Sweat and tears

They say women glow and men sweat. Well, last night, I think I was doing both. At the same time.

So appallingly knackered was I that, forget men and women, I was struggling with weights a four-year-old girl could probably handle.

In fact I'm sure I saw Mitch, my personal trainer at Virgin Active, writing 'little girl' on the little clipboard he carries around with him like an evil secretary.

Mitch, it seems, is a masochist.

In image terms he drove me to the edge of hell. Then, when we arrived, he said 'Yay, let's go sightseeing!'.

Yes, last night was a struggle. The biggest struggle I have had so far.

First up, and I think what did me for the rest of the hour-long session (it seemed like much, MUCH longer), was a run.

Now, I am no runner. My team mates on Real Papparazzi will vouch for that. In fact, I would prefer to take blunt spoons to my own eyeballs than run for more than two minutes. But Mitch, dear evil Mitch, had me on the treadmill for 15 entire minutes.

Not only that, but we did incriments of 1 minute at 8.5 kmph and then another minute at 12.5 kmph.

I did not last. At about 11 minutes I pleaded for mercy. I was allowed to walk for two minutes, before the speed was cranked up again.

Later we did a few weights and some more core work. Remember, nothing whatsoever to do with apples, or pears, or any other fruit for that matter. Apparently.

I was thoroughly exhausted by the end and I don't think I've sweated so much, certainly not in a gym, my entire life.

It's a good thing we reporters just make up quotes (we don't really!) because I've hardly been able to lift a pen all day.

Keyan

Guilt

I have always suffered from an over sensitive guilt gland. It can strike at any time. I feel guilty for the most stupid reasons.

I have a very vague recollection of stealing a penny sweet once. I felt so guilty I blurted my confession to my Mum who made me go back to the shop with her to perform my penance, sobbing into the owner's chewing gum stand.

It's a bit like my over sensitive nature, I can cry at adverts and songs. Secret Millionaire is a killer. I blame my mother for both. She burst into tears over a baked bean advert once. You probably know the one; where a man comes back from working, puts a tin of beans on the hob and kisses his children goodnight.

She was in bits.

Anyway, I'm getting carried away. My point was I haven't been to the gym since Friday and I'm feeling guilty.

After reading Jenni's post I don't feel quite so bad. Although I have not been swinging hammers, visiting her garden or even climbing worms. Or whatever it was.

Besides, I'm seeing Mitch tomorrow so he's bound to make me feel awful for another few days.

On another note, we (read Jenni and Sarah - I couldn't organise a drink at a brewery!) have organised a charity quiz night to raise further funds for our appeal.

Tickets are £6 each for the event which will be held at the University of Kent at Medway on Thursday, April 15.

Call the newsdesk on 01634 227803 to book your tickets.

Keyan

Base camp

And so it begins - £1500 to raise for CPC Kent, the highest mountains in the UK to climb and about eight weeks in which to get fit enough to climb them.

Three challenges, and I know which one I'm most worried about.

This morning I've eaten three jelly babies and a chocolate eclair. The sort of diet required? Probably not.

I'm also as thin as a rake. I caught sight of my legs in the mirror the other day and thought a hairy stork had managed to get in through the bedroom window. I struggled with the smallest weights in the gym when we went for photographs. The girls in the office have to help me open jars.

Things will have to change.

My first training session, with 'Mitch' at Virgin Active in Rochester is on Monday and I'm not looking forward to it. The gym is allowing us to use their facilities for the next two months for training free of charge. When we went for our photographs I caught Mitch training another woman (I forgave him) and she looked exhausted by the end of their hour. I dread to think what I'll look like.

We've had a lot of support so far but we need more.
Please sponsor us at www.justgiving.co.uk/messengerclimb

Keyan