Ironically I write most of these running blogs with a beer in hand. I find the liquid lubrication gets the old cogs whirring.

It was at some point during my last blog that the alcohol must have taken me over the edge.

I wrote, nay promised: "This week I'm planning to run a full 10K. The course has been plotted and it's time I put this ageing body through a bit of pain to see how it reacts."

I've backed myself into a corner. With eight weeks to go before the big race, I'm going to have to tackle the full distance.

I'm looking at it as my annual MOT. Let's hope I don't fail on a spare tyre.

I plot the course on my iphone - exactly 10K - and I'm ready for the off.

I've even prepared a special playlist of music to listen to - you know the type of true inspirational and motivational classics: Don't Stop Me Now (Queen), Blue Monday (New Order), Viva La Vida (Coldplay) and S-express from S-express.

The only problem is Brother Beyond's The Harder I Try (Stock, Aiken and Waterman at their best) has not only made it on the playlist once ... but SIX times.

That's six of my 20 songs are Brother Beyond!

Off I go, running the first section downhill. A mile completed, says my iphone, and I'm feeling of energy.

The second and third miles take me through Towneley Park, and after a lap around the stately home, I'm heading for the exit on Todmorden Road.

It's uphill now for about a mile, and I dig deep for the first three-quarters, looking at the ground all the way.

I make the mistake of glancing up, and see a hill ahead of me so steep even the Grand Old Duke of York and his 10,000 men would have baulked at.

My brain goes into panic mode, and although my legs are determined to drag this body up the hill, they unwillingly stop running.

Why does this happen? It's much tougher psychologically that physically.

I have to walk the next 600 metres up the hill. I feel gutted that I've stopped, but it feels tough just walking on this incline.

I finally reach the summit (Sherpa Tenzing was there, planting a flag).

I've got two miles to go now, and most of it on a straight road.

This gives me the impetus I need, and surprisingly make the fifth mile comfortably.

A mile to go, and the only obstacle now is Brother Beyond - they've been on four times so far on the playlist shuffle.

I keep a steady pace, and only seem to slow when I have the finishing point in sight. It's like the man in the desert seeing a mirage of an oasis - somehow you can only crawl there no matter how desperate you are.

Brother Beyond comes on again. Arrggghhhh!

I can't muster anything. No sprint finish, just a steady jog to the end.

BUT I'VE DONE IT!

I've completed the full 10K, and run all the way except for the 600m uphill section.

I stop the iphone, and it gives me my time.

54 minutes 5 seconds.

I'm chuffed.

I hate running, but for those few moments the sense of achievement I feel makes me want to run a marathon.

I now know I can last the distance, but what was the damage?

Well, the next day I felt so stiff I could hardly walk.

I couldn't even manage a dance ... to Brother Beyond.