Insanely, I'm running the Marathon des Sables in April of 2024. It's a multi-day staged 250km Ultra Marathon through the Sahara Desert in Morocco, often called the toughest footrace on earth.

It's also a completely self sufficient race, meaning with the exception of water, and the tent I'm staying in, I have to carry everything on my own back, including items such as an ANTI-VENOM pump in case I get bitten, all my own food and proof that I have insurance to repatriate my body back to the UK in the event of something unfortunate.

I've never run this far in a week before, my longest being in Canada at 160KM. This is going to be both a mentally and physically demanding event, and to that end, I've decided to train almost completely on my treadmill!

However, from January 1st and for the duration of my training, with the exception of a few (less than 5) notable exceptions in February, and March, I've decided to give up alcohol. It started out as an idea, that led to a real desire.

I've not been dry this long ever, yet when I learned about Alcohol Change, one of the two charities I'm supporting, I learned that any reduction in intake can improve mental health, physical health and help you avoid things like liver disease and some cancers.

With how demanding the race is I realized this would be a perfect challenge for me leading up to it, and would be good for my health as well.

I'm also raising funds for Wings for Life, a Spinal Cord Research Foundation, who are dedicated to finding a cure for spinal cord injury and funds both research and trials in this field.

To avoid confusion there are two separate fund raising pages that are clubbed together as a team, and you'd have to choose which charity to support.

Your contribution to either of these charities will help make a difference in improving the lives of those affected by spinal cord injuries or those those suffering the effects of alcoholism.

We can't all give lots, but lots of us can give a little and that will make a difference in the lives of so many people.