Eat, drink and be merry (for a short while at least)

Weeks to go: 17
Current weight: 15 stone 8 pounds
Total lost so far: 8 pounds
....but it's been Christmas and some leniancy must surely be allowed!

As I'm sure you know, the festive period is well and truly underway and as such, there seems an almost irresistible urge to gorge on both food and drink for the two weeks that span both Christmas and New Years. This is, unfortunately, at odds with training for the Marathon (exactly 17 weeks from today!).

With that in mind, the kind people at Runners World magazine (www.runnersworld.co.uk) have done what I am sure is some deeply involved research into what might be the best way to cope, including the healthier side of alcohol consumption. Feel free to check this out at: http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/news/article.asp?uan=3763.

Personally, I've managed to stay well clear of too much overindulgence so far, primarily due to the horrible cold that I've had for the previous week and am still trying to shake. Yet another hindrance to the training schedule. However, at the proper start of the training regime in a week's time, I will suffer the pinnacle of humiliation by having my bodyfat tested as well. I anticipate shame. More next time.

Also, next time there'll be a list of the events I'm doing in the build up to the London Marathon, so you can all come and point/laugh as you see fit. Cheers! Happy running.

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.

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