Hi Everyone. Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

I am being a total maniac and running in two races in the same week in May. The first is on 7th May and it is in Vermont, USA. The Tough Mudders event is a bizarre 10 mile mud run with 28 obstacles including something called Blood Bath and Funky Monkey. It looks very tough and in all likelihood will leave me a wreck. I will be doing this with a few of my buddies from the US, but also with Neil Houston, a colleague at IMCD.

On 15th May I run the Bognor Prom 10k. This is more gentle than Tough Mudders, but I may be carrying a knock or two to complete it!

I have been training hard for both and it has given me the push to go further, hence I am doing the Great North Run later this year and have entered the ballot for the London Marathon (fingers crossed).

The charity, Make-A-Wish Foundation UK does great work and it would mean a great deal to me if you would donate even a little to help the many very ill children get to do something they have only ever dreamed about.

I have left the standard gumpf at the bottom so you will know your donation is secure.

I will update from time to time on training and my general level of fear!

Hey everyone. I am just 2 weeks away from flying to US and training stops and competing begins. My weight has evened out at about 13st and I am strong and ready for the TM. Running has stopped being a problem. My left leg was sore for what felt like two months and my times had gone back up. However, it has calmed down now and I can comfortably run at my target time of 8 min/mile over distance and even 'sprint' a mile or two under 7 m/mile

I will begin training for the half-marathon a few weeks after completing this so I want to stay well and not overdo it again!!

Can't believe we're just a few short days from the Tough Mudder. We're nervous and excited.

I appreciate all your donations and I am positive Make-A-Wish are too.

Thanks all of you.     ALEN

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