In 1998 I ‘retired’ from gymnastics. In 2008 I took up adult gymnastics classes. As a child we kept training diaries in notebooks; this time I thought I’d keep it as a blog.

It is helpful to a gymnast (young and competitive or indeed old and unfit) to keep a diary of their progress and training. It allows forward movement to be tracked and in those moments of despair when nothing seems to be working to provide encouragement.

Returning to a sport 10 years on is not easy. Gymnastics has moved on in leaps and bounds (!) and I have not moved with it. In my mind I am at the level when I stopped competing. In reality I can barely touch my toes. I am not looking to return to any kind of competitive level merely to get fit and back in touch with a sport which I once loved so much.

This is my diary of my journey; I hope that you enjoy following it.