So, here we are - the training has begun and I can't feel my knees.

For the uninitiated among you, here's some background.

A while back, someone suggested doing next year's London Marathon. I agreed.

It then occurred to me that I can barely run to the end of the drive, so decided I needed to get in training. And what better way to train than take part in a 10K run? Take part in TWO 10K runs of course! On June 22, I will be taking part in the Run For All in Leeds, and two weeks later will be pounding the streets of London village.

The aim of this unprecedented level of physical activity is to raise money for the MS Society and MS Trust.

I was diagnosed with the condition in 2006, and having now read up on the whys and the wherefores of this incurable condition, I've decided that while I still have the use of my legs I should help my fellow sufferers.

So, dog in tow (the cats refuse to take part), I am in training for what promises to be a memorable, and probably painful, two weeks.

I prepared all the essentials well in advance. I got some nice new running shoes, loaded the iPod with essential jogging music (Velvet Revolver, Private Dicks, Midget, The Vow, Amelia, The Kills, Stone Temple Pilots and Aerosmith) and worked out a rough route (which I've yet to actually use).

So far, so good.

Then this morning we (Scamp and I) set out on my third jog of the week. It should be getting easier, but it seems to be getting harder. Of course, the bottle of wine I needed to get me through last night's Champions League quarter final against Arsenal probably wasn't ideal preparation, but it seems Uefa cares not a jot for my charitable endeavours.

Nor, it has to be said, does Scamp.

He can't quite grasp the concept of jogging. His idea is to set off at break-neck speed until an interesting smell passes his nostrils, at which point he slams the anchors on and we have to stop and investigate.

Now, this may allow me the chance to get my breath back but it doesn't do much for my shoulder. Or my knees. Fortunately The Woofster has the neck muscles of an ox, so he is entirely untroubled by the sudden yank on the lead.

So we need some ground rules here. I've thought about having a chat with him about what we're aiming to achieve here, but this would fall on deaf ears (literally), so I think we need to walk first then jog. This could also double as my warm-up exercises.

Standing staring at a fence while Scamp gives the post the once over also allows the mind to wander - and I've come to the following conclusions: - The Kills are not great to run to, if you slow down to their tempo you tend to fall over - Hills are not my friend - Some people's fences really need looking after - People who don't clean up after their dogs should be made to wash shoes for a week - I need some better earphones, as the ones I'm currently using are pink (the wife chose them) and prone to falling out - causing me to run along with a finger in my ear like an athletic folk singer - I need some more music Anyone who can help with suggestions to the last two can leave suggestions here.

I'm off to soak my knees in something soothing...

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