FOLLOWING my cheesy escapades towards the front pages of last week’s Guardian, I’ve decided perhaps marathon running to raise money was the wrong choice.

It was great to meet the lovely nurses from St Rocco’s, who probably got more than they bargained for on a Friday morning as I stripped off to don short shorts and a tight vest.

It was even greater for them to cheer me on as I did laps of the hospice’s car park, something chief photographer Mike Boden insisted was an ‘integral’ part of my training.

That snap certainly generated some interest in St Rocco’s very worthy cause, so maybe next year I’ll do a pose-for-a-cheesy-picture-athon instead.

Anyway, with only five weeks this Sunday until I’m posing for cheesy pictures in Prague, I’ve welcomed the slightly warmer weather when out training.

Returning to the not-so-sunny south to surprise my old dear for Mother’s Day, I took the opportunity to get out with a lad that will be my running partner in Prague.

In a bid to pale my efforts into insignificance, he is running three marathons and competing in an Ironman as part of a year of endurance in 2015. Cheers, Mike.

But we got out for an 18-miler through the Hertfordshire countryside on the Sunday morning and it was good to have some company on a long run.

I found my next one a little harder, making the most of the sunshine and what I thought would be a pleasant plod down the Bridgewater Canal – England’s first canal, I’m told – through Worsley and Monton heading in the direction of Altrincham and Lymm.

It’s a lovely route, and the weather was beautiful, I just encountered a gaggle of angry geese.

I’d forgotten how much I dislike geese, especially when they’re hissing at you – although it did make me run faster.

But passing them on the way meant I would have to face them again on my way home.

That was definitely the quickest 'mile 16' I've done so far in training.

Luckily I topped up my speed training on Tuesday with a 6x1200m session.

Anyway, all this picture-posing, goose-goading and mile-making is for a good cause; St Rocco's Hospice.

I, and of course they, their patients and patients' families, will be grateful for any support.

You can donate by clicking here.