1 week in

Hello to you all,

So, I am one week in and am absolutely cream crackered. Only 3 more months to go! My body and many other people are already telling me that I am an idiot for doing this. This was further backed up when I went for my first weigh-in at the gym yesterday. I am now fully aware of what 'overweight' and 'excess body-fat' really means!

My first proper run last week was an eye-opening experience. I completed the 3.2 miles in 34 minutes, stopping just the 4 times to throw up. The fact that I could barely walk for 3 days afterwards was no laughing matter. I found that the local 'mafia' dont seem to appreciate me running round their 'hood' in an Arsenal shirt, tighter-than-I-remembered blue shorts, white socks pulled up to around mid-shin level, illuminous blue hockey trainers and sweatbands on each wrist so I have been doing my running on the treadmill in the gym at work where everyone has a much better appreciation for fashion.

I have been given a training plan by a friend of mine, which I start in 11 days. By then, I need to be able to comfortably run 3 miles so I need to fit in around 30 miles between now and then. Joy.

And so, the hard work really has begun, I am aching from head to toe and its all in aid of Framework (www.frameworkha.org) and the excellent work they do. As before, please visit my just giving page www.justgiving.com/james-sturman if you would like to sponsor me to try to complete the Great North Run - it is truely appreciated.

Thank you...

Great North Run

So, here I am. 13 and a bit stone, the heaviest I have ever been. My lungs are about as effective as an England goalkeeper due to many years of nicotine abuse and I found out yesterday that I have 13 weeks to prepare for the 13 mile long Great North Run.

Courtesy of BUPA, I have been granted a free place on the run so I couldnt turn it down even if I tried (and believe me, I tried!).

The timing of this could not have been worse - the World Cup, Wimbledon, even the wonderful northern sunshine has come out - the perfect time of year for sitting on my backside and nailing a load of beers. But hey-ho, these things happen apparently.

As always happens with these sorts of things, I am hoping that as many people read this and sponsor me. All of the sponsorship I raise will be donated to a charity that I used to work for in Nottingham, a charity which truely does some amazing work, Framework. You can read all about Framework and their amazing work at http://www.frameworkha.org/

So, it is my first run tonight, I have a steady 2 mile run planned - not very far, I know, but those who know me well will recognise that I have never exactly been in 'tip-top' condition. I have made sure my route does not pass any bus stops, taxi ranks, pubs or chip shops so, for me, the dedication truely starts here. 13 weeks of gruelling training, no beer (tough), no cigarettes (even tougher), just 13 weeks of pure mind-over-matter for what I believe is a truely good cause.

I am planning on keeping this blog updated weekly to keep all of my supporters (or should I say both of my supporters!) updated with my (lack of) progress so thank you very much for reading this.

Pretty pretty please visit my just giving page at www.justgiving.com/James-Sturman and donate as much or as little as you can in aid of Framework.

Thank you
James Sturman