Mark's marathon adventure

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He drinks the odd pint, is a little overweight, and works in an office. In fact, he's pretty much your typical London lad.

But for New Year, Mark Brittain has abandoned alcohol altogether, gone on a diet and is running the 26.2-mile London Marathon for The Royal Marsden Cancer Hospital.

Following in the paths of celebs including Kylie and super-slim Geri Halliwell, Mark has joined a hi-tech gym in plush Kensington - Holmes Place, no less - and hopes to fulfil his agonising ambition of getting fit enough to complete the gruelling run. His friends say he can't do it. But he says he can. This is London aims to find out who's right!

We follow Mark from Week 1 all the way up to the big day on April 14, with a personal diary of his training, revealing the emotional and physical strains he has to forgo! Forget Bridget, read Mark Brittain's Diary...

Mark's personal profile.

The new diet and losing weight.

His Australian trainer: Ryan Wilkin.

The grand plan.

WEEK 1
Thurs Jan 10
Went for a 4 mile run through Kensington Park. This was my first run and the pace was much faster than I was used to. We managed to do it in about 45 minutes even though it rained. Afterwards I could hardly walk and it made me very worried about how much I have to do. Ryan the trainer seemed less concerned, and appeared confident that he would be able to get me through it.

Friday Jan 11
Had a picture taken of my my body today. The machine produces a 3D image of my entire body, not a very pretty site but the new equipment at Holmes Place in Kensington is designed to tell you exactly where your body needs to be improved. I was very lucky, because it's not availbable to the public.

Sunday Jan 13
Did my own 40 minute run in Richmond park, I found this very hard, and my left knee began to hurt which was frustrating, and didn't appreciate the hills!

Mon Jan 14
I did the same run as last Thursday and this time found it a bit better and managed to do it in 40 minutes, which I was pleased with. The knee was still hurting but Ryan has shown me some stretches for this, which appear to be working.

Tues Jan 15
Today's run was not as smooth as the Monday evening run. My breathing is very erratic at the moment, which makes it harder.

Wed Jan 16
I set off at 7.00am! This gym session proved to be the toughest yet. Starting with the rowing machine and then moving onto lunges and squats, it was incredibly difficult and I think it's going to take a while to get the hang of it. I did some more leg work and shoulder work before the dreaded sit ups. This is going to be the area that I need to work on as my gym experience to date is very limited, and combined with such an early start was rather a shock to the system. Oh well, here's to next week. Only another three months before I can have a drink again!

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Holmes Place, 0800 106050, www.holmesplace.co.uk.