Essex Life

The race is so close now, I can almost feel the mud between my toes…and my fingers, in my hair, in my mouth and up my nose! I'm still looking forward to it but slightly nervous now, mostly about the horrific cold I'll undoubtedly contract afterwards!

Over the last couple of weeks it's been hard to train properly as I've been so busy with sorting out things for Christmas. I've tried to get to the gym when I can but I'm down to around one or two visits a week now, nowhere near the daily visits that I was putting in before my fingers got injured.

It's been a shame not to be able to go to football every week as well - the chances are I'd be fine, but then I only need to be knocked over once and put my hands out to break my fall, and I'd set myself back around 4 weeks of recovery time on my fingers.

As the big day approaches, I'm debating what to wear for it. Not to make any kind of fashion statement - I'm going to be covered in mud after all! I was debating over whether to wear a wetsuit to protect myself from the cold, but I figured I'd probably spend the rest of the day cleaning off the mud before I gave it back.

In the end I think I've settled on shorts and t-shirt (less resistance you see), very old trainers that I never want to see again, a wooly hat and some kind of comedy ears to pick me out amongst the crowd!

The ears may well find themselves at the bottom of the River Chelmer, trampled into mud and never to be seen again, but you've got to make the effort I suppose!

Sponsorship has gone very well, I've raised over £200 so far but there's a few days left if anyone else wishes to pledge some money. I just want to get it over with now so that I can indulge a bit at Christmas, but I guess I'll have to save the chocolates and alcohol until the New Year.

Still, all things considered, I think I'll look back on it in years to come as a fun event. There's going to be thousands of people watching which will be a fantastic sight to see - if you're in the vicinity on the 30th then please come along and give me a cheer!