In early 2023, I felt really unhealthy; and heavy. I realised I was struggling to run for the bus or tie my shoelaces; I started getting the odd pain/cramp; and at my annual health check every indicator headed South. I'd let my health and fitness slide; made worse by COVID removing my daily cycle to the office. For a man in his late 40s, this trend tends not to end well - I had a decision to make. So in February 2023, I started a new health, fitness and weight loss 'journey'. I know it’s a crap word - but it was a sharp sudden change to diet; first; and as my ability to exercise began to improve as my weight came down - to really ratchet up the CV exercise. There’s now (*gingerly steps on scales*) 28% less of me; and going from the cliche’d couch to 5k runs (thank you, ParkRun!) and 10ks are now regular - and I can do those without stopping!

In 2023 we also lost the brilliant flash of colour in our lives that was Richard Allsop (known to a few of us as 'Junior', unimaginatively to differentiate him from Richard ['Senior'] in the group). He was so strong on fitness, running his great small business as a PT and company Spinder (which held LGBT+ community spinning sessions that now continue in his legacy). At just 42, he was suddenly and cruelly taken from his husband Luke, family and friends due to an undiagnosed condition that led to a heart attack while he was working out. A mutual friend Jo Miller ran the London Marathon for Rich, raising money for the British Heart Foundation.

So I had a thought… I wanted to increase my running distance to take on a proper half-marathon, with a training programme to break through 10 miles on the way to the 13.1 mile/21km distance; I needed to get my weight down further by having a target before my 50th birthday which looms almost as much as my weight did. Jo ran for Rich to raise funds for the BHF, so why don’t I shamelessly copy her? And challenge myself, in Rich’s memory.

On Sunday, 1st September, I’m therefore running 'The Big Half' for the British Heart Foundation. It's basically half of the London Marathon course, in reverse. I want to take the baton (well, the Spinder rainbow fan) from Jo, even if it’s half her distance.

I will run in cherished memory of Rich; I will raise some extra £££ for BHF to do more heart research, create new treatments and discover new cures - and maybe prevent someone else needlessly facing what Rich, and those who love him, went through. £24 apparently funds 2 hours of research by a high-achieving early-career scientist in a pristine white coat - and with a week to go, my total from all sources is now £960. By my maths that’s 3 full hard weeks of him or her working intensely through a microscope. And I’m a tough boss, so that’s no lunch break - get the cure, doc!

Thanks for reading this, and esp to those who’ve sponsored; you are all total legends. The training is done. Like a kid before Christmas, everything is laid out and ready for the morning. I now need to tie my shoelaces without getting breathless, don my worryingly small BHF running vest and get to that start-line. I will race for Rich, and get to the end - lighter, healthier - and doing something worthwhile.