January 31st

“Eat five a day, one of each colour,” is the great advice my friends-***-health experts have been giving me over the past few weeks.

When I was a lad it used to be enough to have an apple a day to keep the doctor away, but now they want me to have five pieces of fruit and veg a day. Where am I going to find the time?

I preferred the five curries a week rule, agreed between my stomach and my taste buds when I was 18.

So in a carefully thought-out plan to meet the quota of modern eating habits my fitness trainer and nutritionist have agreed for me to have one vegetable curry a day followed by a slice of orange.

Three weeks into training and apart from adjusting to the new food regime it’s been a struggle on the road as well.

My legs are not what they used to be.

Painful shin splints and sore knees have kept me from doing too much running, which is a problem because that is what doing the marathon is really about. I have been told I have to rest but my head tells me I should be running. It’s turmoil.  Is there anyone out there who can help?

Mr and Mrs Ibuprofen are getting sick of me calling on them all the time.

If I don’t find a solution before March I am just going to buy a pair of those kids’ trainers with wheels in them. With all the crowds I am sure no one will notice on the day.

The problem of not being able to run too far could become clear on Sunday when I take my first big stride towards the big day on April 13.

The Watford Half Marathon could be make or break for me. I better have an apple over the next few days.