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.

So i’ve started to go again, and its not as easy as I recall it to have been. I hope that I pick it up again quickly and learn a lot more.

I used to go to a Tuesday class by one teacher and it was good but I seem to be busy on odd tuesdays and it was a block booking set so wasn’t really an option – a main reason why I stopped going. I’ve started going on a monday night with different teachers and noticed some of the people that help tuesdays go here which means I know a few people already.

I really enjoyed it yet it was very tiring. Probably not the best thing to do soon after trampolining at the uni but fun all the same… Got to help with the fitness I’m so egar some times to do.

When I first started trampolining, I wanted to do sumasaults – i’ve managed one at one time and it didn’t go well. I’ve been learning the basics now for a while and still can’t seem to get my body to actually do what I want it to do.

I see so many of the kids just go for it, you tell them to land in a certain way and they just seem to manage it – its quite annoying. As I seem to not be able to do things and others pick it up so simply.

Things I’d like to learn:

• Sumasaults
• Cat twists
• Other swirly moves

I’ve been doing trampolining a while now, but still enjoy it loads and look forward to the time where I have the opertunity to actually express it while out with others not expecting it – if that ever happens – it will be fun.

Its been a while since I’ve done swimming, and know that I love it – it just seems most places I used to go are now being “redeveloped” or just closed as I see it.

A whole week of at least an hour or two in a swimming pool swimming, and playing games in the sun – it was awesome. Also I ended up doing a lot more walking around that didn’t seem too bad and a little dancing which was fun… All in all quite an energetic mini time away for a week.

But now back and no-where to actually go and swim nicely – I think its the best exercise – I feel so alive when swimming. So now its missed – until I find somewhere I can go again.

It seems so simple… Now. I see so many people come in to trampolining and find it simple right away – they pass me in levels within 6 weeks. I think its got a lot to do with fear and knowing or not knowing what can go wrong.

As I say often “Ignorance is bliss, until you understand why” – and what I mean is without knowing the fears of what could happen, people are free’r to try things. Without worry, a lot more is possable.

I got the front drop working, and can also do Seat to front drops, and now back to front drops. You really need to use your hips to swivel your body around.. and I’m realising I’m just starting to understand.

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.

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

I’m up to 20 minutes swimming in the pool and thats taken 6 weeks to get there. I’m not doing it constantly – often pausing at ends and then restarting but keep on going as much as I can.

I believe its in september so planning for next year giving me around 18 months to prepare for it. To get past the 25m certificate I have and go for the mile.

About 60+ lengths of the pool to do – I struggle after 4 usually so only need to get another 60 or so and then try outside swimming – not really tried that one.

I’ve been in an outside pool but not really in the sea, or a river – that will be an experience I can look forward too althou will probably be very cold. I know i’ll need to wear a wet suit – so need one of those sometime too… But thats something for next year.

The plan so far is gradually increase my swimming in time and then lengths. I want to try and get my swimming up so that I can swim for an hour and then try to get up to a mile if not already.

My Current predicted plan:

Get to the level of Comfortable constant swimming:

June/July – Get to 25 minutes
Aug/Sep – Get to 35 Minutes
End of December – get to 60 minutes

Its about a 7 month plan so far, but its the preparation plan before going for the main training for the actual events in 2010.

I think it will fit in well with the rest of my plans for fitness as gives a seperate goal and a joined goal for extra motivation.

I have felt quite out of breath and energy drops not so much – I’ve not changed my diet much yet but have cut down crisps to one or two bags a week (or thats the plan) instead of daily aswell as chocolate/snacks I’ve tried replacing with a seeds/nuts Mix which is suprisingly tasty.

Its been hard work and looking back doesn’t feel like I’ve done much. Its been exercise between jobs – a break in the middle of the day to do stuff and then return to job time. I think that if I keep it up then it will definetly help.

I’ve been aching a bit from the new moves, but felt when I went trampolining more in the shapes I was meant to be in for a change so may be improving my ability at the same time.

I tried instead of just the gym – going out and running outside. That was totally different to on a treadmill – it was a lot harder breathing wise but was more enjoyable at the same time with the change of scenery.

I’ve got a set of DVDs that are dance aerobic based ones that are meant to help your body core – to stregthen and tone. I tried the begginer version that was meant to be easy and I was quickly tired out – I think its becoming easier but still hard.

It is something I’m going to try a few times a week and then every day. The documentation that comes with it all suggests a big change within 8 weeks. I’m thinking that its going to take a month to learn the basics and get into it – a kind of warming up to be able to do the 8 week plan.

I’m going to try and do a weekly update more so that I can see IF there is any change, and once a month check IF I change weight/waist size etc.