Medway Messenger assistant news editor Lee Winter has put the infamy of May's ping pong tournament defeat behind him and is now setting his sights on the Medway Mile event taking place at the Black Lion Leisure Centre, Gillingham on Sunday, July 27. Between now and the race he will be posting regular updates on his progress to running for more than 10 minutes without ending up in casualty. *No muscles were pulled in the writing of this blog.

Friday, July 25 - Postscript

There have been mutterings of quality control over the video. Think my sweaty mid sprint mumblings may be too much for those of a sensitive nature.

I'm waiting on word from experts to see what, if anything, can be salvaged.

As a final word thought it would be good to mention some of the arrangements for Sunday's race, even though I er won't be there.

It all kicks off at noon in the grounds of the Black Lion with a free inflatables session and other activities designed to get more people to think sport.

Several Medway clubs, including Black Lion Plus and the Medway Touch Rugby team, will be in attendance hoping to attract a few more members.

The Medway Mile event gets underway at 3.15pm with the elite masters race followed by the seniors at 3.30pm and a mass aerobic warm-up at 3.50pm.

More than 700 people are already registered for the main run at 4pm. A tent will be somewhere on the field for people who leave mile running to the last minute.

For those expecting to be at the front this weekend I've added a link to a map of the route below. It'll be chaos if you head off in the wrong direction.

Click here to avoid getting lost

3pm The Final Entry

Well I made it around and if I can, there’s definitely hope for you. Thanks to excellent pace-setting by Helen, Medway Council’s deputy Olympic guru, we were able to keep within a mile of the other four putting in their final Medway Mile practice.

They got around in around six minutes. We were a mere two minutes behind coming in at what they call, in jogging circles, a sub-10 - 8.43.

We even did an extra sprint for the benefit of the proposed video, after the speed of our original attempt came out all blurred. Definitely improved on last year when I collapsed at the end moaning about chasing scarecrows. From memory I did it in about 12 minutes last time.

This is probably my last post so for the 700 people due to take part this weekend, the very best of luck.

Don’t forget to do your stretches, drink plenty of water and take a safety rope in case the exit gate at the Black Lion is locked and you need to clamber over.

Come back later for the video performance. Not sure it counts as ground breaking journalism but probably entertaining in a screen test blooper sort of way.

Thanks for reading.

Thursday, July 24

Disaster. It's the Medway Mile this here Sunday, but I won't be there. Amanda and Laura were supposed to be getting wed - or civil partnered in Lambeth speak - on Saturday. Their exchanging of rings is in fact taking place at the same time as the much heralded Sunday runabout.

After six weeks of mostly mental preparation I am determined to still do it and later today I will be joining the Medway Milers - who have been running the mile long course every day for the last six weeks - for my 10 minute puffing cheek epic. Who knows I may even get that last slot in Team GB for next month's Bejiing Olympic Games. Sorry Dwayne.

Come back later for full report, including possibly a video, if I can get the thing to work.

Tuesday, July 22

It’s the final week of this blog and thoughts are already turning to my fitness regime once the Medway Mile is over and the paramedics say it’s safe to attempt to walk again.

I have already tentatively signed up to the tag form of rugby each and every Wednesday evening, at least until it starts raining. An early request has also gone in for one of those Wii console things that shatter slimline illusions and help one to spring about with abandon without leaving the sofa.

But these may well be cast aside if I can lay my hand on a suitable steed, a mace and some knight wear (as in armour not wooly jumpers). I’m thinking of becoming a jouster.

I discovered the ancient art at the weekend in the grounds of Warwick Castle. It’s brilliant and looks simple and relatively inexpensive. All you need is some dated clothing, of which I have plenty, some sort of pony or failing that a clothes horse and a long pole. I reckon I can get away with using the telescopic section of me anti cyclonic suction hoover.

It must be easier than this running lark. Six weeks in and I’m still struggling with getting my headphones to stay in as I attempt to stay the course. How are you supposed to get up a rhythm when the ear pod style devices keep popping out mid-stride and cheesy 80s verse?

The final straw came during Meatloaf's A Bat Out of Hell. I was building up to a sprint when one earpiece sprung out. Reaching for the escaping ear piece I nearly walloped a passing dog walker called Stefan, who looked like he had just been for a long stretch himself..at Belmarsh.

Come the weekend I will be looking for anyone to blame if I fail to cross the line before the scarecrows. A certain electrical retailer is being added to the list.