Age has a way of sneaking up on us, and as I stand on the threshold of 51, reflections on life and its inevitable end have become more frequent. One morning, amidst thoughts of the Grim Reaper's not-so-distant visit, I was struck by a realisation: I had a choice to make.

1. Succumb to despair, indulge in an endless cycle of cake consumption, and wait for the inevitable, or

2. Start eating muesli and avocado, lace up my running shoes, and metaphorically (and perhaps, literally) outrun my fate.

Thus, in December 2023, I embarked on a journey completely foreign to me—I began to run, but with a monumental goal in sight: a 75km Ultra Marathon - a distance which, even today, I still consider only traversable by car.

While the motivation for this feat might seem personal, it's deeply connected to a cause close to my heart. My wife is deeply involved in hedgehog rescue, and though I'd love to claim I'm running solely for her, the truth is a bit pricklier. After feeding milk to a tiny baby hedgehog, I found myself enchanted by these creatures.

My endeavour supports the charity where my wife volunteers, a charity which also commandeered my man-cave for a noble cause: transforming it into a hedgehog rehabilitation centre.

I'm reaching out to you not just as potential donors, but as partners in this journey. Your support won't just aid in hedgehog conservation; it will also fuel my resolve as every step, blister, and moment of chafing will be endured with the knowledge that, if I give up, there's a formidable force of hedgehog enthusiasts who have paid good money to save hedgehogs - and to see me suffer.

Please consider donating. Together, we can safeguard these precious creatures and perhaps, add a few more running days to my calendar before the reaper catches up. Thank you for your support, and for joining me in this (mis)adventure.