I managed to get to just under 10 minutes running before exhausted which is not good… However the 2 months before the best I got was 30 seconds if that.

I have a plan that I got from a website to help training yourself but so far i’ve not managed the times its suggested – I’m off by about 20% on each one so far.

I’ve been going to the gym now for about 6 weeks after work and generally do the following:

A) 5 minutes on Rowing machine

B) 40 reps on a machine for arms pushing up with a low but heavy for me weight in batches of 10 with a break of a minute ish between.

C) Another 40 on a machine pushing round and forward (chest press I think it was) as 1st

D) Stretches for about 5 to 10 minutes

E) 5 minutes on treadmill (growing to now 10 Mins)

Followed by around 20 minutes swimming in the pool. I started on 5 mins in pool but now up to 20 mins after the 6 weeks and slowly working my way to an hour but trying to increase by about 5 mins every 5th time I go.

I’ve been going around 3 times a week so slowly it is growing. Afterward I laze in the spa/sauna/steam room to chill for a bit.

I started soon after easter near the end of April to go swimming more than the gym and lazing in the pool. I chose to try and swim for a set amount of time and increase it gradually over the weeks.

Basically

• Week 1: 5 minutes
• Week 2: 5 minutes
• Week 3: 10 minutes
• Week 4: 10 minutes
• Week 5: 20 minutes
• Week 6: 20 Minutes

I’ve have been trying to increase the time by around 5 minutes every 5th time i’ve gone. But at 20 minutes I’m having difficulty to keep going and so staying there until slightly comfortable and I feel I can push myself further.

I don’t swim constantly – I stop and catch my breath then keep going or switch to float for a bit but do keep going. I’d like to get up to 30 minutes of comfortable constant swimming and think i’ll get there over time.

Other stuff I’ve done: Salsa Dance, started running a bit more, walking places near by instead of driving and attempted some things on a bike.

Overall not really done much but I’m getting there slowly.

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 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.

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.

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.

It seems to help me with balance, and co-ordination. I’m using every few days trying some of the games and the jogging but havent tried it elsewhere yet. I must look very strange jogging inside on the spot if anyone looked through a window.

In february sometime I’ll find out if I got into the great north run and to be honest I’m not sure if i’ll be ready.

I know its a low chance and would probably be better off going for it next year. However IF I get through it will give me an aim and a lot of motivation as wouldn’t want to let people down.

So here I plod on…

At the moment I am not fit enough to do it. I can walk briskly if I want but thats about it – as long as I have a distraction like music or chatting with people I can keep on going.

I have an aim to manage it especially since I’ve never done anything like it but wanted to try for several years.

I’ve not told anyone about it, just wrote here ballot isn’t until after my birthday and if I get through then I will work at it to be ready.