I have set myself the challenge of running 5k every day for 100 days.

There are two reasons why I've decided to do this, but one that is my primary motivation that gives me the drive to pull my trainers on and pound the streets (treadmill, desert, etc.) every day...

1. Adam

Ultimately, I want to raise funds that might help save the life of a good friend, and an even better man. At the very least, my hope is that funds raised can help him gain as much extra precious time that he can with his young family.

Adam's story is better told by him than by me and is available on his own JustGiving page here (or on the BBC - here)

I first knew Adam when we were at primary school and both shared a mutual love of tennis. We'd often be found volleying to one another in each other's gardens, or better still, rackets slung over our bicycle handlebars and racing through town to the nearest courts for a few sets.

I cannot imagine the dizzying terror of receiving a pancreatic cancer diagnosis as both a recent husband and expectant father however, Adam's resolve to pursue every avenue available to rid himself of his disease has been inspirational.

His dedication to overcoming his cancer has exhausted the NHS and taken him to a number of countries for pioneering treatments. It must be tiresome, worrisome and demoralising.

He wears it well though, and outwardly at least appears upbeat, determined, even optimistic about his chances.

Regardless, it must be hell.

Now, one more opportunity has presented itself, one with a meteoric price tag attached to it. But what price would you put on a life?

Needless to say, I wanted to help with fundraising, and it felt like a one-off 10k or sky dive didn't really do the importance of the cause, nor the level of fundraising required, any justice. I also dont believe I’d be capable of a marathon or other long-distance exercise.

A sustained period of (what is for me) substantial effort seemed appropriate. The fact that this will also be a personal hell for me, also seems fitting.

2. Pushing My Edge

Everyone at my workplace has recently been challenged and empowered to push themselves to their limits.

'Pushing the Edge' is a philosophy that's seen Performance54 do extraordinary things, largely by believing the improbable, and in some cases the impossible, to be achievable.

As I was beginning to formulate the idea of some kind of physical endurance challenge to support Adam, it seemed fitting to wrap that together with pushing my own boundaries.

To emphasise how this is the case, I submit that I am 6'2 and 17 stone - lugging my body around any kind of distance under my own steam at anything beyond walking pace is a physical effort.

Over the past four and a half years I have also struggled with my mental health, and since moving to Yorkshire three years ago, I have become more reclusive, almost agrophobic, and less like the gregarious, charismatic, outgoing, extrovert I'm more familiar with.

Although it will be hard work, this challenge will get me out there, hopefully improve my mental health and maybe even help me shed a few pounds.

Wish me luck, and follow my progress on Strava (to prove I'm really doing it!) here.