We went to the gym yesterday and did a little warm up I’d learned on the assistant coaching course and tried some different machines in the gym.

We worked together. I am now on the second weight instead of the first. Not sure what it is, I should maybe write it down. It was him first – Do 10 ten me do 10, we repeated with a mini rest and water between about 4 times and then moved machines.

My arms ached a lot after but didn’t hurt as to say. We did 20 minutes on the treadmil and now I’m up to 4 minutes and lots of walking… A slow increase but still its increasing.

We were in the gym over an hour before retiring to the jacuzzi and swimming pool. It felt like an achievement to be in that long – it didn’t feel that long which means I must be enjoying it too.

I’m quite enjoying this running althou my legs seem to ache some days – usually the lower legs just above the ankles (I can’t remember the name)

I like diversity in life so running isn’t my only way to getting fitter and training. Running is only my newest addition.

I’ve spoken to friends with the idea of this Great North Run and getting fitter and they have said I do a lot already – I don’t think so, but certainly do more than I used to.

Three years or so ago I started trampolining after a friend invited me to it. It was a bit of fun that was something I hadn’t done since probably the early 90′s.

I can only do the basics still after 3 years but enjoy it a lot. I have completed the assistant coaching for trampolining and can help others up to the same level I am now.

I’m slowly getting further with it and go to the club at least once a week, usually a wednesday night or other days through Teesside University.

Last year I started doing dancing – I tried to get others to go who wouldn’t but it looked like fun so I went for it – wishing I tried the year before as intended but backed out because no-one would go with me.

First was ball room dancing – something that is very difficult without your own partner. That lasted about 8 weeks. It was more energetic than I thought it would be but quite a lot of fun.

Next I tried salsa where as a guy, you always have the opertunity of a partner. Much faster than ballroom and a lot more fun. I’ve met a lot of people the same age as me and made a lot of new friends.

I think the dance has helped with co-ordination and stamina – Dance and Trampolining. Using these I think will help me train and enjoy it too.

we’ve been to the gym place a few times this week, so far its been using free passes a friend had so I didn’t need to pay.

Today I joined up, and we went running for a little while. I managed a whole 3 minutes of running before returning to the walking again and no falling off so thats was excellent. I think the wii fit has helped… I say think.

3 minutes sounds like nothing in reality but before two weeks ago that was zero minutes and falling off. Now its 3 minutes and lots of walking (16 to 17 minutes)

We’ve both started with an aim of 20 minutes, i’m slowly working up to it and when close will change to 30 minutes.

If I was alone, I’d probably leave it on free to go and listen to music. At the moment I seem to talk a lot to my friends while I’m there.

I read somewhere or was told that you should be able to keep a conversation going while training otherwise you could be straining too much… Not sure how true it is but a few others have also said it sounds right.

A relaxing day with friends, talking, joking, a gym?

Today I went out with a friend to a sports club. I’ve never managed well at these things and the machines look interesting and people often look strange using them.

We did a few of the machines as he showed me how to use them. I used the lower of the weights – I don’t want to injure myself first week or any week really.

Then we went on the treadmill. Last time I went on one of these I lost my balance within a minute and came off it. This time I managed to stay on and did walking for a while while my friend did running.

We talked… about the idea of doing the “Great North Run” – its something He would like to do but says he’s in no way fit enough this year. I intend to be and so far can’t do much.

After about 45 minutes in the Gym we went to the pool and did a little swimming and a lot of lazing about.

All in all… A friendly introduction to sporting things in a gym space.

Today I turned 30, left my 20s behind and a change is apparently happening. I can’t say I feel any different – I dont feel older but its nice to say “I was in my 20′s 10 years ago” instead of “I was a teenager” and also odd at the same time.

I didn’t check my email on my birthday so didn’t find this out til the weekend. A computer free day is always good when you work with them all day.

In my email I got a response from the “Great Run Information Service” with a message of:

“Congratulations! We are delighted to inform you that your application to take part in the 2009 Bupa Great North Run via the general ballot has been successful.”

So its set, I have a target. I’ve still not told people in general yet about it as so far I can only run using the Wii but thats going to change now.