Jim In Training
The Breakfast Show's Producer Jim is running the Manchester 10k... but how will he get into shape? Get the latest updates here...
How do you turn a broken, unfit, KFC obsessed mess into an athlete in 10 weeks? Quick answer - you can’t. Long answer – That’s the job of listener Jennie, who contacted the Breakfast Show and offered to get Jim around the 10k of course with just over 2 months of training without landing him in a hospital bed.
THE RUN
So, I’ve done it and weirdly it wasn’t all that bad. My target time, 50 mins.
And here is how I did…
3k Time: 00:15:45
5k Time: 00:25:19
7.5k Time: 00:37:13
Finish Time: 49:05
...in other words, thanks to a late spurt, I made it... Just. Remember you can still pledge money to Marie Curie Cancer Care, who I was running for, at www.jutsgiving.com/gloablradio and if you want to get involved in a run of your own then check out www.greatrun.org.
Week 10 – It's Here!
So, that’s it. The run is here! In just a couple of days I’ll be running 10k around Manchester. I’ve got to say, I’m feeling pretty good about it. My target time of 50mins is certainly achievable... just. I’m certainly in better shape than I was 10 weeks ago and that’s all down to Jennie at www.anatomymanchester.co.uk – so fair play!
Check out the route below (Mr Clint Boon is DJ-ing at the 5k mark). Wish me luck.
Week 9 – 1 Week To Go!
Its only one week to the 10k and I have to say I’ve been feeling pretty good about all my training - but Mike spotted a small problem. Yes, the Xfm Manchester Breakfast Show has been treated to all the news on my journey to fitness and, it would seem, I have undertaken my training and exercise in the way of a model professional. However, this would seem not to sit too well with my lifestyle of nights out and takeaway. So he got Jennie from Anatomy in Chorlton (who has been guiding me through this whole training lark) to dish the real dirt on my performance.
Weeks 7 and 8
Seven weeks in and it's all getting a little bit scientific at the Xfm Sports Academy. So, week 7 was a bit of a wash out – the Achilles problem that almost meant I was never going to do the run flared up again and needed some attention at the Anatomy Manchester clinic. But, that also gave me a chance to consider the important things in life… Music!
It's no secret that my motivation has wavered sometimes while mid-run and an 8k training session has become a 2k jog, but never underestimate the power of music. Maybe a Stone Roses classic can give me a kick around the 5k mark, perhaps a Killers tune can propel me off the staring line or even maybe a Tom Jones tune will help me over the line? Mike asked the Breakfast Show audience what their ultimate motivational tune was and I was tasked with trying them for size.
The task? I had to run 20x200m sprints each with a different song playing in my ears – and trainer Jennie shouting in the background. So how did it go? Check the results for yourself...
Lap Time Song
2 32.2 Tom Jones – Delilah
1 32.3 Survivor – Eye of the Tiger
20 32.8 Jennie Shouting!
19 33.1 Reverend and the Makers – Heavyweight Champion of the World
3 33.4 Air Traffic – Never Even Told Me Her Name
9 34.2 Foo Fighters – Everlong
11 34.2 Kasabian – Fast Fuse
5 34.3 Benny Hill Theme
14 34.3 Maximo Park – Our Velocity
10 34.4 Glasvegas – Come Back Home
15 34.8 Motorhead – Ace of Spades
6 35.0 Cast – Finetime
16 35.1 Nirvana – Smells Like Teen Spirit
13 35.2 Stone Roses – Loves Spreads
17 35.3 Primal Scream – Come Together
7 35.4 Doves – Pounding
12 35.4 The Killers – Mr Brightside
4 35.5 Basement Jaxx – Where’s Your Head At?
18 35.9 R.E.M. – Everybody Hurts
8 39.5 Elbow – Leaders of the Free World
Week 6
It turns out that getting fit isn’t all about hitting the tarmac and sweating in the gym. So week session of my training for the Manchester 10k was all about ‘Core Strength’… It's not all about six packs and abs - apparently there are loads of different muscles that stabilise the spine and pelvis and run the entire length of the torso. Improving my core strength should help my general fitness and maybe solve some of my aches and pains too. Watch this space.
Also, I got Jennie to demonstrate some simple core strength exercises in this video.
Please note! Don't try any of these exercises without first consulting a proper fitness instructor or a doctor. Xfm accepts no responsibility for any injuries caused by trying these exercises without correct supervision.
Week 5
5 weeks in and half way to the big day – which is half-comforting and half nerve-racking! On one side; in 5 weeks I can go back to fried chicken and cold lager and on the other side; in 5 weeks I need to get around the Manchester 10k track in under 50mins.
This week personal trainer Jennie from Anatomy Manchester in Chorlton (or fit Jennie as Mike insists on calling her) took me back to the track for a running session – 8 sprints of 600m with 200m cool down and it went… ok. But when chatting to Mike about it on the Breakfast Show I may have landed myself in hot water. Next week could be a nightmare.
Listen To How Jim's Getting On
Week 4
Week 4 of my attempt to get fit for the Manchester 10k and, I’ll be honest, I lost my motivation this week. After last weeks pitiful interval training at the track I found it hard to drag myself to the gym and so, when my next session with Jennie at Anatomy Manchester in Chorlton came around I had the tough job of telling her I’d not done my homework. My punishment? A 10k run.
Click here to listen to how I got on.
And if you want to check out the route then click the image (it's also a really handy way of planning your own run route).
Week 3
I think by the time week 3 of my training rolled around, I was being punished for my late show a week earlier. I met Jennie at Longford Park and was faced with a 400 meter running track. Pain and suffering were sure to follow. Here’s how I got on.
This week's homework…
1 x 21min Run alternating between 1min @ 10.5kmph and 1min @ 13.5kmph
1 x 7km Run alternating between 1km @ 10.5 kmph and 1km @ 13kmph
If you want to find out more about Jennie and what she does, see www.anatomymanchester.co.uk.
Week 2 – Core Stability and Speed Training
Its week two and Core Stability and Speed Training are on the menu today. But, its not a good start – I turn up 20mins late and get disapproving looks and a slightly shorter session than usual (bonus). This week its ladder training (kind of like a fast complicated hop-scotch) and working on Core Stability (in other words I’m a bit wobbly in the middle). I still think that the chance of getting me around 10k in 50mins is as likely as a Stone Roses reunion but I’ll give it what I can.
Homework Week 2
Only 2 weeks in and already I’m being given homework. I need to practice my core exercises and I need to get to the gym twice this week...
Visit 1: 20mins Interval Running. 1min @ 10.5kmph, 1min @ 12.5kmph.
Visit 2: 6km Run. 1km @ 10.5kmph, 1km @ 12.5kmph.
God help me.
Week 1 – Taking it Easy
The training starts and the hard slog towards fitness has begun. First things first though… Jennie needs to know where Jimbo is in terms of fitness levels and what the plan is over the next few weeks… and finish off with a nice relaxing (?) massage!
Listen to the audio here
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