So the clock is officially ticking...... in less than 48 hours time I will have completed 8.2 miles and be tucking into a celebratory pasty. I really think that’s the way to go to inspire better performances from athletes. Perhaps a Belgian Bun dangling at the end of the 100m straight. That would have done it for me. Then I would have been able to better my PB for the 200m at school, which stands at a colossal 43 seconds (in mitigation I fell over at the start and someone ran into my lane – but apart from that I could have been a contender).....

Such is my commitment to all things athletic, I haven’t even opened the envelope with my chip and number in. I shall leave that until Sunday morning on the way to the race....when I shall promptly discover there’s been a terrible mistake and I have been entered for the 16 mile version. Oh dear. Still at least I could probably do it, after a week of gentle training and plenty of outdoor family activity..... I did my final run on Tuesday. A nice 3 miles in the gym. I did flirt with the idea of doing another run later in the week, but I figured it might be best to save my legs..... I can’t believe I have actually used that phrase with a straight face.

Other than that I have been racing around after chocolate powered small people, while also doing a spot of work as well. Yesterday it was a delightful jaunt to Kew Gardens where there were two mums and 7 children.....gosh that was brave wasn’t it? But it reminded me once again how much kids love being outdoors. They can occupy themselves for hours with a complicated game involving a leaf. And they run around for hours. All good stuff and super healthy, it was marvellous. Speaking of super healthy, I'd better go and start doing some preparatory stretches for Sunday, the weather forecast for which is scorchio..... so wish me luck chums. I have a race plan...... it involves errr finishing.... that’s it. If you are competing on Sunday do come up and say hello, but preferably not while April and I have a mouthful of pasty......