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