that I'm starting to get better. I'm certainly not a legend, but looking over at one of the men for whom this is the first session I realise that I've come on quite a long way in just five weeks.

I agree with Noelle that I will start trying to do the impact exercises again on Thursday with the help of my springy trainers.

Thursday comes around I'm desperate to get back to stepping up my exercises.

So that I don't end up hurting myself, Noelle suggests that I do the first circuit with the impact exercises, the second one without and the final one with.

I start the warm-up and am pleased to say that I do all the jogging and skipping until the circuit begins. I'm not aching, so take it as a good sign.

I have to go easy on the star jumps and spotty dogs as this is the area where my legs went funny last time, but by the end of class I'm feeling really good about myself.

I still need to be careful not to push myself too hard but, dare I say it - I'm back.