Follow Mark as he prepared for one of the biggest challenges of his life
Newcastle to South Shields, UK
This is the story of me, Mark…
Let me introduce myself – I am Mark, a 56-year-old (55 when I started this back in July 2023) IT guy and new Organiser of the Jaguar Breakfast Club who hadn’t exercised properly since I left school in 1986. Nearly 40 years on, I am now training for one of the biggest challenges of my life, to take on the Great North Run on 8th September 2024.
It all began on Thursday 20th July 2023.
I knew I needed to lose weight and make some lifestyle changes so I asked a good friend, Chief Officer Ken (later to become Coach Ken), for some advice and support.
The following day I started on a new diet. Protein shakes and healthy food. Little did I know then, that this was not just a regular diet. Within a week it became clear this was the beginning of an entirely new lifestyle. New long-term goals were set. Fitness books were read. Barriers broken down. Determination at an all time high. Thirty one days in and I had lost my first stone (6.35kg) in weight.
By August it was then time to turn up the heat and the suggestion of joining a gym was raised. After some initial resistance – I had never stepped foot inside a gym, the idea was terrifying – and the words from Ken “just get over it”, I took a deep breath and signed up to my local JD Gym, Cleveleys, on 5th September. I’m now working through a programme with the help of Ken and my personal trainer Matty Schmid.
It was later in August that the idea of taking part in the Great North Run was raised – yet another goal to add to my growing list! I signed up to run for Bowel Cancer UK and received confirmation of my place on #TeamBowelCancerUK on 8th September 2023. Then on 29th September a package popped through my letter box – my official running vest!
The original plan was that Ken would run alongside me, having taken part in the Great North Run in 2018. Then he wasn’t able to. Then he had joined the waiting list for a place. Eventually, in July 2024, he was confirmed as having a place running for the MS Society.
Matty my PT will also be alongside me on the start line at the Great North Run.
How long he stays with me is another matter, but having my personal trainer with me on this day in my incredible journey – exactly 12 months since starting to train with him – will be special.
Throughout this journey, one phrase has been drummed into me… “Can’t is Won’t”. It serves me well. “Can’t” is not an excuse. When I’m struggling to complete reps and Matty the PT says “If you can’t do 15, just do 10” I am instantly triggered. My brain goes “Can’t is won’t” and I push through and complete the 15 reps. Yep, I have been brainwashed.
“Mark is absolutely killing it. He is discovering a better version of himself every single day. That’s a better version physically, mentally, and emotionally. His consistency and determination is absolutely incredible!”
Coach Ken November 2023
Ken has been instrumental in guiding me – from afar – from the very start, but another key member of the team is Matty Schmid – my personal trainer. Joining JD Gyms Thornton-Cleveleys in September 2023 was a daunting prospect but it was made easier by the friendly welcome of deputy manager Brandon when I went to sign up. The following day I met up with Matty and he’s been training me ever since. His expertise, support and patience made joining the Gym one of the best decisions I have ever made.
“Over the past 15 weeks with Mark I have seen an incredible amount of progression. I remember the first time he sat down with me and set out his goals and I knew from then on that it would be a very hard task, however Mark at the age of 55 has absolutely smashed it. From not even thinking about the gym 6 months ago to missing going to the gym over the Christmas period I have been incredibly proud of how it has turned out for him. This is just the start to Marks transformation and I can’t wait to see him smashing the Great North Run! All the best Mark💪🏻”
Matty the PT December 2023
On 20th January 2024 – just six months since starting this journey – I reflected on how it started, the support I have had along the way, how far I have come and being on the cusp of losing five stone in six months. Coach Ken summed it up perfectly…
“EPIC! The biggest battle you ever had was in your head. The self limiting beliefs. Now you are turning them around, and in to self reaffirming beliefs. You’re smashing it in the gym. Your diet is on point. You’re putting the time and effort in. Hard work pays off! You’ve got this!”
Coach Ken January 2024
I booked a holiday in March 2024 in Antalya, Turkey to coincide with roughly where I thought I’d reach my 40kg weight loss target. Weigh-in before flying out on 20th March had me about 0.5kg (1lb) away from my goal. But on my return – 8 months and 8 days since starting this journey – I hit my target weight of 70kg (11st) with a total weight loss of 40kg (6st 4lb) since 21st July 2023.
“Seriously impressive Mark. I am running out of superlatives to describe your efforts here. You’re a completely different guy! I’m proud of you mate!”
Coach Ken March 2024
From 46in to 30in waist
I was encouraged to take some photos on Day 1 to look back on as I progress, along with regular photos along the way.
It’s only when I look back on these photos that I am able to grasp exactly what I have been able to achieve.
These are my Jacamo jeans from September 2023 – 42in Waist! At the start, in July 2023, I was wearing 46in waist jeans.
Please support Bowel Cancer UK via my JustGiving page, as I prepare and train for the Great North Run 2024
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I owe so much to a chance meeting that introduced me to Ken back in March 2023.
The journey I have been on since July 2023 is a direct result of the friendship that followed.
This is life-changing! This is my story!
THIS IS MY STORY
My Road to South Shields, via Newcastle.
It is also a “work in progress” much like myself, so please bear with me whilst I get everything sorted and updated!
The Latest from Mark’s Blog
- The Main Event – Great North Run 2024
Wow… what an incredible day that was. It’s been quite an incredible 13+months, to be fair. - ParkRun #22
Saturday 31st August 2024 – my final ParkRun ahead of the Great North Run! The sun is out, the ParkRunners are gathering. And at 9.09am we were off on our way. The usual 2 laps around Stanley Park. A good steady pace. This close to the big event I didn’t want to push to hard but I was close to my personal best. 258 participants crossed the finish line, and I missed out on my personal best by just 28 seconds. Share this post - Blackpool Night Run
Wednesday 28th August 2024 – The Blackpool Night Run, in aid of Brian House Children’s Hospice. 7.5KM along the promenade under the world-famous Blackpool Illuminations. No cars. No bikes. Just 4,000 runners helping to raise much needed funds for this charity. This was going to be a great ‘appetiser’ ahead of the big one – the Great North Run – 11 days later and so I took the opportunity to sign-up my personal trainer, Matty Schmid from Active4You, to run with me. Matty is also joining me at the Great North Run on the 8th September and so it would… Read more: Blackpool Night Run