Many of you will know that I have a habit, a condition if you like, that requires me to sign up for physically demanding activities and then back this up with minimal training. It is an approach founded on a total faith in my ‘natural fitness’ – a faith which looks increasingly forlorn as the years roll by. This half-marathon, an event I signed up to with just over three weeks to go before the race, could signal the end of the ‘natural fitness’ paradigm. I encourage you all to share this momentous occasion with me – the very last time I put on those running or cycling shoes without a total commitment to preparation, nutrition
and personal data or anything else that the field of sports science has proven over the past 20 years. This event could go well, or it could go badly – that’s the beauty of removing training from your training schedule – but it will be painful and I would be most grateful for any support you could give to persuade me that the pain is worthwhile.

So, to my charity....well, right now millions of children are in danger. They face violence, disease, hunger and the chaos of war. Unicef ensures more children get life-saving food, vaccinations, education and protection than anyone else. Today, children in places like Syria, South Sudan and Yemen are caught up in violent conflict, with millions forced to flee their homes. In 2015, Unicef responded to 310 emergencies in 102 countries. Please donate what ever you can to my fundraiser for Unicef UK. With your help, we can build a safer world for children.