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“Yes, it does have hills. Terrible, quad-sapping, gravity-defying, monstrous hills. But then, that’s all part of the appeal as well.” - "Runners World" June 2000 <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-fareast-font-family: 'MS Mincho'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">“The Coniston 14 is HORRIFIC. All hills”.   RT, January 2011 <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-fareast-font-family: 'MS Mincho'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">"Mate, that is ABSURD".  OT, January 2011 What on EARTH have I done. I have REALLY bitten off more than I can chew this time.  As you are doubtless aware, I have become something of a fat pie-eating slob the last few years and the last time I broke into a trot was when running for the bus in 1994.  (Which is , coincidentally, also the last time I took the bus, but thats another story).  My (longwinded) point is that being 'persuaded' by Hayesy to go to the Lake District 10 weeks from now and run FOURTEEN MILES up hill and down dale is nothing short of madness. It is a stretch goal even stretchier than my elasticated waistband trousers. Having hopefully convinced you of the hill (literally) I have to climb, I want you to understand why I would put myself through this and why you should donate ALL of your hard earned cash. The reason is the BACK UP TRUST. This is a charity you have heard about from me previously, and it is one which is very dear to my heart. They do the most tremendous work transforming the lives of people who find themselves in wheelchairs after spinal cord injury. Every eight hours in the UK someone will be told they have a spinal cord injury, sustained through either accident or illness and leaving them permanently paralysed. The impact on an individual and their family can be catastrophic, especially if they don't get the right support. Specifically this year I want to raise money for their Under 18s project, which I suspect will touch your heart like it did mine. Back Up are trying to fund a number of initiatives aiming to help children in wheelchairs transform their lives. From outwards bounds courses, to mentoring, to reintegration at school, to support for parents, there is a tremendous amount to be done. There is much more to be said about this amazing, life changing, charity than I can do justice to here, and so I invite you to do a little lap of the website at your leisure. It is impossible not to be inspired I think. So, here we go. No more fat slob. This is by far the biggest physical challenge I have ever contemplated. The Coniston run is 14 miles (over 22k) of hilly terrain. It takes place on Saturday 31st March, giving me just 10 weeks to sort this out. I am terrified. Of the run. Of the training. Of failing miserably and being publicly humiliated. I went to a spin class yesterday which nearly killed me despite making no effort at all. I can't run more than a mile right now, and thats with a rest in the middle. But it will all be worth it if we can raise a significant amount of money for this amazing, life changing, charity. Thanks for listening.

Project FAT WIZARD

Project FAT WIZARD

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