Firstly - to be clear - I'm not exactly Marathon Material.  I've pretty much drunk beer and eaten kebabs for the last two decades.  Ros has fat shamed me in to running and I'm really not enjoying the training.

One thing that does motivate me it the great work the charity that I'm running for does.  The Outward Bound Trust is an educational charity that uses the outdoors to help develop young people from all walks of life.

The training has taken me on 18 mile runs through the pouring rain in north wales, 15 mile runs around reservoirs in storm weather in the midlands, and 21 mile muddy and cold runs around east London.  If Marathon day is BBQ weather, it's going to be tricky.

I'm lucky - most of the people reading this page are lucky.  I've had a tail wind behind me all of my life, but lots of kids haven't had the opportunities that we've had.  The Outward Bound trust helps these kids through the great outdoors.

They are able to run adventurous and challenging outdoor learning courses that equip young people with valuable skills for education, work and life. We help them become more confident, more effective and more capable at school, college and in the workplace.

So please support me, and The Outward Bound trust, by clicking 'donate' and giving whatever you can afford.

Many Thanks - Joe.