Charity

Barefoot and blistered...

Sometimes you get a really good idea...

And other times you decide to run a 5k, 10k, half marathon and full marathon within a 12 month period. Without running shoes. This is that kind of idea.

In 2011 I was given a copy of Christopher McDougall's Born to Run. As an on-again, off-again runner due to injuries, I was intrigued by the concept of barefoot running. But I also live in London, so that was never going to happen.

But I'm doing the next best thing; minimalist running. Sporting only a pair of Vibrams (see my picture!) between 1 May 2012 and 30 April 2013 I've set myself the goal of running at least one:

• sub-20 minute 5k;
• sub-50 minute 10k;
• half-marathon; and
• full-marathon.

Not all of these will be sponsored events, but one 10k, the half-marathon and the full-marathon will be. Then if I'm still alive, I'm aiming for the Royal Parks Foundation Ultramarathon in October 2013.

As you can see, I'm running on behalf of Mind, a charity that is very personal to me. I've battled depression on and off for most of my adult life. Running is one of the things that helps me cope. So what better way to help than to run on behalf of a charity at the forefront of helping to end the stigma of mental illness in this country.

Please consider chipping in a fiver (or more if you're feeling flush) and nudge me along towards my goal. If you're a UK taxpayer, then please remember to tick the Gift Aid option.

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