Cathy, former British Woman Chess Champion, runs for Refuge (Photo: Barry Martin)

For 30 years, my idea of sport was chess - primarily a mental rather than physical activity. During my running training, though, I've found the traditional distinction between mind and body in sport is artificial. Just as the mental athleticism of chess requires physical fitness to sustain concentration over a long match, so the demands of endurance athletics require mental toughness. Optimum performance in both mind sports and physical sports depends, therefore, on the same two essential elements: a sound mind in a sound body. Not a new idea: "mens sana in corpore sano", the Romans called it. I've learned to respect the Romans.

My first 20 mile run literally stretched me to the limit! I made the classic novice mistake of galloping off at the start trying to keep pace with faster runners, with the result that my legs had died by mile 7. How on earth could I complete a further half-marathon distance? The answer: slowly and painfully! The half-hearted attempts at post-race exercises were to no avail. As I post this, 3 days later, I'm still having trouble with stairs! Still, again I just about managed not to win the fight for last place: I came 160th out of 168. More importantly, I've almost proved I can run a marathon. Could I have staggered on for another 6.2 miles? I think so. Just about. (Photo: Mark Warwick)

After 3hrs 56 mins 58 seconds, a chequered son (Albert) congratulates his blurred mother (Cathy) after her first 20 mile run. Cornish pasties were on offer to all finishers of the Duchy Marathon and Duchy 20 races at the Penventon Park Hotel in Redruth, but Cathy prefers bananas. Hubby Mark got Cathy's pastie. (Photo: Mark Warwick)

My second race was the Duchy of Cornwall 20 mile race on 12 March 2006. I had never walked 20 miles before, let alone run that far. The distance was further by almost 7 miles than I had ever run at a single stretch. Despite my optimistic smile for the camera I was feeling apprehensive, as well I might. So far I've been unlucky with the weather in both my races - just awful! The Duchy courses are scenic but hilly and tough, the runners lashed by coastal wind and rain. The race organisers and marshals in both the Duchy Races and the Sussex Beacon Half Marathon, I should add, are wonderful. The marshals and drink-givers stand freezing selflessly in the gales - at least the runners keep warm by moving! (Photo: Mark Warwick)

My chess mate Claire and I have teamed up to do our training runs together in the scenic environs of Richmond Park. One circuit of the park is approximately 7 miles. At the time this picture was taken, our maximum training distance was 9 miles - we were attempting a 2nd circuit when the weather defeated us! We are proudly displaying the t-shirts of our respective charities. Cathy models Refuge's fetching pink number, while Sense's brighter white sets off Claire's dark hair nicely. (Photo by Barry Martin)

A Training Game before a Training Run. Cathy and running buddy Claire Summerscale, Cathy's team mate (& also manager) of the Pride & Prejudice Chess Team (currently leading their division in the 4 Nations Chess League), grab a piece of the action in Richmond Park. Cathy and Claire are modelling their Marathon Charity Runner t-shirts. Cathy is running for Refuge, while Claire is running for Sense. (Photo by Barry Martin)

Fruits of labour - the traditional reward of bananas for the 13.1 miler. For the uninitiated, it's kind of a nutritional rule to restock on carbs and glycogen & potassium, etc after a long run. Check with the nutritionists - all I know is BANANAS ARE GOOD. (Photo: Mark Warwick)

Relief at not coming last brings a rush of euphoria and a victory wave. 2,979th place out of 3,122 - hey, I'm in the top 3000! (Photo: Mark Warwick)

Isn't running a great sport - you get a medal just for finishing! Now it's time to go weak at the knees - mainly due to the sight of hubby and his unforgiving camera! (Photo: Mark Warwick)

I finished the Sussex Beacon Half Marathon in 2h 31 min 22 sec. Must try harder to have a chance of finishing the London Marathon in my target time of sub 5 hours! I suffered the humiliation of being beaten by someone encumbered in heavy costume as an enormous pint of beer. I had, however, the consolation of defeating a huge gorilla who appeared to have escaped from the film set of "Trading Places". The going got especially tough after about mile 8 when my Ipod Shuffle drowned in the rain and, now musicless, my heart sank still further as I looked up at the endless rise of Telscombe Cliffs and felt as though the course went on forever! Climbing the final hill and seeing the finish ahead, I felt better and broke into what for me passes for a sprint, and what to my son looks like a duck waddling! (Photo: Mark Warwick)

It was very cold and wet during the Sussex Beacon Half Marathon. The worst part was slithering the length of a 2 mile muddy ditch along Telscombe Cliffs on the 'home straight'. The race winners, male and female, ran the slowest winning times for years. (Photo: Sarah Warwick)

Umbrellas were out in force on the day of my first race - the Sussex Beacon Half Marathon on Sunday 19th February 2006. 1,000 runners dropped out on the day due to the 'appalling weather conditions.' (Photo: Mark Warwick)