There's a run I do along the Merri Creek, 2 kms each way. I've never cracked it in under 30 minutes. I'm sure I've done 4kms in under 30 minutes elsewhere (and definitely on the treadmill) but never along this track.

This morning I went out for a run and did the first 2 kms in 15 mins. I turned around and pushed my legs to the limit on the way home, convinced that today would be the day...

32 minutes, damn it all.

I swear, despite signs to the contrary, it's more than 4 km. Also instead of stopping to check the time when i turn around, I should keep running. It all adds up.

Tonight I went to the dietician. I had to tell her what I normally eat and, as I reeled off the bircher muesli for breakfast and the turkey salad rolls for lunch and the stirfries and things for dinner, I had to laugh. It just sounded too perfect. 'I do eat chocolate,' I told her. She thinks chocolate is a fine thing to eat sometimes. So do I.

She did give me some helpful advice: instead of just having an apple as an afternoon snack before the gym, I should eat more - some nuts or fruit toast or a yoghurt; I do eat enough protein but not enough carbs, and while she didn't believe I eat 4 kgs of apples a week, she did say to get more variety in my fruits.

She gave me a booklet on foods to eat for diabetes and I freaked out at half the stuff in it. No way would I eat some ofthose things - far too many calories!