27 January 2012
The opening sentence of his first blog entry reads: ‘My name is Andy. I like cakes, and sweets, and pies and buns, and just about everything that is bad for you.’
Yet this year Andy O’Neil, who works in IT support for Epsom, Sutton and St Helier hospitals, will be rivalling the dedication and commitment of this summer’s Olympic heroes by facing down a monster challenge of his own.
Andy explains: "I weigh 21 stone and have recently had a few problems with my heart. Not long ago I realised I could barely walk the mile it took to get to work. Next year I will run a marathon.
"I did the Thames Bridges Bike Ride only two years ago, which involves 33 miles of cycling, but after that I just stopped. My fitness levels have worsened since then, so I felt the need to give myself a tangible target – hence the marathon.
"It’s going be tough, no doubt I’ll experience a few highs and lows, but I need an ambitious goal to really motivate myself to get fit and improve my heart health. Whilst I’m at it, I’ll also be raising a few bob for charity along the way.
"However I end up going about it, the bottom line is that I’m really excited – this journey I’m embarking on could be a life-changer."
A keen sports photographer who specialises in action shots of American Football and polo, Andy believes that he has, until now, erroneously subscribed to the notion that ‘if you can’t be an athlete, be an athletics supporter.’
"I kicked off my training regime on 9 January 2012 with a mile and a half jog, of which I probably walked one and a quarter miles. All the same, it’s a start; as the saying goes, ‘a journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.’
"Everybody’s been so supportive, from my colleagues at work to Ian Ellis, the coach of the Sussex Thunder American Football team, who has even floated the idea of taking part in some of their training sessions when I’m a bit further down the line."
