About Me

In July of 2004 I weighed about 40kg more than I do now, and I’d been overweight for the previous 20 years of my life. By June of 2005 I had lost about 24 kg by sensible eating and increasing the amount of exercise I took – primarily walking and cycling. I wanted to lose a bit more, but started to find it really tough, hitting a plateau – big time. I joined a gym and started a 6 month plan with a personal trainer – this helped a little, but not a lot. My PT kept telling me I should run, but I had never been a runner, and didn’t think I could do it. However, he persisted (as they do) and I decided to try – it was oh so hard at first (run a few steps, die a little, run a few more), but gradually I got addicted.

In 2006 I completed my first half marathon, in 2007 I completed my first marathon and in 2008 I completed my first triathlon. I hope John Bingham doesn’t mind me using his quote on my blog header, because I think it is so apt for me.

In April of 2007 I bought myself a new road bike which has reignited my boyhood love of cycling and I am finding that an excellent training activity now too!

I have found keeping a training log, and tracking my progress helpful, and have also found the interaction with the wonderful group of runners at the Ausrun forums an inspiration. Seeing so many of them blogging, and really enjoying reading their blogs, I thought that for 2007, blogging about my progress might also give me a bit more impetus. Since I have been participating in blogland I have been inspired by so many different people, from all over the world, and keeping my blog active has certainly added to my own incentive to maintain the healthy lifestyle that I aspire to.

Name: Andrew
Age: 50
Family status: Married to Adrienne (27 years), two wonderful kids, Chris (23) & Kate (20).
Work: Information Technology manager for large multi-national company.
Location: Melbourne, Australia.
Things I love: My family, my Jack Russell terrier “Jackie”, running, riding my bike, swimming and general fitness activities, coaching basketball, reading, listening to music and watching TV.
Favourite music: Pink Floyd, Status Quo, Bad Company, Blondie, Deep Purple, Sex Pistols, ACDC, Cranberries, Katie Melua, Joe Satriani, Leanne Kingwell, The Angels, David Bowie, Queen, Martha Wainwright.
Favourite TV shows: The Bill, Rockwiz, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Law & Order SVU, Alias, Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Office (UK & US versions), Extras, Little Britain, CSI NY, Bones.