Sometimes, sources of inspiration are on your doorstep.

One of the people at my work is a guy called Stephen.

Stephen is a unique character. He is never short of a story, is always friendly and happy around the office, and he is someone that personifies the spirit of never believing it is too late to start something new.

Despite being what some might describe as a member of ‘the older generation’ (he has just turned 60 and proudly holds a Freedom Pass), Stephen has not let the opportunities of life slip him by. Let me give you a couple of examples.

At 50, despite never having ridden a motorbike before, Stephen bought a Harley Davidson. While waiting for the bike to arrive at the showroom, he learnt how to ride, got his license, and when the Harley was ready to pick up, he successfully drove the bike home.

And just this year, a burning desire to learn guitar was finally realised, with Stephen starting guitar lessons once a week and putting to use the Fender he bought a few years earlier.

Too often I hear people say that it is too late to start this, or too late to do that.

To them I say – it is NEVER too late!

And for the thousands of Stephens out there that are living proof of this, thanks.

Month completed: September 2009

When I was growing up, we had the 1983 book of Guinness World Records.

In that book was a record for a lady who ate the most baked beans in one minute.

The conditions were that she had to eat them one at a time, and pick them up off the plate with a toothpick.

Being a baked bean fan, I thought this record seemed easy to break. I never broke it though.

But this book, which I loved reading cover to cover, spurned my interest in one day being part of a world record.

And finally, on the same day that I complete my half-marathon, I was also part of a world record.

That record was for the most people in one place dressed up as fruit. Bananas specifically.

There were over 200 of us there, and the world record was secured after we had huddled together for 15 minutes.

Strangely, that 15 minutes was spent doing stretches being run by two of the Gladiators from the UK TV Gladiators series. One of them was Doom (see below), who looked like he was quite keen to be surrounded by a bunch of bananas (yes, nice play on words, I know).

Next plan is a world record that I achieve on my own, but for now, I am proud to say that I am a world record holding banana.

Month completed: September 2009

This goal has been one of the toughest so far.

But one of the most rewarding.

After two months of training, I ran, and completed, the Run to the Beat half-marathon in south London last Sunday, in a time of 2 hours, 19 minutes.

Which is a great time, I think.

Considering I ran the race dressed as a banana!

Yes, a banana.

As part of running for Leukaemia Research, they gave me, and 200 other people, a banana suit to run in.

Being a hot day, and running in a banana suit, is not a good combination, but I was determined not to walk the race, and was very pleased that I got through the race without walking at all.

I felt terrible afterwards, and my legs have only just recovered, but it was definitely worth it.

I raised £450 for Leukaemia Research in the process (you can still donate here) which was a nice addition to this goal.

Would I run another one? Yes. But not for a year or two. And definitely NOT in a banana suit!