Hello folks,

As you may or may not be aware my 8-year-old son, Douglas, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when he was only 5. In the 3 years since I have learnt to appreciate just how much hard work goes into helping people with this condition, and how much research is required to hopefully find a cure. At any given time, hundreds of Diabetes UK-funded researchers are engaged in projects committed to improving the care and treatment of diabetes, preventing it from developing in those at risk and, ultimately, finding a cure.

As with everything these days, all this works requires funding, so I am doing my small contribution by taking part in the Bupa Great Manchester Run 2011 on 15 May.

Last year Ethiopian world record holder Haile Gebrselassie took part. I’m hoping that he has postponed his retirement to take part again this year as I have based my “run plan” on him.

Haile is a quick starter so I’ve decided to nestle in the chasing pack until we hit the 5k mark. At this point I will make my presence known by running off Gebrselassie’s shoulder. At the 7k I will lift the pace just to test whether he still has the heart for the fight, before ending with a crescendo with a surprise strong sprint finish.

It is a faultless plan, but if it doesn’t come off I will probably settle for survival.

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