I'm running the Great North Run for The PFC Trust.

A mate of mine chairs the Trust and offered me a place, which I took before thinking too hard about it. They're a North East charity based in Hartlepool, backing the small community groups across the region who do a lot with very little. Proper local work and worth the effort.

The build-up has been a write-off. Started training in February. Did my ankle in March and lost six weeks. Back running in April, back playing 11-a-side in June, then tore my thigh in July and lost another four weeks. Spent August managing my knee and I've been nursing a hamstring for the last fortnight.

So I'm turning up having genuinely tried since February and having been knocked back three times. Whether I get round is alive is the real question.