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18/09/2011 - Great North Run 2011 - 2h 46m 35s......Well I did it.....Too hot, too hilly and too far!!! In all seriousness I enjoyed the whole day, amazing atmosphere and support and surpassed my fundraising target which is what it was all about. Thanks everyone for your amazing support.

08/05/2011 - Beverley 10k - 1h 10m 11s......Pretty hilly course but pleased with my first 'proper' race....great day had by all

15/05/2011 - Jane Tomlinson Hull 10k - 1h 4m 47s....about 50 of us ran this for The Smile Foundation.......another fantastic day, with great support all the way around.

12/06/11  - Burton Pidsea 10k - 1h 13m 40s  - A tough day at the office, foot hurting like hell during this one....managed to get a radio plug, see attached youtube link on the video tab

23/06/11 - Back offshore, the training continues......

14/07/11 - Back out on the road and on the bike. 50 mile cycle to Scarborough on 16/07/11 with some of the boys from Hullensians raising money for Cancer Research and Dove House Hospice, should be a cracking day....what a great day (and night) it was...

28/07/2011 - Back offshore....Busy as hell and finding it hard to find the time to train but it's gotta be done, only 7 weeks to go.

14/08/11- 9.5 mile run with 40lb.... 1h 57m.... In blazing sunshine.... Very, very pleased and very, very heavy legged afterwards!!!

28/08/11 - Ventured out for a 13 mile run with 40lb - Got lost and did 15 miles in a time of 3hours!

01/09/11 - Back offshore with bergen in tow. Less than 3 weeks to go now and 2 weeks of serious training ensues.....

As you may be aware, I have decided to undertake a sweaty and uncomfortable task on 18th September 2011, in that I will be taking part in the Great North Run carrying a 40lb bergen, in support of Help for Heroes.

Why would I do a half marathon carrying 40lbs you might ask.....? I have in fact asked myself the very same question since starting my training.......!! Well when I initially thought it over it wasn't a matter of 'why should I do it', rather 'why the hell shouldn't I'........

I am aiming for a time of 2h 30 m for the Great North Run...I just hope the sun stays in!!

I left the Army in 2002 after serving 9 years as a medic. We all watch in wonderment at the determination and professionalism of our soldiers who are willing not only to put their lives on the line in theatre.....but do so with little hype or fuss. Some of these guys and girls suffer horrendous injuries whilst serving our country and H4H provides the individuals and Service charities with much needed support.

I would like to raise £40 for every lb I am carrying in the hope of reaching a target of £1600

My training has started in earnest at the start of April around the same time as my rugby boots were hung up for the last time....(note to all my rugby friends...the retirement is permanent, contrary to recent reports...in fact sponsor me and I will prove it by never playing again!) ......and my first problem came when I realised that 40lb weighs a lot more at the age of 36 than it does at 26.......!! Most of my training has been with 35lb so far and is going better than I could have imagined. Another thing I have noticed during my training is that my posture has improved.......I think the 35lbs on my back counteracts the 35lbs excess I have on the front and straightened me right up!

I will be keeping this site updated regulaly with how my training is going and pictures etc..........

If anyone would like to talk about corporate sponsorship, I would be more than happy to discuss me carrying your companies logo's on my clothing and bergen.....just let me know...shameless I know!!!

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Thanks again folks.........

Paul