A new year and a new start… Many changes in life have happened over the last year and I look forward to what is coming… I can believe that there is so much going to happen that I can’t quite imagine yet…

But for now I wish you all a Happy New Year, and hope you are having a great start to what should be an amazing year.

I’ve learned recently that quite a lot of people that I know have attempted the Great North Run – some of which i’ve never thought of as sporty in any way.

Most have said its not worth it, but others have said it was an amazing acheivement. I think i’d be in the later group if I ever do it.

So whats the best way to get fitter for such an event? Maybe go for smaller runs during the year to build up to it, honestly – I don’t know… I wonder if I can find someone to run with – cos on my own its just not really motivating.

I will continue to try different things, like dance, and of course trampolining… Great fun even thou I don’t seem to be getting any better.

So there was the North Run – I’m no where near ready – got up to 20 minutes running on a slow pace but then just run out of breath.

I have sent in for defferment, so I’m in for next year – an extra year to get my fitness up. Its been a LOT harder than I anticipated – I need a lot more training to get anywhere near close the fitness I require. I also need to find someone else that I can run with – to help pass the time and help with rhythm and pace.

Its due for tommorrow but I’ve posted the forms back and badge etc. It was kinda awesome to see everything there. I am already in training for next year but need to work up to hours of running/jogging and not just 20 minutes. I look forward to actually being able to complete the task – I think it will really benefit me in an acheivement way.

One friend said I could walk it instead, but not sure I could even do that at the moment and there is less that 24 hours to go.

So, not this year but next… Hope people will sponsor me – No idea for who but look forward to the opertunity.

- John

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.