54 year old Kevin Treweek from Eckington describes himself as a ‘big lad’ who is ‘not really built for running’ but when he was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes three years ago he knew he had to start getting active. He’s been jogging for the past 3 years with both Barlborough Gentle Joggers and Jog Eckington and recently completed his first 10k.
Jog Eckington leader Darren Ward says, "Kev did his first 10k in torrid conditions but due to his grit & determination HE DID IT!. Although his jogging is slow, his endurance is great. We are extremely proud of his achievement and we’ve even said we could have a slogan, ‘If Kev can, you can! Kev proves to anyone out there, that you can achieve anything, if you put your mind to it."
We talked to Kevin about the his experience of learning to jog...
I’d tried jogging before I was diagnosed but packed it up. I’d been swimming and to the gym a couple of times. One of the health trainers at Eckington was running the Jog Derbyshire Club at Barlborough so I started going out with the beginners. By last summer was was jogging twice a week and even sometimes going out by myself.
I'm not really built for running - Jog Derbyshire gave me the confidence
The group gave me confidence to do a 5k in June in Barlborough. I quite enjoyed it so I did a few others at Chesterfield, Rother Valley and Leeds but I never thought that I could do a 10k.
I’m quite a big lad, I’m not really built for running. They don’t even have my size tops in a running shop. I have to get get 4XL and shops don’t cater for runners of my size.
I thought - what am I doing here?
I saw the Southport MadDog 10k advertised in a running guide which said it was one of the best in the country. I went up for the weekend and booked a B&B but didn’t think I’d complete it. Everyone else on the starting line looked a bit fit and good. They were thinking about the time to beat. I was just stood there thinking ‘What am I doing here?’
It was quite windy on the sea front which made it hard work and cold and I thought ‘I’m not going to do it, I can always pull out’ But I wanted to finish because I didn’t think I’d ever have the courage to do another one again.
Crossing the finish line was a proud moment.
It took me two and a half hours. Before I did it I doubted whether I should do it or not but now I know I can do it. The organisers were fantastic, encouraging you and pulling you through it. I’ve got great memories of Southport - of people applauding me - it psyches you up and I now can’t see myself ever packing it up. I’ve put in for a 10k in Dronfield in a couple of weeks.
Running has spurred me on. The bad weather does put me off - it’s not good when you’re waiting to get going and you’re cold but when you get back, it’s a great feeling and I like the challenge. I could do more in the summer. The bad weather puts me off. In the summer I’ll run 3 times a week. Some weeks I feel a bit guilty because I’ve not gone out but I’m determined to do it. You do need a bit of fire power.
Running is hard work - you need the encouragement
I do need Jog Derbyshire’s help because I do lose my way. I wish I was more self-motivated and could run on my own but I can’t on a long-term basis. Jog Derbyshire is a good idea because running is hard work - it’s harder than swimming which you can go and do gently. You do need that encouragement - especially on a 10k.
I’m a van driver so the exercise is good for me when I’m in the van all day. The doctor’s pleased because I’m on medicines to reduce my blood pressure and they told me doing sports and loosing weight can help me. I can’t cure my diabetes but I can control it. That’s the only option I’ve got.
Jog Eckington with Darren Ward: Every Tuesday from 18:00 until 19:00 from Eckington Swimming Pool. Find out more...
Barlborough Gentle Joggers with Sharon Bache: Every Tuesday from 19:00 until 20:00 from Barlborough Country Park. Find out more...
