Getting started (or falling at the first hurdle)

Running is not easy. Or at least not for someone of my particular bodymass.

For the last few years I've entertained the idea of running the London Marathon. Not least because it is the World's biggest and technically the original, but because it is also practically on my doorstep. So for 2009, I was lucky enough to get a place through Leonard Cheshire Disability (www.lcdisability.org). Also, at the time (October 2008) I happened to weigh 16 stone 2 pounds in weight. So:

The pledge: Run/finish the London Marathon and lose 30lbs in the process

20+ years of playing rugby have taken their toll on my knees and ankles, so the weight loss is basically to minimise any additional impact on these vulnerable joints. And while the 16 week training regime prescribed by the good fellows at the Marathon doesn't kick in until (thankfully) after the new year, I have at least started to try the running.

And so far I've been attacked by a dog and lost valuable training time to a stomach bug. More of which next time. Happy running.

Please sponsor me at www.justgiving.com/stuyeomans